Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1893-11-30
FACTS AND FIGURES.
Neither Are as Encouraging as Might Be-
So Says Dun. :.

R..G. Dun " CO.S weekly reVlcW
of trade says: Consumption increases
slowly, and all branches of business
are awaiting for its growth. The
railroad earnings thus far are only 3.9
per cent. less than those of last year,
the decrease for the last week being
even smaller in freight earnings.
Trade waits for the revival of in.
dustries, and the weeks returns re.
specting industrial progress are rather
conflicting. There has been heavy
sale of cotton goods at very satisfac-
tory prices, and the market has de.
cidedly strengthened in consequence.
Though tho production in this branch
is still somewhat less than it was
year ago, the market for goods at cur.
rent prices is strong.
In woolens there is substantial in.
crease in the demand. Notwithstanding
the fact that several mills, several
each having orders for a thousand
pieces or more, have closed, the orders
not being so assorted as to give them
profitable employment. But the sales
of wool have been the largest since
September, 1892, amounting at three
chief markets to S,025, 800 pounds,
against 4 1913 800 for the same week
last year, aud while it is stated that
the many purchasers are of specula-
tive character, there is evidence that
large buying by active mills is prompt
ed by Increased orders.
In the manufacture of boots and
shoes, the demand employs an in
creasing number of factories, and the
orders are innumerablc as usual for
the season, though smaller in guam.
THY. The shipments from Boston, ac-
cording to the Shoe and Leather Re-
porter, show decrease of ~ per
cent. for the week. A gradual in
crease in the business is reported at
all centers not wholly confined to or
ders for Immediate delivery. A new
compact of the steel rail producers,
the Pennsylvania and the Maryland
works having been leased to others in
order to keep them idle, has checked
the increase in purchases of ore and
coal and other materials, and the Pitts
burg manufacturers are playing havoc
with eastern markets, though the
prices made in that region are SO low
that their continuance cannot be pre-
dicted. There is a considerable in
crease in the number of concerns in
operation, but there does not appear
to be much gain in actual consump-
ton of pig Iron and prices are as low
as ever. Even in the Pittsburg dis.
trict, where business seems more &C
tive than elsewhere, the works are not
fully employed, and the state of man.
ufacture is shown by the return of
Connellsville coke furnaces, of which
6,4S5 are in operation and 1l,0G0 are
idle, the output being only 81 ,755 tons
weekly. In the minor metals. the
sale of 100000 pounds of copper at
3 3-4c by the Calumet and Hecla, has
been followed by higher prices, and
lead and tin are both firmer.
The markets for produce have been
irregular. Wheat has advanced /
cent, though the receipts have been A.
10000 bushels, against 5,5O0,0 last
year, and the exports from Atlantic
ports only 100000 bushels, against
,1,900,0 900 last year. The corn re-
ceipts are remarkably largo, amount
ing to 100000 against 100000
last year, and the price declined !
cent. There has been slight decline
in oil, about l 4c in coffee, and also in
hogs and $3.50 in pork.
Cotton is sixteenth higher, though
considerably depressed during the
week with receipts of 242 900 against
223, 900 for the same week last year,
and the belief i'll short crop does not
outweigh the fact that stocks abroad
and al home are 3,242 200 bales, about
40per cent. of full years consump-
ton.
Failures for the week numbered
SS7 in the United States against 1870
last year, and "a in Canada against 20
last year. But the list this week in
cludes some of more than usual i'm
portance. For the preceding week
the liabilities of firms failing amounted
to only $3,526,812, against $3,727,-
467 the week before, but the weekly
average is far beyond what it would
he in times of nrOsnerity