Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-04-16
Review OF TRADE.
Improvement in Business at Most
Points Still Continues.
Nv" ijans:bie Theories Regarding Pre-
sent e"nditions--Sales of Wool in En-
cess of Last Year's--Money Easy.

"S-"'e Aheories Regarding Pre-
sent conditions--salcs of Wool in En-
cess of Last Year's--Money Easy.
R. G. Dan & Co.'S weekly review Of Trade
is as follows:
The bus ue,s failures throughout the
county during the last seven days, number
for the Unite States III and for Canada 81,
or total of POS, as compared with totals Of
Us last week and 23l the week previous to tn
last. For the corresponding week of las;
year the figures were 243, representing 2il
failures in the United States and 81 in the
Dominion of Canada.
Another week brings additional proof OF
actual improvement in business at many
points, while slackness at few is explained
by causes obviously local and temporary.
Thus at some points bad weather and impass.
able roads still retard while at others, where
that condition has passed, vigorous revival is
seen.
Extreme low prices for cotton still depress
at the South, aud production of iron in excess
OF demand has caused the failure of one com.
pany and the closing of several furnaces
Spring brings the usual demsnd for materials.
st some points larger than usual, and at only
one as yet reporting checked by an expected
strike. The money markets continue abund-
antly supplied and easy
EXPECTATIONS NOT REALIZED.
Two theories exist regarding this state Of
business, which find frequent expressions.
That trade has disappointed expectations to
some extent is obvious, and there are some
who claim that reaction has begun of nm.
known duration, which appeared in Europe
last year, and was only in part deferred here
because of extraordinary crops. They have
to support them unusually low prices, and in
some departments shrinkage in sales. but
others argue that disappointment is due 10
excessive expectations and especially fai.ure
TO take .ihto account the great volume OF in
debtedness left from real estate speculation n,
the West and South and the influence here Of
bad crops and financial depression abroad
These have TO support them much evidence
that the actual business transacted. ali
branches considered, is greater than ever
before at this season in spite of all obstacles
and complaints.
MISCELLANEOUS TRADING.
Payments outside of New Yorktar larger
than ever at this season. Railroad earnings
show substantial increase over last year
Receipts of breadstuffs still exceed all past
experience and receipts of cattle at Western
cities are 1866 head for the first quarter,
gain of II per cent. over last year. Sales Of
wool at all principal markets for the year thus
far exceed last years, indicating a larger
manufacture. Shipments of boots and shoes
now exceed last years, though for the year
this far per cent. behind, but some shops
are now working overtime. Coal is dull but
firm, sellers gradually getting up to the
schedule prices. y
A better tone and larger sales is seen in
iron, for output has been reduced $500 tons
weekly. and improved demand is seen for
plate structural and sheet iron. Copper is
dull, with indications that the combination
has failed. Some concessions are seen in coke
and tin plates; lead is dull but tin rises
little.
Speculation has been stronger, wheat adj
vancing 3!cents, corn 5 cents and cotton
sixteenth, with smaller receipts. Oil is q cent
higher. but coffee &C. lower.