Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-05-03
State OF TRADE.
Widespread Improvement Noted Ex-
cept in the Flooded Districts.


The Critical Situation In the industrial
World, Owning TO the Eight-Hour
Observation-Disclosures Exports.
Special teiegramst to Bradstreet's indicate ex-
cept in the lower Mississippi Valley, that there
has been a widespread improvement in the
distribution of general merchandise. Thish
been aided by nearly fortnight Of seasonable
weather. Jobbing fairly active in dry goods,
groceries, hardware, and boots and shoes
through the East, the Central West, South.
west, West and Northwest, and is backed by
an increase in the retail and re-assortmentde.
mand Interior roads are ia q better condition
than they have been for long time and mer-
camille collections at several Western centres
are reported to be easier for the first time in
some months.
Special returns from Louisiana report that
Mississippi River leyeeS are broken in thirty
places in that State; that fully one-fifth Of the
sugar and rice landsare, or will be, inundated
that the country trade is cut off and public
sentiment is demanding National instead Of
a State system of levees.
Upon the Pacific coast the San joaquin Val.
ley wheat crop promises TO equal the average
output there, but in the Sacramento Valley il
promises to be short. There is only one olsen
gagged wheat ship on the Pacific coast.
The industrial situation grows more threat
ening as the first of May approaches. AtChi-
eago 10000 packing house employees in adj
dition to harness makers, clothing workers.
gas filters, stair builders and other trades,
threaten to strike, in addition TO the 5000
already ON strike for an eight hour day. Strikes
of building hands are reported from Sharon,
Pa, New York, Brooklyn and Portland, Ore.
AT Boston, Lancaster, Pa, Birmingham, Ala,
and Milwaukee, strikes are expected on May
! of building hands. Employers nj Portland,
Me-, Philadelphia Pa, Louisville KY. In
dianapolis and Wheeling, w. Va, have con-
coded demands made There have been l26
strikes involving 2S 253 employees thus far in
April, against sixty-one strikes, involving l2,-
1893 employees in April last year. Since Jan
uary there have been 1903 strikes involving
S. 143 employees, against only 22i strikes, in
volving 1924 employees IN the first four
months of 1889,
Exports of merchandise in March aggre-
gated S72,607 ,4S1, and imports SoI, l53, 493,
showing gains over last year of respectively
and II per cent For three months exports
aggregated S2ls 296, 456, and imports, Sl93, 624,
1911 gain in exports over last year of per
cent. and decline in imports Of II per cent.
Pork in speculative lines has been pushed
up another 25c per barrel but lard futures
have reacted fully 1.3c Trading in hog pro-
ducts has been only moderately active. Wheat,
with free exports, fair speculative demand, and
short crop and low stock reports continue firm
and IL aisc higher. Indian corn, however, has
been in less active demand with free shipments;
is off 2a3c, while oats have reversed the usual
order and advanced sa2ae. There have been
freer orders for iron this week, and cut prices
at the South have been less frequent.
Wool, it is worth noting, has been in fairly
active request for the first time in year or
more, manufacturers actually buying for future
requirements But prices are as yet no higher.
Exports Of wheat land -four as wheat from
both coasts this week equal 2259530 bushels,
against ,204,975 bushels ia the like week OF
1889, and 2, 145, GAG bushels last week. The total
exported July to date is S7.705,570 bushels
against 1891 095 bushels in like share Of
lS8S-S9 The decrease in available stocks Of
wheat East of the Rocky Mountains last week
exceeds the record, amountingto nearly 3,200,-
600 bushels, against weekly average for the
ealindar year OF only 100000 bushels. The
decrease in stocks of Indian corn was also
heavy.
Business failures reported to Bradstreet's
number ia in the United States this week,
against 100 last week and 1sl this week last
year. Canada had IS this week against 20 last
week. The total number of failures in the
United States January TO date is 1905 against
4245 in a like portion Of 1889