The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-19
II. c. Dun & Co.'s Weekly Review of
the Business Situation.

NEW YORK, Dec. IA r. C. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow
will say:
Dun's review is enabled by the kindness
of several thousand manufacturers, who
have forwarded statements of their pay
rolls for November, this year, in 1898 and
in 1892, to make a very encouraging COM
parison of earnings for that month which
shows an increase in total payments Of 15.2
per cent. over last year, but a decrease
of 1873 per cent. in comparison with 1892
A statement Of hands employed SHOWS
that in the same establishments 10.2 per
cent more persons were employed than
a year ago. but Sc per cent. less than
1892. The average OF earnings for over
0000 hands is per cent. larger than
in 1898, but 1872 per cent. less than in 1892.
and this statement takes no account Of
hours Of work in the month compared or
Of the establishments not working at all
this year. In some of the industries more
hands are at work than in 1892 but in
others the decrease is large. Contra
dictory changes in business are quite in
order at this season. Neither the larger
orders in some branches nor the depres-
sion Of prices in others afford safe indi-
cation Of the general movement. But the
working force does not lessen more than
usual for the time of year. the demand for
goods does not seem to diminish, though
liz most departments it IS considerably
and the volume of business transacted is
a little larger in comparison with last
year than in November.
The speculative markets have advanced
a little, though reasons are hard to find.
Wheat is unchanged in price. although
western receipts are az large as they were
last year. and Atlantic exports are SOL
2O5 bushels, against 1,029.250 year ago.
Corn Is a fraction weaker. without any
important change in movement, though the
receipts continue remarkably large. The
heavy receipts of cotton have broken down
the price to 5.75c in spite of a strong spec
ulative interest looking for some recOv-
cry from the lowest point on record. The
detailed reports regarding the chief indus
triss are not altogether encouraging. The
iron output increased during the month OF
November and was 1922 tons weekly
Dec. 1 against 1852, $50 Nov. l. but the in
crease in stocks unsOld was 50149 tons,
which averages 11,7O0 tons per week, indi-
eating that the increase in production dur
ing the month Of November was not sup
ported by the demand for products. Ac-
cordlngly prices have been declining the
general average Of articles being only 81. 9
of the average in October, 1889, against So. 7
on the 1st of December. The Pittsburg
markets show most weakness. Bsssemer pig
being quoted at $1015 and Grey forge Of
fered at 30 and bar iron selling at 90c,
but in structural forms the eastern de-
msnd is sufficiently large 10 cause a slight
advance in beams. The minor metals are
stronger though apparently for specula-
tive reasons only. The textile manufact-
ures are on the whole weaker although
sales Of wool for the past week, in part
for speculative purposes. have been larger
than one year or two years ago. and for
two weeks Of December have been
9 $40. 200 pounds against 7.S57.200 last year
and 10, 500 in 1892. The orders for spring
woOlens do not materially increase, but the
current demand for immediate delivery
continues unusually large. Cotton goods
are demoraliZed by some reduction, and by
the announcement OF a great auction sale
of $1,000 pieces by Bliss. Fabyan * Co..
and their regularity In staples increases,
while print cloths are steady. Failures for
the past week have been $40 In the United
States against 500 last year, and forty In
Canada, against forty last year.