The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1894-10-06
puN's COMMERCIAL REVIEW.

into the State of the Different Branches
of Trade-Continued Depression In Farm
Products.
NEW YORK, Sept. e9.-R. G.. Dun &
Co.'s weekly review of trade, issued to-
day, says:
Retail trade. the last step in n
movement from producer to consumer,
is at the same time the first step upon
which depend empty shelves in the
stores and future orders to the mills
After months of unnatural economy
buying should be large enough to send
the mills further orders very soon.
Special inquiry has been made this
week at all commercial centers re-
garding the state of retail trade, and
many of the are given on
the following pages. Wide diversity
appears in different trades, and the
details of business at the different
cities merit general attention. The
main facts disclosed are, first. a marked
improvement within the past month,
and a considerable excess over the
business done a year ago, particularly
in the necessaries of life. But, second,
it appears that the volume of trade at
present is on the whole considerably
less than in a normal year, at most
points, and in the more important
trades is apparently about 90 per cen
smaller than in September. 1885,.
Evidence of continued improvement
in wholesale trade and manufacture
does not appear this week. There is
large distribution on orders given some
time ago, but new business going to
the manufactures is everywhere slack
ening. The completion of orders for
replenishment of stocks leaves a mar
rover demand, and it is yet too early
for consumption to provide further or
ders. The volume of business re-
ported by clearings at the chief cities
is GO per cent. larger than last year,
but els per cent. less than in 1892, and
for the month of September the daily
average has been slS4, 900, 900. against
SIPS. 600, 900 last year before recovery
from the panic had come, and S177,-
900. 900 in 1892. AS these include pay
ments resulting from trade deferred
during months of uncertainty, the
comparison is but moderately encour-
aging.
products will have some influence.
Unprecedented records have been made
in cotton and wheat, though as to
wheat only in contracts for future de-
livery, in which the prices are the low
est ever made. The available stocks
are about Is. ZOO, 900 bushels greater
than a year ago, and western receipts
for the week were 5,25a,716 bushels,
against G,191, OS4 last year, and since
August 1, 81, 200, 900 bushels, against
SIS, 900, 600 bushels last year. The At
lantic exports for the week and since
August l have been about a third
smaller than last year, but the fall in
price during the week has been LIS
cents.
Cotton on the spot is lower at GA
cents than at any other time since
1919, and quotations then did not mean
what they do now, while the lowest
has been quoted at Goa cents,
which is below all previous records.
Even at the close the fall for the week
Is one-quarter. An estimate of 95,-
900, 600 bales minimum this year has
the market, but would re-
ceive less attention if stocks in sight
were not heavy, while all agree that
this crop is likely to exceed the worlds
requirements of American cotton.
1t is encouraging that speculation in
cor has broken, and the price has
fallen 5 cents, less gloomy estimates
than those of the department having
gained general acceptance. 1t is now
supposed that the yield is not far from
500, 000, 900 bushels. which will compel
much economy in feeding, but specula-
ton in pork has also broken, and the
price has fallen Is cents, while lard
has declined a half to 1 cent.
The iron industry shows a shrinkage
of demand, and the prices quoted to-
day are but little above the lowest this
year. Bessemer pig is weaker at Sl1
Pittsburgh, with an impression that
excess of production must cause fur
Their decline unless lower prices are
made for steel rails. Billets, struc-
weaker, and in eastern markets
of works to get business
tends to destroy profits. There is more
business at the west and Chicago re-
ports a good demand for sheets, for bar
in small lots, and for coke pig, though
states and boiler tubes are weaker.
The boot and shoe manufacturers con-
tinues to lead others in comparative ac-
tivity, and shipments from Boston for
the month have been $500 cases,
against 2ea, 623 last year and 32s, log in
1892.
Textile manufacturers feel the
of the demand due to the re-
Punishment Of stocks, and there is
less doing in cotton and wooden goods
at first hands. The distribution by
jobbers on previous orders is large,
and stocks are still being reduced by
purchases, but the trade now depends
in all branches upon the supplemental
orders expected. In cottons recent adj
vances are maintained, but buying
is n~oticeably less active. The fall
trade in woolens is prolonged the more
because it has been light through the
season, but in spring goods there
is little new business, Sales of wool
for the month have been 1882, $50
pounds, against s, 1928, 125 last year and
81, 0S0, 500 in 1892.
The failures during the past week
have been 235 in the United States
against S34 last year, and SIS in Canada