Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-12-20
State OF TRADE.
General Business Affected by the
Money Stringency and Strikes.
Railroad Earnings Incrcased-Large EN-
ports Of Whcat-S tuatIous of Manu-
featuring Industries-- Failures.

Railroad Earnings Incrcased-Large Ex-
ports Of Whats tuations of Manu-
featuring Failures.
Special kilograms to Bradstrect's record a
quite general restriction of the volume of trade
Throughout the country, in large part due, Of
course, 10 the season of the year. The fact,
however, remains that the prolonged string
ency in the Eastern money market is begin
ming to have an effect elsewhere, and at points
where no scarcity Of funds had previously
been noted moneys now quoted close and dis
count rates in some cases have advanced from
to per cent. Mercantile collections are
reported slow, more frequently than other
wise.
Stock values have covered from the depres-
sion due to renewed financial pressure at the
opening of TIE week Speculation is narrow,
and conservative interests seem to discourage
| activity, pending financial and railroad de-
velopments The expectation of favorable
bank statement, the fact that next week
steamers bring S5,001,0CO or more gold from
abroad, and above all the meetings of the
Western railroad presidents to ratify new
and effective agreement, created favorable
sentiment and resulted in nm advance, in spite
of the narrow condition oil the market.
MONEY SOMEWHAT EASIER.
At Boston and New York funds on call have
been easier since the shipment of gold from
abroad to this country. But not so much
change is noted at Philadelphia. except that
the banks charge 4 per cent. less when loan
ing to regular customers than in other cases.
Low rates for sterling exchange have been a
feature. but they came at time when there
was little demand for commercial bills.
The cotton tralr at Memphis and New Or
leans has been checked Trade is now said to
be smaller in volume at Chicago, st. Louis.
/ New Orleans, San Francisco Omaha and Du-
luth owing to arrangement in the money
market The general industrial situation is
less quiet owing TO number OF large strikes,
notably among coal miners thread mill hands
and leather workers. There are eighteen
strikes involving 10 1896 persons, reported so far
in December, more shan double the number
in December, 1882.
Worsted factories at Philadelphia are act.
lively engaged, but wopl and hides are duler
and SLOW demand. Hog products and live
stock have very generally declined in price
! Wheat has been irregular and &c higher.
| Available stocks have begun to decline, drop
ping l07, 700 bushels last week. 1t is officially
reported that there were 20000000 bushels 81
wheat, in and out of producers hands, in Cali
fornia on December l.
BANK CLEARINGs SLIGHTLY DECREASED.
Bank clearings at ffty-four cities for the
week. are II lSo, 2S3, 05S, a fractional decrease
| from this week last year. New York city's
clearngs, which constitute G1.7 per cent. OF
| the grand total, are less than those for same
period last year by 5 per cent.
November's gross railway earnings show
larOar il, than did tlnSa IF of ,ai
months of this year in percentages ofincreas,
over 1889. There are fewer decreases til
month than last, and the sum of losses is moi
as large Large gains are also numerous. The
total earnings of l4J roads for November az
gregate Sll ,Sll ,791, gain over last year OF
4.5l per cent. The total mileage reported is
81 .33 J. II gain over last year of 30 per cent
The earnings of 1877 roads for eleven month,
aggregate SilSS6 l0l0, gain over last year o
S.75 per cent, which in turn gained per cen
! over Is s.
LARGE WHEAT EXPORTS.
| Exports of wheat -four included) from botf
coasts OF the United States are increasing
while available stocks are decreasing. This
week exports equal 2,64l.079 bushels, agalns
2,4S7, 463 bushels last week, and :, AL 2l6 bush
els in the second week of December, 1889
| More than one-half went abroad in the form
of -four and more than one-third ofthe Who'll,
went from the Pacific Coast.
Tot Il expor since July I, equal As 607 90
bushels, against AZ ,323lO0 in like share o
1889, 4, 81 ,Gl9 bushels in 1888, and 20. 255, 90
in corresponding portion OF 1887. Hour ex
port surplus for lS90-9l is not to exceed 5000
] coo bushels, there remain availabe tot, toreigI
shipment only IS 400, 600 bushels ofwheat be
/ tween the present time ard July 1, 1871.
THE DRY GOODS TRADE.
Dry goods are in bctween-seasous demand