Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-19
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TIE pTsPATcH.l

New YORK, January 1S.-Ten out Of
fifteen telegraphic advices to BrddStreet's
from the larger distributing centers report a
noticeable improvement in the movement OF
general trade. Exceptional delay has been
caused by the unusually mild weather,
which promises to be offset by lower tenn
perature at an early date. There are evil
dences of an increased volume of trade in
some lines at Boston, New York, Philadel-
phia, Louisville, Memphis, Chicago, St.
Paul, Minneapolis, Omaha, st. Joseph,
Kansas City and St. Louis, particularly
with jobbers of drygoods, groceries, hard
ware, drugs, and at Western centers among
agricultural implement dealers to some ex-
tent.
With few exceptions mercantile collec-
tions are no easier. Interior roads are
heavy in Southern Texas, restricting trade.
The Louisiana sugar and rice crops are
practically marketed, and country trade is
quiet, owing to this being the planters con-
tracing season. General store stocks in
Missouri and Kansas are said to be very
light. Lack OF snow in Northern New En-
gland has restricted the movement of logs,
and lumber is flrmer. Receipts of cattle
and hogs at western points are heavier, and
prices are lower with weaker markets. Pork
and lard respond 10 these conditions. Corn
and oats are fractionally higher, but -four,
in sympathy with wheat is &c to 10c lower
Petroleum Is 21<c lower, and coal is quiet
and unchanged.
SPECULATION CHECKED.
Fears that very unfavorable results will be
shown by some expected railroad reports
check the other bullish elements in the
speculative situation. Atchison stock has
been weak, and the New York market
shows an unsteady tendency. Bonds are
strong and active, and investments are in
good demand. Money at New York is
plentiful, and rates are becoming even
easier on stock requirements. Call loans 215
as. Foreign exchange is a shade higher
on the scarcity of bills. Demand sterling,
81 SSK to 81 8S15. The total bank clear
ingS at 40 cities reported to BrddStreet'S this
week are 81 116 706, 516 against 81 ,0S9, AS C65
last week, and S915, ,539, ,92S in the third
week of January, 1888, gain of ~ per
cent on the week, and % per cent on the
year
The industrial situation does not improve
but compares very favorably with January,
1885, There have been thus far in January
80 strikes, involving G, ,S65 men, against 60
strikes involving Sc, 600 men 600 in the
Reading strike), ir 1885, OF the 6,S65
strikers this month 5000 are accounted for
by the coal miners strike in West Virginia
and the cigarmakers' strike in New York
CITY, There were 659 strikes reported to
BradStreet'S in 1888, involving 247 ,S4I en- |
ployes, in 1887, decrease OF 225 in the !
number of strikes and 49,, ,944 in number of |
strikers.
1t is estimated that the total United King |
dom supplies of wheat since September l, 4
have been sufficient to increase stocks there |
to S34, 600 bushels, allowing for 4, 600 900 |
bushels weekly consumption. The outlook /
is for stocks larger than the normal aver
age on April l next. The United States /
Government. report of 10000, 900 bushels |
more wheat in the 1888 crop than had been |
announced in previous reports together |
with the large stocks abroad-''too much /
wheat''-broke the whea: market 81 cents.
Exports of wheat (and -four as wheat), |
from both coasts this week equal 1 ,301, 900
bushels, against 1,6S2 600 bushels last week,
and 2 230, 600 bushels one wear ago. The /
aggregate exports, both coasts, from July
to date, are 81, ,2S3, 900 bushels, against So
125, 900 bushels in a like share of 1SS7-S8.
The bulk of all the wheat going abroad con-
tinues TO be from San Francisco and Port
land, Ore.
DULLNESS IN GRAIN
The increased production of iron furnaces
has had its normal effect at this, period of
special duIlness, that of driving off buvers
who prefer to wait and see whether raw iron
prices will not sag under the weight of ac-
stocks. Pig iron in all direc-
tions is weaker. Late contracts are 25 per
cent under highest quotations of last au-
tumn. Steal rails are tending from S2S to
S27 per ton at Eastern mills. Drygoods are
in steady but moderate demand at New
York and Boston. Print cloths are one
sixteenth of a cent higher on good demand
and very small stocks. The higher price of
.hese goods induces a firm tone In prints
Discounts are short, with talk of an advance
general among manufacturers. Other cot
on goods are as a whole firm, with colored
,ottons relatively weakest Leading lines
,f fancy cassimeres opened this week with
IN advance of 21Z(G5 per cent The bulk
# the offerings however, are at old quota
ions, with the chief activity therein. For
ign dress goods are in active movement on
previous orders at New York. Foreign |
yool is slightly more active. Prices are un-
hanged. Raw cotton is fairly active at an
dvance Of one-sixteenth of a cent on the
week.
Raw sugar has ruled weak, notwithstand-
ng importers held aloof from the market.
Foreign markets (notably Brazil and Cuba)
IRE dull and depressed in spite of rumored
(, ,000-ton shortage in the Brazil export sur
'lus. Eastern refners scout the report that {
Claus Spreckels has secured the entire
Philippine Island crop. Refined is quiet
,ut steady. At New Orleans and San Fran :
isco it is fractionally lower. Speculative :
rading in coffee has been in smaller volume
lere and in Europe, yet the sales in iobbing
AVE been heavier at frmer prices. Rio
quotations are up about an eighth of !
ent
Business failures reported to Bradstreet's
lumber 358 in the United States this week,
gainst 357 last week and 308 this week last
ear. Canada had AZ this week, against %
asst week. The total of failures in the
United States January to date is 9S1,
gainst 913 in 1888.