The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-06
DISTINCTLY IMPROVING.
The Condition of Business, ns Reported
bv Dun,S AFency.

This Condition OF Business, AS Reported
by Dun's Agency.
New York. April Or. G. Dunl l. Co..
weekly review of trade says: The business
outlook is distinctly improving. There has
come a distinct increase in tho marketing
Of manufactured products and greater 40
tivity in many lines of domestic trade.
This is in part due to more favorable
weather in most sections, and the improved
condition of country roads, and to the
prospects OF an early spring. Ths mann
taotnrers are doing we'll. Probably the
cotton manufacture has never turned out
~ great = quantity of goods at any other
time ~ 1t has this year SO far, with loss
accumulation of its products in the hands
of manufacturers or Wholesale dealers.
The distribution has been remarkably
large and the results OF trade generally sat
isfaotory, as prices Of the material have
been dselining, while goods, though on the
fairly maintained in prices. Tho WOODEN
manufacture also shows distinct improve
msnt in some branches, though not i'll ear
pets nor in the lower grades or mixed goods
for mons wear. This better all-wool goods,
worssad and dress goods are mora largely
produced than in the past years, and ne IN
desirable accumulation is soon. Ths boot
and shoe business ID also increasingly act
i've. shipments now exceeding last years
and orders being large and urgent. Re
ports from cities are generally encouraR-
ing.
AZ Chicago a large increase ID seen in
merchandise sales, and collections in dry
goods equal last years, while IL clothing
and shoes they ars not quito sstisfactory,
though no especial complaint il made. Re
csipts Of grain and flour show grsat in
crease, but Of other products soma de-
creass. At Milwaukee business 10 improv-
ing. with money easy; at 81. Paul the pros
poet OF an early spring stimulatss trade; at
Minneapolis all jobbing trade is sxcsllsnt
and tbs lumber business il very good, and
at Omaha trade il active in all limos. In
CREASED distribution in all branches ID Seen
at st. Louis, with Improvements ia country
roads, and olsarinRs for tho month allow a
gain of 10 per cent.
Speculation during the week has not been
very active. Wheat has declined 255s cents;
corn, q cent: oil, a fraction. and pork %
cents 4 barrel.
Although cotton receipts nave been soms-
what smaller than a year ago, tbs pressure
OF atooks here and abroad has caused 4
further decline Of a sixteenth. Coffee ia
general tendency of prices il seward a
owe level. But in the iron trade bottom
seems to have bean reached. More bust
ness is seen at Philadelphia and many ia
naces have ceased production, SO that
fewer forced sales arc reported, though a
new and large furnace in Alabama begins
work. No Improvement ID seen in bar iron,
but some in plates, and in structural iron
the demand is better than q year ago. Cop
per is unsettled and irregular; tin slightly
lower and lsad dull. The market for coal
ia distinctly hrmer. Money markets hsre
ana throughout the country are aeuudantly
supplied, and there il no sense Of anxiety
manifested in any quarter.
The failures during the first quarter Of
1892 were 1854 in the Unitsd states. against
1856 last year: and the liabilities, $50, 2s4,
349, against $42, 1876 last year. Increase
is seen III the eastern states. but a pfoat
decrease at thu west and SONS decrease in
every other section. The business failuros
occurring throughout the country during
the last seven daysnumbsr PIC, as compared
with totals of 23l last week. For the cor
responding week Of last year the figures
were 243.