Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-26
FICTITIOUS PRICES
Said to be the Result of the EXpan-
sion of Silver.
THE LABOR OUTLOOK OMINOUs
And the Comparative Number Of Strikes
Largely Increased.
TRADE NEVERTHELESS Is VERY FAIL

|
been widespread improvement in the dis
tribution of general merchandise. This has
been aided by nearly fortnight of season
able weather. Jobbing is fairly active in
drygoods, groceries, hardware and boots and
shoes throughout the East. thecentral West,
Southwest, West and Northwest, and is
backed by an inc rease in the retail and re-
assortment demand. Interior roads are in
better condition than they have been for a
long time and mercantile collections at sew
eral western centers are reported to be easier
for the first time in some months.
Special returns from Louisiana report
that the Mississippi river levees are broken
in 80 places in that State; that fully one
fifth of the sugar and rice lands are, or will
be, inundated; that the country trade is cut
off and public sentiment is demanding a
National instead of State system of levees.
On the Pacific coast the San Joaquin Valley
wheat crop promises to equal the average
output there, but in the Sacramento Valley
| it promises to be short
TIL INDUSTRIAL SITUATION oMINoUs.
There is only one disengaged wheat ship
on the Pacific coast Lumber remains ac-
tive and higher at Boston, Kansas City and
st. Louis, although labor tro ubles else
where are having some effect. The New
York stock market is active and excited on
the increasing prospects of silver leglsla-
ton. The industrial situation grows more
threatening as the first of May approaches.
At Chicago 20 900 packing-house employees,
in addition to harness makers, clothing
workers, gasftters stairbuilders and other
| trades, threaten TO strike, in addition to the
$4,000 already on strike for an eight-hour
day. There have been 126 strikes, involy-
ing 28,25S employees thus far in April,
against 81 strikes, involving II, 1913 en-
ployes in April last year. Since January
1 there have been 303 strikes, involving
&c, 142 employees, against only 221 strikes,
involving 1924 employees in the first four
months of 1889.
EXPORTS INCREASING.
Exports of merchandise in March aggre-
gated $72, COZ, ,481 and imports $67, ,154, 495,
showing gains over last year of respectively
| 8 and u per cent. For three months the
exports aggregated $218, 296, ,456 and imports
| S193, ,634, ,727, a gain in exports over last
year of z per cent and decline in imports
of ~ per cent
| Wool, it is worth noting, has been in
! fairly active request for the first time in
|
| ing for future requirements, but prices are
fair. Staple cottons are firm and print
cloths, bleached sheetings and denims are
higher in price, while other makes tend
higher. Cutting of prices by jobbers is
noted. Mems wear woolen goods are quiet,
while dress goods for fall wear are in better
demand. Raw cotton is 1-16@1sc higher
on good demand and light crop move
ment.
Sugar has not varied much in price or
demand, but coffee has continued its move
ment of last week. with another drop of
| A@2-5c. Pork in speculative lines has
been pushed up another 25c per barrel, but
lard futures have reacted fully Ac. Trad
| ing in hog products has been only moder-
ately active.
Wheat, with free exports, fair speculative
| demand, and short crop and low stock re-
ports, continues firm, and 19s@15sc higher.
| Indian corn, however, has been in less active
demand. and with free shipments is off 2@3c.
while oats have reversed the usual order and
advanced 2@274c.
IRON ORDERS FREER.
There have been freer orders for iron this
week, and cut prices at the South have been
less frequent. Exports of wheat (and flour
as wheat) from both coasts this week equal
| 2,259, $50 bushels, against 1904, ,975 bushels
in the like week of 1889 and 2.146, ,646
bushels last week. The total exported from
July to date is 81, ,705, $40 bushels, against
3,791 ,095 bushels in a like share of 188S-S9.
The decrease in available stocks of wheat
east of the Rocky Mountains last week ex-
ceeds the record, amounting to nearly 8, ,200,
900 bushels, against a weekly average for
the calendar year of only 1900, 900 bushels.
The decrease in stocks of Indian corn was
also heavy.
Business failures reported to BrddStreet's
number 174 in the United States this week,
against 166 last week and 181 this week last
year. Canada had 38 this week, against 90
last week. The total number of failures in
the United States from January to date is
4,O05, against 4, ,245 in like portion Of 1889.
DUN's WEEKLY REPORT.
R. G. Dun's weekly report SAYS: The
markets are all influenced by the prospect
of an increase in currency based On silver.
Silver has advanced about cents per
ounce, wheat ~ cents per bushel, oats 8
cents, coffee and oil "A cent each, cotton 1-16
cent, pork 25 cents per barrel, and stocks
have been stronger. The average of prices
for all commodities rose over 1 per cent
from the 10Th to the 22d, but has since de-
clined about half as much.
Trade reports this week are favorable, ex-
cepting from the region affected by the
almost unprecedented floods in the Missis-
sippi Valley. Three of the trunk lines are
interrupted, and their losses will be consid
erable. At Galveston trade is dull through
too much rain. Real estate is very active
because of the prospect of harbor improve
ment In Florida business is very dull
and no encouraging signs are perceived.
But at all Northern centers Of trade the
situation is very satisfactory; the volume of
business is large, and collections are fairly
prompt. While the money market is every
where fairly supplied, the demand at most
points is but moderate.
A FAIR OUTLOOK.
At Boston fair weather has stimulated all
trade; at Chicago the increase in business
extends to nearly all branches at st. Louis
distribution is fairly active, anG the north
western cities are all rejoicing in excellent
crop prospects. The iron and coal cities,
Philadelphia and Pittsburg, make less en-
couraging reports. but there also other
branches of trade are fairly active.
The iron business is more hopeful in tone
at Philadelphia but at Pittsburg the de-
cline In prices continues, and at New York |
Southern iron of the lower grades is still |
pressed for sale, with none offered, at SIT. |
Steel rails are weaker, and $33 is quoted, |
but bar iron is more active, though irregu-
lar and the demand for plates and struc-
tural iron is better. Statistics showing that |
the accumulation of coal in first hands has
been reduced since March have helpful |
influence.
No improvement is seen in the woolen |
manufacture and dearer cotton does not help |
the mills.
GRAIN EXPORTS LARGE.
The exports of grain continue large, not
withstanding the advance in prices and furn- |
ish the only reasonable excuse TOR that ad- |