Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-01-18
DUN'S WEEKLY REVIEW.

DUN'S WEEKLY REVIEW.
Distinct Improvement In Business
Noticeable Since the Opening Of the New
Year-ExhaustedS Stocks Being Replen-
ished by the Resumption of Producing
Observation-Disclosures Markets Irregu-
lar and Railroad Stocks Still Declining
The Condition of the National Treasury
Business Failures Etc.
New YORK, Jan. 13.-R. G. Dun 4
Co. IS weekly review of trade, issued to-
day says:
Business has distinctly improved since the
new year came. and the gain is no longer visi-
BILE only in speculative markets. 1t IL the only
kind of improvement that has in it possibili-
ties of lasting, because it is based upon an ac-
tual increase in the production OF industries.
AS all rejoice to see it. there is perhaps little
disposition to reckon the gam greater than 1t
is as yet but several large establishments
have started part force hoping to increase,
and more smaller works have started than
have stopped. Orders from dealers whose
stocks approach exhaustion form prominent
cause: another is the widely prevalent impress
sion that action at Washington will be more
satisfactory than many have expected and a
belief that in any the situation will not be
changed until goods now in the works can be
marketed has weight in some trades What
ever the causes, even q moderate gain is most
cheering.
The output Of pig iron January is reckoned
by the Iron Age at 9,9J7 tons weekly which is
slightly less than December /, though the Pitts
burgh authority makes it a little larger. In
either case it is from Al to 43 per cont. less
than year ago. and stocks of unsold pig in
creased 10, 457 tons in December, though they
decreased as much in November. Several
more furnaces begin production this month.
and prices show no recovery. Indeed, the
Lowmoor works OF Virginia have reduced the
Vrnfan 81 NJ ,Irryt ny16 Av-
ished products are weaker, steel billets and
bars again making the lowest price Oh record,
though the tone is more hopeful both here and
at the West. with little more bust less Cop.
per, tin and lead are weak.
Sales Of wool Tor the week are g 7e6, 100
pounds at the three chief markets, against
5465,5oo last year, but there is more inquiry
from worsted and carpet manufacturers, some
having started machinery.
Overcoatings are 10 to Is per cent. lower than
a year ago, but the deliveries of dress goods
are larger than of late, and the demand is
more urgent. In cotton goods there is no
definite change.
Shipments of boots and shoes for the week
were nearly quarter smaller than a year
ago. but there is growing confidence that the
business must soon increase.
Speculative markets irregular. railroad
stocks having declined every day little.
though but 20 cents per share in all, the chief
cause being reduced earnings, the passing OF
the Louisville & Nashville dividend and for
eign selling of that and the granger stocks
Trust stocks averaged higher every day until
Wednesday, and still SO cents higher for
the week. Earnings reported for January
thus far show decline of 2l.1 per cent, and of
the last week of December l55 per cent. west
ern lines averaging more and southern less de-
crease The heaviest tonnage ever recorded
from Chicago is at rates which result in no In
crease in earnings
The Reading statement, showing large loss
in speculation. the movement of bondholders
in Atchison and the strife over New England
affect some home as we'll as some foreign hold
ers. An analysis of railroad earnings last year
shows that of all classes of all roads the coal
roads only lost in the first half of the year.
while this was the only class which gained ia
the second half.
Wheat is a shade weaker though western re.
ceipts are 1.750.0J0 bushels for the week,
against 1888 90 a year ago. Atlantic exports
are only $4,000. against 1,4SS.000 last year.
Stocks in sight decrease but little, and govern.
ment estimates get little attention.
Corn is naturally weaker ut very large re-
ceipts, though exports are 90 per cent. larger
than year ago.
Cotton has been lifted by speculation hree-
sixteenths. though the decrease in receipts Is
no larger, and stocks in sight here and abroad
are big enough to meet nearly half years
consumption.
Bank cIearings also indicate that no large
gain has occurred yet in the volume of bust.
ness, being 81 per cent smaller than year ago.
Money continues to pour into this city. as 1t
would not if trade approached normal activity.
and the demand is so narrow that loans are
500 O00. 900 below deposits Foreign exchange
has risen 2 cents in fortnight and some look
for gold exports again. Sales OF stocks turn
the balance. though foreign houses are Offering
loans here on long time.
The condition Of the treasury causes much
remark as the cash reserve is lower than ever,
and New York banks have agreed to defer in
definitely demanding from the treasury about
So 900, 600 due mutilated currency. Though
the secretary earnestly urges provision for the
future, congress has not yet touched the sub.
ject and with the great stock of gold here, the
situation is less serious than it would be other
wise.
Returns published last week attract great in
terest, as q more definite measure OF the condt-
ton of various branches of business than has
been obtained through other sources. Add
tional returns, thirteen in number in manufac-
turing. twelve in cotton, three In wooden and
four large grocery concerns, which Show an in
crease. while other branctSs show decrease.
make the aggregate Of sales by LAS concerns
S219 759. $50 in the last half of 1893, against
s2i5 800 346 in the last half of 1892; decrease,
1913 per cent.