Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-15
DUN & cos REPORT.
SIIsgivings Concerning Financial Legisla
tiOn-Busincss Fair in Many Places.

AIlsgiVings Concerning Financial Legisla-
tiOn-Busincss Fair in Many Places.
NEW YORK, Jan. 11.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says:
The year opens with the expected i'm
provement in the money markets and
In collections resulting from annual dis
bursements which have been larger
than usual. The hopeful feeling in
most branches of trade continues also
and the railroad outlook is improved.
1t is becoming clearer every day that
one great obstacle to prosperity is the
fear that debasement of the dollar may
produce violent contraction, withdrawal
of coin investments, collapse of credits
and a disaster which will be felt by
every branch of trade and industry.
The iron and steel manufacturing has
been so rapidly extended that shrinkage
of credits has forced sales in many cases
at prices below cost. On the whole the
prospect is considered less bright than
it has been for many years in this coun-
try. In the cotton manufacture also
the shrinkage of credits has severely
strained many concerns and prices of
goods have been very low, but further
reductions have been made during the
past week in the bleached cottons. The
woolen manufacture is doing fairly
though extending but moderately, and
buying is done with caution.
In the boot and shoe manufacture the
outlook is regarded as especially favor
able.
Reports of trade from different cities
are still much influenced by reviews of
last years great business, but generally
indicate a large volume of traffic in
progress for the season with marked I'M
provement since the monetary pressure
abated. Boston notes larger sales of
boots and shoes and of leather and
stronger in hides, firm wool and quiet
lumber. At Philadelphia the leather
and shoe trades are dull; wool is in
little demand: some uneasiness is shown
regarding obligations in tobacco, but
better collections in paints. At Chi
cago receipts of grain equal last
years; increase is seen in butter and
cheese, hides and wool, but decrease in
dressed beef, cured meats and lard; dry
goods and clothing sales exceed last
years with excellent payment and the
shoe trade increases. St. Louis and Gin
cinnati note better trade; at Denver
trade is good and at Salt Lake decidedly
improved, while at other Northwestern
points business is unchanged or COM
paratively quiet. Higher cotton pro-
duces greater activity throughout the
South. Sugar and rice receipts at New
Orleans are good. The money markets
throughout the country are less strin-
gent and reports of collections are more
favorable.
Speculative operations are whole
somely inactive. Wheat is DC lower,
with sales of only 1000, 900 bushels;
corn, cotton and pork is unchanged;
oats and hogs higher, and oil exc, but
coffee 4c lower. The most active CEN
ter of speculation at present is the
Stock Exchange. Foreign trade con-
tinues favorable, exports showing a
large gain over last year, while there is
some decrease in imports. The mer-
chandise movement supplies no reason
for the advance in foreign exchange,
nor does the local money market, and
the Treasury has put out during the
week 81, 500, 600 more than it has taken
in. For some weeks to come at least,
comparatively easy money might be ex-
pected if there should be no disturbance
arising from legislation.