Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-27
BUSINESS REVIEW
TRADE SAID TO Bs IN A VERY SATISFACTORY
CONDITION
Considering the Snow and the Distractions Of the
Holiday SsasOn-NO Special Improvement
in Iron-A Crisis Imminent in the
Steel Rail Industry.

NEW York, December 2G.-R. G. Dun
q Co.'s weekly review Of trade says:
business has progressed AZ well as could
be expected in a week broken by Christ
mas holidays and great snow storm.
Railroad earnings thus far reported for
December showed gain of about four
per cent. over those of same week last
year. Foreign trade is very heavy in
spite of causes which were expected 10
insure material decrease. The uncer-
tainty in regard to monetary legislation
and its possible effects are still the great
obstacle. but even this has less disturb
ing influence than it had week or two
ago, as the prospect of unwise action
seems more remote, and the money
markets have generally grown easier
during the past week
Reports from other cities disclose nc
important change in the condition oil
trade. Wholesale business naturally
slackened is quiet at this point of the
wear and the indisposition to act j:
rather increased by the tardiness OF
collections. But at Boston prospects
are considered better for trade in
woolens and cotton goods. Conditions
at other cities have been not essentially
different, though at Pittsburg BeSSe-
mcr iron has sold ut Sl6.25, the lowest
price for the year, and all pig iron Is at
bottom prices. Manufactured iron Is
in fair demand and rails unchanged
The flint glass trade Is quite
active with fewer hands idle than for
months past, and OF window glass
trade is fair. At other points a further
expectation of improvement after Jan
nary lSt is general. though trade Is
ouiet in wholesale lines but fully up to
last years mark. Vt points in the
| Northwest the monetary situation seems
rather better. Reports from the South
also indicate small Improvement. Man
ufacturers at Louisville are fully en-
ployed though money is very close.
Trade at Atlanta improves, while cot
ton is moving satisfactorily with re-
cepts exceeding last year.
While the situation OF the iron and
steel industry shows no improvement,
/ the fact that the closing weeks OF the
year are passing without any serious
setback, gives encouragement. There
! is anxiety rs to the demand which may
appear with the new year, since 1t Is
generally perceived that many works
must remain idle for time unless there
is a decided increase in consumption.
But for most finished products the con
sumption is even so great that in any
previous year il would have been con
sdered emincntly satisfactory. The
exception is the steel rail business, IN
which crisis and destructive compe'
ttion seem imminent, proviS
ional agreement, made during
the past week in this city
having been defeated by the refuSa
of an eastern mill TO sign. The woolei
manufacture is clearly enjoying Il
larger demand for most products since
Iimuortations were checked. but aS ye'
no considerable improvement in prices
has been found practicable. On the
whole labor has never been more iuiIN
employed than in the latter part o.
1890. The monetary situation grow
more satisfactory bec-Sise Treasury uls
lburSmentS continue and arrivals OF gol1
have given aid, and the enormous eX
cess of merchandise exports over I'm
ports is felt. There has not been mucl
activity in speculation this week
though corn has fallen 2l4c, oats lc
but wheat is &c higher. coffee &c
The stock market has been left to th'
professionals, who have chosen to d(
but little until the new year has begun
The business failures during the las
seven days number 333, compared witt
4Oi last week, and the same week las
year 2ss.