Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-13
BUSINESS REVIEW
TdE GENERAL OUTLOOK OF TRADE IS
MORE HOPEFUL
The Cold Weather in tie West Has Helped Com
me- rec COnsiderably-WOolen Manufacturers
Doing Better Than Year Ago-The Con-
di.ion Of Speculative Markets.

NEW YORK, December l2.-R. G. Dun
& Co.'S weekly review OF trade says:
The business outlook is more hopeful,
but the past disturbances and contnu-
ing uncertainty are felt in reduced
volume of business throughout the coun-
try, which, though slightly larger than
year ago, no longer shows the mater
ial increase until recently maintained.
The South reports fair business in spite
of the continuing decline in cotton.
At the West colder weather has helped
trade at Cincinnati, Detroit and some
other points. Chicago business con-
tinues much larger than last year, be-
ing little affected by Eastern troubles,
and the receipts OF most products show
Increase. At Plttsourg the worst is
thought to be over, and money and col
lections are easier, enough iron has de-
clined, and there is less demand for
manufactured products. Philadelphia
notes little improvement. Boston OBJ
serves improved demand for leather at
lower prices, and wholesale trades gen
orally are quiet.
Iron production increased in No
vember. reaching 1873, $40 tons De-
cember lst, gain OF nearly 5000 tons
for the month, and over $4,000 tons
compared with last year. Several new
and large furnaces have gone into blast,
but later dispatches show that within q
week number have stopped produc-
tions, and one Southern establishment
has failed. Quotations are lower, SIS
for Northern and SIPS for Southern
No. l, with rails lifeless and decidedly
less demand for bar iron and plates. 1t
seems clear, also, that stocks OF unsold
iron at furnaces are increasing, SO that
curtailment of production seems to be
unavoidable.
The wooden manufacture is doing de-
cidedly better than year or six months
ago, but heavy woolens open at last
years prices. Some overcoatings have
advanced to per cent, but others are
lower. Some grades of union cashmere
are , per cent higher, but the great ma
jority realize no advance, and there is a
waiting market for knit goods and Il
shrinking demand for OdrcSs goods,
though the plainest of the wool fabrics
command to ~ per cent above the
lowest prices of last year.
The speculative markets have not
been very active, bit wheat has risen
lie, corn 2j<, and oats = cent. Pork
products are unchanged. Oil is 2Ac
lower. Coffee 4 lower. The rise in
breadstufs is not sustained by foreign
demand. exports are falling far below
those of last year, week by week, nor
by prospects for the next crop, since
State reports show increased acreage OF
winter wheat, and excellent condition.
Treasury payments for bonds do not
yet appear in statements of cash, which
show no loss for the week. The most
significant fact is that a very large pro-
portion of money was taken in gold by
the sellers Of bonds, presumably for
withdrawal until uncertainties about
silver legislation have passed. The
commercial troubles outside of money
stringency are mainly due to eX-
ceSSive purchases made IN
anticipation of great rise
ia prices. Those who made such
purchases in the hellef that in spite OF
the expected prices, and the short crops
consumption would be as great as ever,
find themselves embarrassed by the dis
tinct shrinkage in the distribution OF
products to consumers.
The business failures occurring
throughout the country during the last
seven days number 3si, as compared
with total of 312 last week. For the
corresponding week OF last year the iig'
ures were 300.