The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-22
Trade in the East.

But for one thing, the business reports
received this week would be exceptionally
satisfactory. Among all the reports re-
ceived, there is not one that does not men
ton the mild, open and unreasonable
weather as accounting for some depression
in one or more branches of business. The
effect is especially marked in the clothing
trade, which has not wholly recovered
from the unfavorable results of the last
open winter, and at Philadelphia it begins
to be feared that some misfortunes will
occur unless good winter weather comes
soon. The trade in wooden goods, and in
heavy boots and shoes, is also retarded.
On the other hand, there is some compen-
satiou in the fact that the open weather has
enabled building operations to be carried
on longer than usual, and the activity in
that large department is almost unprece-
denied at many points. The holiday trade
is Of unusual magnitude thus far, indicat-
ing that the millions have had prosper
GUS year, and are inclined to spend freely
Trade at Boston is, on the whole, very
good, and for December thus far fully equal
to that of last year The wholesale trade
in cottons Is hardening as to prices, and
while heavy woolens thus far opened are
at last years quotations, the most popular
and best makers are not yet offered, and in
them some advance is still hoped for. The
boot and shoe trade is satisfactory, with all
available factories employed. Philadel-
phia carpet mills are also full, but at prices
which leave narrow margins, and wool
manufacturers are working on short time.
The grocery trade there largely exceeds
last years at firm prices. AT Chicago, the
grain trade exceeds last years, the trade
cheese quite doubled, while there is some
decline in hides, and heavy decrease in
wool. The feeling is confident, and such
depression as appears is considered tenn
porary. In nearly all lines business is
large at st. Louis; the steady increase in
clearings has continued for months, and the
organization of new national bank, with
the reorganization of three of the larger
banks under the national law and with in
creased capital, indicates business expan-
sion. Except in North Central Arkansas
and Southeast Missouri, collections are I'M
usually easy. AT Milwaukee, Omaha, St.
Paul, and other western points, while
weather affects the retail trade, prospects
are good, and except in localities about Mil
waukee, collections are called fairly salts
factory.
The speculative markets have been
stronger, but show no unwholesome activ-
ity.
Fears Of monetary difficulty have faded
away, but the market has not grown easy
as yet, nor have reinforcements come from
any quarter. The east is in want of funds;
the west finds in phenomenal business
activity employment for the large amounts
sent hither, and the anticipated imports Of
gold from Europe do not yet arrive.
The business failures occurring through
out the country during the last seven days,
as reported to R. G. Dun & Co., number,
for the United States $780, and for Canada
80, or a total Of 300, as compared with a
total of 3l6 last week. and 249 the week
previous to the last. For the correspond
ing week of last year the figures were 3O3,
made up Of 26S in the United States, and 80
in Canada.