The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-20
TRADE LESS CONFIDENT.
ANXIETY AS TO FINANCIAL LEGIS-
LATTON THE CA Sc.

Everybody Waiting to Learn What
Congress VIII Do-Complaints of
Slow Collections General-A Gain in
Exports Stocks Still Wavering in
the Balance.
New YORK, Dec. 19.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
weakly review of trade says: Business
continues large for the season. but.there is
a perceptible loss of the feeling Of conf
dencs. The causes appear to be:
81. The prospect of important monetary
legislation, the effects of which are not
clearly ioresesn.
SO. Frequent failures and greater Official
ties in making collections.
SO. Less satisfactory conditions in some
large branches of industry.
Probably more people are affected as to
business undertakings, often unconsciously,
nv uncertainty about the financial legisla-
ton and its effects than by any other cause.
Though the rate for money on call is lower
than q week ago, and money is easier at
Boston and Philadelphia, there is still
stringency at most points throughout the
country.
SLOW COLLECTIONS.
Complaints of slow collections have
rarely D6en IAOTo Rcu6fdl, dHu IN many
cases settlements can be made only with
notes or rene ais. But in all quarters there
is hope that after Jan. l things may i'm
prove in this respect.
Foreign influences are not now disturb
ing. Large amounts of gold are arriving,
though exchange has now advanced so as to
prevent shipments, and the Bank of England
has lost $2,270,OO0 gold without changing
its rate.
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
"The exports Of products Tor the two
weeks of December from New York show
gain of per cent. over last year, and the
total last December was hardly ever sur
passed, Though the imports continue
heavy, they are greatly exceeded by the ex>
ports at present, and in November more
than $40, 900. 600, although in that month
the exports of cotton, breadstuffs. provis-
ions. cattle and oil showed decrease of
S5,000.000, or per cent. from last year
The exports of cotton thus far this month
exceed last years, as do also those of pro-
visions but there is a heavy decrease for
grain, caused by the speculative prices
here.
THE STOCK MARKET.
''Foreign trading in securities does not
favor this country, partly because of ap-
prehen led legislation on the money ques-
ton. and partly because the new agreement
complete. though excellent results are ex-
pected If it can be perfected. Thus the
stock market. though shade stronger, has
been dull and lacks confidence.
TRADE AT THE SOUTH
"Trade at the south is fair at most points
reporting is considered healthy at New Or
leans, with larger cotton receipts; dull az
Memphis, but more confident at Little
Rock; slightly improved at Montgomery
Jacksonville, and at Atlanta the accumula-
tions of cotton are large. Money is very
close at all points.
"At Chicago money is firm, but the regu-
lar business is supplied. Pittsburg reports
more confidence. trade In manufactured
iron and in glass slower and bessemer
blooms lower.
IN NEW ENGLAND.
Eastern cities feel the effects of expected
legislation and recent failures, but also of
the present monetary relief. AT Boston
wool sells more largely. and also leather.
Though money is easier at Phil
adelpnia, noteworthy feature is the
general difficulty of collections, especially
III iron. paints, oils, jswelry and glass. The
anthracite coal trade is denaoralizsd. Iron
shows no improvement at Philadelphia or
here, and sales are reported at SIC IS for
northern No. l and SIC 50 for southern,
S27 for rails and Is cent for bar.
THE DRY GOODS BUSINESS
"The dry goods trade feels the influence
OF recent failures and of the stringency in
commercial loans. The trade in cotton
goods is not 80 large as: usual and though
print cloths are down to ceats, for the first
time for several years, the stocks
on hand are 100000 pieces. The
trade in woolen dress goods has been
encouraging, and there is no evidence of
failure in distribution, aud the knit goods
trade has had an exceptional season, but
other WOODEN goods are much affected by
caution or the inability of clothing houses,
and by failures in that branch
I'm the speculative markets the tendency
has generally been downward. All are hest
tatlng with feeling that monetary legisla-
tlon will definitely alter the situation. Hence
largely increased immediate supplies of
money. by imports of gold and treasury
disbursement, have less effect than might
be expected.
The failures of the week number 363,
compare with 3O6 for the sauna time Last