Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-20
Business Rapidly Improving Crop Pros
poets of the Best.

NEW YORK, April 19.-R. q. Dun q
Co.'S weekly review of trade says: Most
of the indications usually considered OF
value point to a genuine improvement in
business-rather in volume of transac-
tons than in profit. Crop prospects
brighten steadily. Lower prices result in
largely increased expenditures. Money is
abundant, the treasury IS pouring out
freely and there are no signs Of pressure
from abroad Railroad earnings are in
creased and payments through banks easy.
Failures in some important branches OF
trade are numerous Collections are gen.
orally slower than usual.
The iron and lumber interests are en-
barrassed by production largely exceeding
the present demand. At Kansas City wet
weather has affected trade and collections
and at Pittsburg slow movement and
weakness in prices Of iron and steel
products glass and coal affect business gen.
orally, but at Cleveland more inquiry for
iron ore is reported and better feeling is
manifest.
The wool market waiting; the old sup
ply is nearly exhausted and new wool be-
ing not as yet available in quality, prices
are mostly nominal, but average for l04
grades and qualities nearly one cent lower.
The classification of wOrsted goods as
woolens by the appraiser at Philadelphia
has been endorsed by the board of APP
praisers, but it has no effect on the mark
cts as yet.
The direct influence of the depression in
iron and steel business is large, but it has
a still greater moral influence, because of
the current impression that the consump-
ton of iron affords reliable barometer of
the general condition of business. It's evil
dent that this impression must be modified
in some measure in times like
these, when the consumption
for rails has declined enormously.
A Chicago publication of mileage of all
the roads projected fails to stimulate iron
manufacturers, who are well aware how
many consumers are in the market to pur-
chase rails with bonds not otherwise mar
ketable But when the quantity of iron
made into rails is deducted, the remaining
consumption for all purposes this year eX-
ceeds that of last year by not far from
400, 900 tons per quarter, which is surely
not discouraging symptom. Prices are
low, however.
The over production of leather does not
appear to be caused by any shrinkage in
demand for finished products, since the
shipments Of boots and shoes are larger
than in any previous year, but the depres-
sion in price which has now continued
since 1850 and reached SO per cent is un-
precedented as to duration and the excess
OF prOuucClOn undoubtedly DeSluS 10 tlll-
barass many firms.
Cotton manufacturing is progressing
fairly with a consumption d little larger
than in any previous year, with print cloth
strong at BIS for sixty-fours. Copper has
fallen e3 los at London during the past
week and the projects for future control
of the markets co not yet materlallZe. Tin
has also declined to 20S9 cents, but lead is
strong at 3 g. cents.
Wheat is but a shade lower and corn a
little higher than a week ago The rapid
approach of another harvest with an inside
surplus in excess of all probable
demands which seems likely to be not faI
from 40000,00O bushels July is a sufficient
cause of depression in wheat.
The general average of brices are g
shade lower than a week ago Exports oil
merchandise improve, and for two weeks
of April have been 2019 per cent. larger
than last year.
The business failures number 246 as
against 239 last week, and 222 the week
previous: for the corresponding week Of
last year the figures were 1875