The Washington critic., 1890-03-10
NO MATERIAL ALTERATION.
Trado Still Dull, but the Monetary
Situation Improved

Trade Still Dull, but the Monetary
Situation Improved.
The state of trade has not materially
altered during the past week, accord
ing to II. G. Dun & Co. IS weekly review
of trade, though the change Of weather
has produced much temporary improve
ment in some lines, and in others trade
is rather less satisfactory than a week
ago. The monetary situation is much
more satisfactory, notwithstanding the
fact that the cash actually held by the
Treasury is S3,200,000 more than last
week, for rates on call here have de-
Clined from 5 to 81 per cent, and for.
, cign exchange has risen from $4.S5s to
&4SGi. Tie interior money markets
arc generally steady, but on the whole
rather more easy.
At Boston there is still, and is eX-
pccted to be, some pressure until April,
but the feeling is better, and CONNER
Cial paper commands about per cent.
AT Philadelphia the situation is sub
stantially the same, but there appears
10 be more stringency. Money is un-
changed at Chicago, fairly active at
10 at ST. Louis and at Pittsburg,
rather abundant though the demand is
large at Cleveland, easy at St. Paul and
Omaha, in good demand at Detroit at
z, and steady at that rate at Milwau-
kee, the demand at Kansas City being
only moderate. The decrease in actual
circulation outside the Treasury in the
month of February was $10,276, 1858,
and this. with the further absorption
this month by the Treasury, indicates
less active commercial demand.
The aspect of foreign trade does not
chance, as exports at New York still
Exceed those of last year little, while
the imports have not of late shown an
increase. The volume of domestic
trade appears well sustained, with gen.
cral encouragement noted at Boston
and ST. Paul, a satisfactory distribution
in all seasonable lines at st. Louis, a
good jobbing trade at Omaha and
building operations more than double
those of last year, though storms check
retail trade; quiet at Milwaukee and
Kansas City, and at Chicago improve
ment over last year in grain and meats,
with dry goods trade about equal to
last years, and clothing trade only fair
in volume.
At Philadelphia groceries are quiet,
with small sales, though collections
have remarkably improved; the boot
and shoe trade is healthy. and stocks
carried are not generally large, but the
leather trade shows some falling off and
is less encouraging, prices being not
satisfactory; wool is dull, and manu-.
facturers are working on orders only
and buying only for present needs, but
in dry goods and clothing there is
better feeling than was expected, the
Southern trade having noticeably i'm.
proved. - Boston also notes improve
ment in clothing on Western orders,
liberal sales of cottons, and fair de.
mand for leather. with improvement in
boots and shoes, and good trade in
lumber.
The wooden manufacture does not ap.
Dear TO have changed much in condi.
lion or prospects, though better sales of
heavy weights are noted at Boston
while lighter goods are quiet Sales of
wool there are larger, 1855, 800 for the
week, with prices unchanged, and it is
thought bottom has been touched, but
prices are depressed at Philadelphia,
aud the early expectation of new and
large supplies leads holders to make
concessions. In the iron trade also the
situation has not materially improved,
and at Pittsburg prices are lower
At Philadelphia mill irons are weaker,
but foundry steady, and while stocks
are not supposed to be large, the buying
is light and orders in sight are rapidly
decreasing. In bar there is little more
inquiry. but prices of plates are shaded.
The demand for sheet iron is unusually
good, and for nails trife better. The
window. glass trade is active, and q
fourth advance in prices within three
months has been ordered but flint
glass works at Pittsburg are curtailing
production. The coal trade is not bet
Ter, and entirely in buyers favor; while
copper and tin have been rather weaker
and lead in scanty supply and stronger
Little can be said Of the market foI
breadstuffs, for, notwithstanding q
spasm of activity one day in wheat,
raising sales here for the week TO 80,
100000 bushels, the price is but quar-
fer of a cent lower than week ago.
Corn is unchanged. but oats II cents
higher. Cotton has also advanced a
-,OeuIh, receipts being smaller, with