The Helena independent., 1890-12-28

HELENA SUNDAY y
THE TRADE REVIEW.
Business Large But Perceptibly Less
Feeling Of Confidence.
New YoRK, Deu. 9O.-Business continues
large for the season but there is perceptibly
less feeling OF confidence. The causes ap-
pear to be: a. prospect of important none:
tary legislation. the effects Of which are
not clearly foteseen; (2) frequent failures
and greater difficulties in making collec-
tions; and (3) less satisfactory conditions
in some large branches Of industry. Prob
ably more people are affected as to business
undertakings, often unconsciously, by un-
certainty about financial legislation and Its
effects, than by any other cause. Though
the rate for money ON call .is lower than y
week ago, and money ID easier at Boston
and Philadelphia there ia still stringency
at most points throughout tho country.
been more general, and in many cases set
Elements can be made only with notes or
| rem ewals. But in all quarters there is hope
that after Jan. things may improve in this
respect, if legislative prospects do not mean
while cause greater shrinkage of credits and
curtailment OF purchases.
Foreign influences are not now disturb
ing. Large amounts OF gold are arriving,
though exchange has now go advanced as
to prevent shipments. having risen two
cents this week, and the bank of England
lost g.. 900 gold without changing it's
-. .l.-- T.
December from New York show q gain of
eight per cent over last year. and the total
last December was hardly ever surpassed.
Though imports continue heavy, they are
greatly exceeded by exports at present, and
in November more than $40 O.OOO. 600, al
though in that month exports of cotton,
showed decrease Of S5,oss. "a. or I seven
per cent from last year. Exports of cotton
thus far this month exceed last years, and
also of provisions, but there is a heavy de-
crease in grain caused by speculative prices
here. Foreign trading in securities does
not favor this country, partly because OF
tion, and partly because the new agreement
of western railroads is supposed to be in
complete, though excellent results are ex-
pected if it can be perfected. Thus the
stock market, though shade stronger. has
been dull aud lacks confidence.
reporting, considered healthy at New Or
leans with larger cotton receipts. dull at
Memphis, but more confident at Little
Rock, slightly improved at Montgomery
and good at Nashville, less confident at
Jacksonville, and at Atlanta accumulations
all points, banks helping customers rs fur
as they can, but collections are not average.
Across the Mississippi 50. Louis has colder
weather, favoring all lines of trade, but at
Kansas City holiday trade is below average,
at Denver trade is only fair, at Salt Lake
improving some, at Omaha fair. at Mime
apolis steady for lumber and improving in
prices for -four, and at st. Paul confidence
Is returning. Collections in this region are
at most points fair. At Chicago receipts of
wheat and wool are q third below last years,
of hides larger, and of other products about
the same, sales of merchandise exceed last
years, money is firm but regular business
mediate future. At Milwaukee and Detroit
trade is good, at Cleveland fair, and at
Cincinnati very quiet in wholesale lines.
PittsburR reports more confidence. trade IN
iron and in glass slower, and
Bessemer blooms lower; hunks are less ap-
preheneive but cautious. 4s..ss-t e.
Eastern cities feel the effect of expected
legislation and recent failures, but also of
present monetary relief. Confidence i'm
proves at Boston and sales of merchandise;
wholesale dry goods are quiet, but retail
active, wool sells more largely, and also
an advance of 81 to 81 per case. Though
money is easier at Philadelphia. the note
worthy feature is the general difficulty of
collections especially in iron, paints, oils,
jewelry and glass. Trade is falr in all there
lines. and glass plates are sitter, but lower
prices are expected in wool, and the demand
for tobacco is light. The anthraclte coal
trade is 'demoralized andsrestrictions of
output do not restrict, q general breakup
of the combination being apprehended.
Iron shows no improvement at Philadel-
phia or here, and sales are reported at
$l6.75 for northern No. l, and $l6.5O for
F.. o lt' Or !, $27 fer rails and Scents for bar.
1 ne Dc manu- for finished products general
ly is Stacker, and closing of more furnaces
is likely to be forced. Copper is unsettled,
Lake having sold at Is cents. but tin is a
shade stronger at 20.S5 cents and lead at
40.
The dry goods trade feels the influence of
mercial loans. Trade III cotton goods is
not SO large rs usual, and though print
cloths are down to three cents. the first
time for several years. stocks on hand are
200 pieces. Trade in woolen dress goods
has been encouraging. and there is no evi-
knit goods trade has had an exceptional
season, but other WOODEN goods are much |
affected BY caution or inability Of clothing |
houses and by the failures in that branch. |
In the speculative markets the tendency |
has generally been downward, though |
wheat is 4 cents higher than a week ago
in spite of phenomenally small exports and |
stocks. Corn is 21s cents /!
lower, pork rs cents per barrel hogs 45 cents |
per 100 lbs, and oil fraction lower. Cot
ton and coffee are unchanged for the week. !
But it is noteworthy that the speculative |
markets are all hesitating, in the feeling |
that monetary legislation may indefinitely |
alter the situation. Hence largely increased
supplies Of money, by imports
Of gold and treasury disbursements, have
less effact than might be expected.
The business failures occurring through
out the country during the last seven days,
ss reported to Il. g. Dun d Co., the mer-
camille agency, by telegraph, number. for
The United States, 363, and for Canada,
torty-One, or total of 4O4, as compared
with 374 last week. and 3l2 the week prsvi-
BUS to the last. For Che corresponding
week of last year the figures were 342. rep
3O6 failures in the United States,
md thirty six In the Dominion of Canada.
allEEz|!!l E!l lgl !