The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1892-02-20
COMMERCIAL REVIEW.


The Business Situation Throughout the
Country as Reflected Through r. G.
Dun Co.'S Weekly Reviaw-The Great
Coal Combination and Speculation on
Its Effects Business Failures, Etc.
New YORK, Feb. 13.-R. G. Dun s.
Co.'S weekly review of trade says:
The great combination Of coal carriers, and
the wild excitement and unprecedented trans
actions in the stock market have monopolized
attention in Wall street. Outside of specula-
tive circles there is some doubt whether the ef-
fects will be beneficial. Many apprehend
that the price Of coal may be advanced to man
ufacturing establishments and other consum-
ers. On the other hand, the consolidated COM
panies will have no more power to control the
price Of coal than they have had through their
combination, and the market continues unusu-
ally dull, the nominal price being not often OBJ
tanned. For the first time in many months the
exports of products from New York fall little
below those Of the same week last year. but the
shipments from other ports continue very
large. The production of pig iron is about
stationary. The stocks Of charcoal iron are sub
stantially unchanged but stocks Of coke iron are
considerably larger, go that on the whole, the
consumption does not appear quite up to the
enormous supply. No change appears in the
market for pig iron, and rails are in small de-
mand at the fixed price. Bar iron does not i'm
prove, and the demand for plates is smaller than
was expected. Larger sales of copper are re-
ported at 10 70 cents and fair distribution Of tin,
while lead is tride lower. Reports from other
cities indicate general improvement in trade.
AT Boston trade is on the whole satisfactory. in
dry goods equal to last years, the cotton mills
are busy and steady increase appears in orders
for woolens and shoes. Sales of wool fer the
year are thus far 100000 pounds less than last
years to the same date. Trade in dry goods is
improving at Hartford, and at Bridgeport sales
are larger than in previous years, though the
hardware trade is slack. At Philadelphia the
dry goods trade is quite encouraging, and busi-
ness in groceries generally satisfactory, but
very little is doing In woods and other lines are
quiet and without change. Prospects at Balti
more are much brighter, with decided improve
ment in leather, shoes and harness. Jobbing
trade is active at Cincinnati, especially in pro-
visions, and at Cleveland business compares
fayorably with that of last year, though reac-
tion and light demand appear in iron ore. At
Chicago the volume Of merchandise sales
are greater than year ago, and diminished re-
ceipts appear in cured meat only. Only fair
increase in lard, butter and cheese; third in
-four, corn oats, barley and hides, and fifty per
cent. In wool; while receipts of rye are double
last years and wheat and dressed beef four
times last years, Trade at Milwaukee is good.
AT st. Paul. prospects are brighter, and at Min.
neapolis business has increased, as also at Kan
sas City, while trade is fair for the season at
Omaha and Denver. At st. Louis it is also
stronger, and there is much confidence as to the
future although the depression in cotton regions
| is still felt. Better accounts also come from
| the south. At Louisville trade has improved
and at Nashville is very fair; Memphis slight,
but improving, and at Montgomery increasing.
| At New Orleans business in all lines is only
fair, but there is slight improvement in cotton,
and sugar is firm and active, with light receipts
Nearly all southern points report an easier
money market and mora b0DAfuI nrOanaPts
Money is only too abundant. and has been quoted
| on call this week at 2la and per cent:
The business failures occurring throughout
The country during the last seven days, number,
for the United States, 235, and for Canada A. or
total OF 376; as compared with 80 last
week and 297 tho week previous to the last
For the corresponding week Of last year
the figures were 297, representing 262 failures in
the United States, and S5 in the Dominion Of
Canada,