Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1889-02-02
BUSINESS IN GENERAL.

r. G. Dun & Co. 3 Review of Trad
for the week ending January &c
"The state Of trade is unusually per
picking, for, with general complain
of dulness, there are evidences tina
the volume OF transactions is large
The payments through banks lasr
week were rs per cent. larger thar
for the corresponding week last yea
at New York, aud 16 per cent. larger
at all other cities, and, while speculs
ton in stocks and products account t.
for much of this increase, and another
part is but reflection of heavy bust.
ness done last fall, the gains appeared
at SO many cities, and are so large,
that the new transactions OF the week
can hardly have been below last years
mark. Railroad earnings also show
that traffic is large, though apparent.
ly but little in excess of last years.
The demand for money is sufficiently
active at nearly all interior points,
moreover, to indicate that u large
business is in progress. Yet it is un-
dsniable that the prevailing temper
is one OF disappointment at the results
of business since the new year began,
and this is not wholly explained by
the steadily declining prices of
products.
"The reports from commercial CEN
tres are far from gloomy. At South.
ern points, after some depression,
trade appears to be improving, and it
is hoped that the liquidation is about
over. In the Northwest trade is fully
equal to that of last year, and at
some points clearly larger, and even
where complaints of present inactivi-
ty are heard, there is much confidence
that business will be excellent when
the effects of unreasonable weather
have passed. The supply of money
seems to be everywhere ample for
legitimate demands, and while col
lections are rather dull, or but fairly
satisfactory at many points, the com.
plants are on the whole rather fewer
than usual. The open winter has
prevented such sales as were expected
by many small! dealers, and so deferred
settlements, but there are no indica,
tions Of general unsoundness, or over,
straining Of commercial credits.
"Much of the existing disappoint.
ment is undoubtedly due to the arrest
Of railroad building and the stoppage
of wheat exports, which are traceable
to speculative influences. In the great
iron industry, consumption for all
other than railroad purposes appears
to be larger than ever; but there is
serious disturbance, because fully a
third of the former enormous demand
for rails has ceased. In consequence,
the Iron Age reports Il general weak
ening,' which there is no use in
blinking at and holds that furnaces
which cannot face without serious
loss decline of fully 81 from present
prices may wisely suspend production.
At Western points Southern iron is
offered at prices equivalent to $12 at
Birmingham, which is considered
equal to $l7 for Pennsylvania iron;
and large sales are reported at prices
below published quotations. Last
year deliveries of rails we're but l.
100000 tons, about GO per cent. Of
the capacity of the works.
"In the financial world there has
been no disturbance, though a small
shipment of gold to Europe, and
large defalcation by a financial agen.
Of leading insurance company, have
occurred. The supply of money here
increases, both by remi.tanoes from
the interior, and by excess OF Treas.
ury disbursements over receipts, which
reached 81, 100000 for tire week. The
foreign trade at this port continues to
improve, and while imports thus far
this year exceed last years by 4 per
cent, the exports of merchandise
from New York show a gain OF IL
per cent. for three weeks. Lower
foreign exchange would naturally re.
suit, bu. for the weakness in stocks,
and the sales of securities on foreign
account. But with many depressing
events and reports the atock ma RI et