The Portland daily press., 1890-01-13
NOT QUITE GOOD ENOUGH.
Opening Trade of the Year a Little
Disappointing.

NEW YORK, January l1.-In their Weekly
Review of Trade, r. G. Dun & Co. of the
Mercantile Agency say: An easier money
market and cooler weather have helped bus
iness some, but it cannot be denied that the
opening trade of the new year has thus far
been little disappointing. For this the
widely prevalent sickness is, to some extent,
responsible, as 1t interrupts operations of
buyers and sellers in every direction, and
lessons retail trade. except in drugs. In
other branches business has been fairly ac-
tive. but not up to expectations. though the
prevailing belief is that the lack is only tenn
porary, and that large business is to be ex-
pected soon. Imports and exports have fall
en- off much since January /, and, while eth
er change may be temporary, there are some
facts which point to a different conclusion.
Cotton exports have been remarkably heavy
Tor three months. and are now falling be-
hind last years, change which is natural
and must be expected to continue. The
movement of wheat has not been large in
December, with prices comparatively low,
and can hardly be expected to increase much
with higher prices. In general, the foreign
demand for American products must have
been to some extent satisfied, for the pres
ent, by the unprecedented exports of the
past quarter. On the other hand, specula-
tive disturbances at London and Berlin rem
der 1t not improbable that some realizing on
American investments may be forced, and
the action OF the Reading Company is likely
to cause distrust. Philadelphia notes dull
ness In dry goods, slow movement of cloth
lug, and prospects that large stocks will re-
main uns0id, and dullness in tobacco. liq-
uors, dye stuffs and groceries. the prevalent
sickness being noted as a cause, with an en-
ormous business in drugs. Boston OBJ
serves more life since the arrival of cooler
MOO htrt sal NE
are curtailed because winter supplies have
not been sold groceries are quiet, and sales
of wool were but 2,446, 900 pounds, fleece be-
ing firm, but territy woods lower. Chicago
reports double last years movement in
dressed beef and grain, but a decrease of a
third in coal and decrease in hides and
wool, dry goods sales below last years,
moderate dealing in boots and shoes, and
quiet in clothing. At Cleveland, trade is
rather inactive; at Detroit. fair; and at Mil
as to large country collections, owing to the
weather and the practice of dating ahead.
st. Louis enjoys good business, though the
weather has somewhat checked sales, and
HOODS nave embarrassed communications
with Texas. At Kansas City trade is dull
at Omaha. generally good; and at ST. Panl.
the spring trade is opening fairly. The mills
are all operating at Pittsburg, and iron pro.
ducts ducts are steady, coal more active and the
seen In the great industries. Cotton contin-
ues to do well, and wooden goods have op-
ened at last years prices, but as yet without
specially satisfactory indications. The iron
trade Is still in doubt whether the heavy in
crease in production has been matched by in
crease in consumption. and while the pre-
vailing opinion favors higher prices, it may
be noticed that moderate lots are occasional
ly offered below current quotations While
In bar iron the feeling is less confident of
late, in plate iron the movement is not very
aafiua a-<.f
coal trade remains dull, and affects prices
of coal stocks, though the average for ac-
tive stocks is about 30 cents per share higher
than week ago.