New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-13
TIE BUSINESS OUTLOOK.

Cr0akerS are constantly COhPIaihi"S ''"' ""''
ness is bad All over the country trade is para
lived they say. and Industries are stagnant' ana
multitudes are out of work. The croakers VINO
saw these things are usually either currency
cranks or Free-Trade theorists who wish TO De-
lieye that things must be going badly because
not going according to their notion. but oc-
casionallv some business man is found IN
dosnondent mood for there are branches OF
trade which have not entirely answered eXpecta-
tions of late 1t may therefore be worth while
10 look over the situation somewhat carefully
The first fact which strikes every close OBJ
server of events is that manufactures arc ex-
tending. The journals devoted to particular
trades find occasion to report in almost every
issue the beginning or the completion OF new
manufacturing establishments in those trades.
Thus the last number of "Thc Iron Age" in IFS
current news, mentions six new eStaDhshmeh'S
in the course of building. and five other con-
Germs which are charging works or adding to
machinery. Yet this very industry is perhaps
more depressed Just at present than any other,
and mainly because the rapid opening OF new
mines and the addition of new works have
subjected some old establishments to c0mpetl-
ton which they find severe. The expansion in
productive capacity has for the moment outruh
even the most wonderful expansion IN conSump-
ton ever known. Lut that certainly does noc
mean that there is less work for laborers than
there was or less iron for consumers or
smaller demand for iron. in thousand forms
Of building and manufacture. An extensive
strike of ccke- workers causes temporary stop
mage Of some works in Western Pennsylvania,
but the general demand for iron and steel IN
other forms than rails is wonderfully large.
Another journal notes: "FOur new cotton
mills are reported this week to be building. ana
in New England additions to two large mills
have been begun OF the wOOllcn industry
it is stated that machinery is generally well
employed especially on ladies' dress goods. and
several concerns have begun TO make additions
70 their plants. The knit goods factories arc
we'll employed and two new concerns will enter
tho New England field" The latest Shoe and
Leather Reporter' notes the completion Of one
new establishments the arrangements for build
ing three others, and an addition which VIII
double the capacity Of another. OF the paper
trade if is said "The mills are having GOOD
season. and are generally well employed. Sever
al small mills that have been shut down will be
started up and there is talk OF erecting new
mill at Bolton, Conn" But pages could be
filed with such items Of news, which asSuredly
do not indicate stagnatiOn in any department.
Of industry.
The merchants OF this city, Boston and CHI
cago are generally aware that the volume OF
their trade is large and in many lines larger
than it has been in any previous year. ms Is
not the fact in all branches, because the effect
of short crops in reducing purchases by the
West is felt in some directions, and yet the
general traffic of Chicago in dry goods. cloth
| inc. boots and shoes. hardware, machinery ana
other leading departments is constantly reported
as exceeding that of the last year by CONNER
cial authorities, and that means exceeding tho
trade of anv previous year. II is not difficult
to pick ont some trades that fall behnd al
present: the silk manufacture, for instance.
But the aggregate is so large that II the de-
crease necessarily resulting from the movement
of smaller grain and fruit crops be deducted, the
| remaining traffic must be about as heavy as ~
ever has been at this season.
| All accounts agree. also, that preparations are
being made for remarkably large business III
the spring. The building trades at this season
are necessarily retarded, but the plans OF build
ings and contracts for materials point to eX-
pectaton of great activity as soon as the winter
has passed The farmers have been stimulated
by high prices to increase their acreage OF the
principal crops in most Of the States, and the
reports thus far arc highly encouraging as to
| the probable yield this year. Disaster may We;
come. of course to that great interest hut It's
outlook has rarely been more promising in the
middle OF March than ii is now. The truth IS
that theorists can find little to support their
notions if they search for prostration in indus
tries or trade 1t is not year of wild specula-
tjon or Of booming" for which all may be
thankful but it bids fair to be a year Of heavy
| trade and enormous production.