The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-19
THE TRADE RETIE us.
Observations OF the Brndstreet and X. g.
Dun Agencies.

NEW YORK. May 1S.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
This week is the third in succession In
which there has been no material gain IN
the volume of business and no gam IN
prospects for trade for the future. Con-
tinued uncertainty regarding tariff legis.a-
ton restricts trading in futures in al
staple lines. This is largely responsible
for the reduction in the volume Of bank
clcarinss.
The general industrial situation does
not improve, although the striking New
York and Patterson silk weavers who
have been out three months, and have lost
over 81 5000 in wages. have gone back TO
work. The coal conference at Cleveland
failed TO settle the miners strike and
the situation as 10 fael supplies continues
TO grow worse. Shut downs Of industrial
concerns. restricted transportation opera
tions. and seizures by railYad companies
Of coal on track are increasing. Large
quantities of foreign coal have been en-
gagged for delivery on the Atlantic sea
board. The number of idle men through
the strikes still remains al about 22j,0O0.
Trade is slow in all lines al Philadel-
pha and Baltimore, at neither Of when
is the trade for the near future encourage
ing.
At the South. such centres as Charles
ton Nashville Memphis, Atlanta. Bir-
mingham. Mobile New Orleans. and Cal
weston, report the jobbing trade practi-
calIy a; a standstiii. there having been
no improvement within week. and a
sluggish demand. At Augusta drugs are
relatively most active. AT Chattanooga
sales Of hardware are improved and at
Savannah naval stores are firmer and
higher
r. G. Dun & Co.'S weekly review Of
trade will say tomorrow:
The obstacles to business DO not lessen.
Yet the recuperatiye forces of the coun-
try are so great that people are constant
ly amazed at the volume Of business
being transacted. the tonnage being trans
ported. the number OF works resumng
operation. and the general soundness Of
trade. Notwithstanding influences which
I'm any other land would produce dire
disaster Some Of the industries are clear
" doing better. Among these are the
boot and shoe trade. women's dress goods,
ard wool sales
Excessive stocks and low prices Of
cotton. a misfortune to growers, keep
many mills in operation which would
otherwise stop. but attempts 10 advance
some kinds Of goods have brought no
better trade.
So real calamity. the long strike
Of miners. results I'm better prices for
bessemer iron. steel and many steel
products. and TO iTon-making concerns
OF the East partly cOmpensates FOR the
overwhelming advantage which the Pitts
burg and Ohio regions had secured in
the fierce competition for some months.
Foundry and mill iron are In abundant
supply. with little change in price, and
though the demand for finished goods Is
not large. frmer prices appear where
there might be decentralization If part OF
the works were not forced TO close. At
Chicago also, the market has the best
FOR months, with structural iron and
plates stiffer At Pittsburg the demand
has raised Bessemer iron 50 per ton;
foundry iron sells at 81; wire nails have
advanced 20 $lO5. and there have been
heavy buying Of black sheets end bcrbed
wire. But II IS feared that more OF the
mills must suspend II the strike continues.
The soundness OF the commercial world
Is shown in the diminishing Importance
u failures. the liabilities reported for
the second week OF May amounting 10
only 81 ,@7.5Cs. Of which sl,49o9S2 were OF
trading and S432 COG of manufacturing con-
Germs The failures this week have been
~ In the United States. against 2f last
year, and "a In Canada. against IA last
wear