The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-01-18
DuN.s REPORT.

Some Interesting Information ON Matters
That Have an Important Bearing ON
Future Business.
NEW YORK, Jan. 12-R. g. Dun & Co.'S
weekly review Of trade SAYS: Events Of
unusual importance during the past week
have helped the Improvement of business.
The agreement Of railroad presidents, IL
signed by the companies at the West,
which thus far hold of, will give substan.
tial reason to hope for better era in rail.
way management. Not the least inn
portant feature Of the arrangement il
that bankers Of large influence commit
themselves, in case the compact 10
signed, to refuse their countenance or
aid to the negotiation Of securities for new
competing lines or extensions where any
OF the railroads agreeing to the compact
object. The report of the Interstate
Commission shows that on 20, 900 miles of
road, for the year ended June 30, 1888,
the stock and bonds were of equal par
value, but on 51H per cent. of the stock no
dividend was paid, and on 20 per cent. Of
the bonds no interest, while the propor-
ton paying less than per cent. was So
PER cent. Of the stock and q per cent. Of
the bonds "a
The decision Of Judge Barrett, holding
that the sugar trust is illegal and void and
in effect the dissolution Of the companies
taking part therein, is Of large importance
In many branches of business. The prin-
cIples Of the decision would apply to very
many Of the combinations for the purpose
of controlling production and prices by
which legitimate trade has of late teen so
much disordered. No change occurs as
yet in prices Of sugar and 1t may be pre-.
mature to suppose that other forms Of
agreement, escaping the legal objections
found in this case, may not continue to
control markets.
There are signs in Europe that the cop
per trust Is trying to cast upon the public
part of its accommodating load. through the
organization of copper bank. The com.
bination in coffee has not prevented a de.
cline of a quarter in price and speculation
in hogs and lard has tended toward lower
figures Another lull in wheat has oc.
Cured, the price closing IL cents lower
for the week, exports being still arrested.
Corn fell IL cents and oats advanced
nearly cent with cotton strong.
The monthly statement of iron furnaces
in blast indicates production much the
the largest ever known, the weekly output
of anchracite from Janunry 1, being 142 243
tons, against 136. 627 month ago, and Ill.
3)7 year ago. For the past year the pro-
duction is estimated at g. 500. 900 gross tons.
The enormous supply makes the market
duller than usual for the season, as few
are disposed to purchase beyond inn
mediate needs, and stocks at some furnaces
are accommodating. In the rail market no
change is reported and no considerable
transactions; the demand for bar iron is
somewhat improved and $1.sO is quoted
for the best refined.
The coal trade is very dull and the re.
striction OF output is now so far enforced
that the record for the last week of De.
cember was only 437, 49, TONS For the
year 1888 the output of anthracite was
3,s11, 119 tons.
In the wool trade the demand Is not.
large, but prices are firmly held in the be.
lief that stocks are scarce and that manu-.
facturers will in time be forced to buy
largely. Cotton goods are in better de-
mand ut steady or improving prices, and
the decrease in port receipts of raw cotton
for a day or two is hailed with satisfaction
by operators for an advance. The ex-
ports in December were $4,000, 600
pounds aga;:st 31s oen go for the same.
pehth In 1887, the avefage export price
being about the same. OF oil the exports
were but $4,000, 900 gallons against 50,5O0,-
SEQ gallons the previous year.
Sales In speculative markets have been
small during the past week, and the gen.
efal tendency OF prices for commodities as
q whole is still downward. But there Is
hardly any complaint Of monetary search
ty, as in all quarters the money markets
appeared to be fairly supplied for all
legitimate business and the rates of in
terest on strictly good paper not higher
than usual. The treasury holds about
$751; 900, 900 less cash than it did q
week ago, and at present appre-
tensions of gold exporters are lessened
by heavy exports of merchandise. but the
imports are also unusually large. The
money market here is lower than a week
ago. and the feeling of confidence in the
financial and commercial future is still
mistaken.
The business failures throughout the
country during the last seven days. as re-
ported Friday, number for the United
States, 25l; for Canada, 81, a total Of 3s1.