Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-21
SIGNS OF. A REVIVAL.
No Large Improvement in Trade Yet,
but Hopes For the Spring.
THE DEMAND FOR IRON is BETTER,
Returns From the Pacific Roads Swell the
Railway Earnings.
REPORTS FROM THE LEADING CITIES

ESPECIAL TEL EeRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.I
NEW YORK. March 20.-Special tele-
grams to Brddstreet's do not point to a more
active distribution of staples throughout the
country than prevailed in the preceding
week, or in corresponding period year
ago. Conspicuous exceptions are at San
Francisco. as California merchants and agri-
culturists anticipate an exceptionally pros
porous season, and at Kansas City, where
sales are said to be lSrger than last week, or
the like week in 1890, notwithstanding
collections are "only fair" The volume of
general business at most other points is gen.
orally favorable, moderately active or fairly
satisfactory.
Iron is in slightly better demand for
crude. but at unchanged prices East. The
demand is relatively more active West.
Anthracite is no frmer, efforts at restricted
production being a failure. Prices will
probably be lower next month. The pro-
jected eight-hour demand in May is gaining
strength among coal miners, and funds are
being raised in aid of the movement
Business Failures and Bank Clearings.
Business failures in the United States
number 179, against 200 last week and 200
this week last year. The total from JAN
uary to date is 3.132 against 9, 167 last
year.
Bank clearings at 56 cities for the week
ended March 10 are S1,O31, ,709, 318 a de-
crease from this week last year OF per cent.
At cities other than New York, the loss is
2-10 of 1 per cent. Money markets very
generally remain easy and rates unchanged.
In regions where crops are short discounts
are extended with special caution. Mer-
camille collections generally are not fully
satisfactory.
Net railroad earnings for January, as a
whole show the heaviest gain since June
last year, which is misleading until ex-
planned. The gain Is due altogether to large
increases on the Southern, Union and
Northern Pacifcs. The trunk lines show
less than per cent increase of net over
January, 1890.
R. G. Dun & Co.'s weekly review says:
There is found in almost all quarters
feeling of confidence and hopefulness for the
future.
Prospects for the Spring Bright
Though the present effect OF the short
crops is felt In the Northwest, the prospect
for the coming season is exceptionally
bright, and, while in some OF the chief man
ufactures operations are checked by uncer-
tainty regarding prices, it may be expected
that the relations between materials and
finished products will soon be adjusted to
the new conditions.
Sales of wool at Boston. New York and
Philadelphia this year thus far show an in
crease over last year of 20 per cent, and still
continue large. The dressgoods makers
have closed the most prosperous season
known, and hope for better prices pres
emily. In knit goods some complain that
they are carrying too large stocks, aud that
margins for pronts are close, but great
many orders are still received. The expan-
sion and diversifcation of the manufacture
leaves for foreign supply only the finer
grades OF worsteds that are not made here,
and even in mems wear woolens there is
seen some improvement, though the de-
mand looks to styles rather than quality.
Little Change in the Iron Trade.
The boot and shoe business Is retarded by
speculation in hides and leather, as prices
of goods are no higher than year ago; but
while buyers are cautious they are numer-
Gus, and the shops are fairly we'll supplied
with orders.
The iron trade shows no change, buyers
believing that as soon as the demand for
consumption increases again, no strikes nor
shutdowns will restrict production. Rails
are SITTER, and the demand for structural
iron trife better. The glass trade is fair,
with prices unchanged, and lead is firm, but
copper weaker. The general average of all
prices is still advancing, having risen half
of per cent for the past week.
Reports from Boston are that general
trade in merchandise is not active. the
weather hindering. interruption from
strikes is feared in the boot and shoe manu-
r., -, hov
supplied their needs, and hides dull, as con-
sumers resist speculative advances.
Reports From the Leading Cities.
At Philadelphia, the iron trade is dull,
and the trade in liquors and tobacco quiet;
in jewelry, paints and glass, light with
small collections, while in printing and
leather manufacture business is better, and
in chemicals fair. Plttsburg notes no
change in iron except growing scarcity.
The Monongahela coal mines are busy. At
Cincinnati trade is quiet and collections
fair, and at Detroit trade is very fair,
equaling last years, though country COL
lectlons pre slow. Chicago reports de-
crease, compared with last year, in -four,
corn, barley, lard and butter, and de-
crease of half In dressed bee; but an in
crease in oats, rye, cured meats, hides and
wool. In drygoods, clothing and boots and
shoes trade is larger than year ago, but
collections not so good as they were recently.
Milwaukee notes much discomfort among
iron miners, who have several weeks wages
unpaid, pending negotiations for the trans
fer of large properties.
From Centers Farther West.
At cities west of the Mississippi trade is |
fair for the season, except at Kansas City, |
where it is dull, and in that region gener. |
ally collections are improving. At New
Orleans trade is barely fair, at Memphis
Iethargic with slow collections, and at Lit /
tie Rock money is light; but Savannah has
4 jubilee over receipts of 1000, 900 bales OF
cotton in year, and reports bright pros
poets.
The money markets are easier at most of
he interior cities. including Chicago and
Boston. At New York rates have changed
put little-2k to 3 Der cent on call, but
here is some difficulty in obtaining COM
nercal loans. The Treasury has put out
2, 900, 600 more money than it has taken In
Turing the week, besides issuing 81, ,OOO, 900
more silver notes.