The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-10-03
BUSINESS NOT NORMAL
FAILURES FEW.
Volume of Trade 20 Per Cent Below the
Average Of the Season.

II. G. Dun & Co.'S weekly review of trade
saye;
Special inquiry has been made this week
at all commercial centers regarding the state
of retail trade. Wide diversity appears in
different trades. The main facts disclosed
are. First, marked Improvement within the
past month and considerable excess over
the business done a yeur ago, particularly IN
the necessaries Of lite. But, second, II ar-
pears that the volume Of trade at present Is,
on the whole, considerably less than in q
normal year. and in the more important
trades is apparently about 20 per cent.
smaller than IN September, 1892.
Evidence of continued Improvement in
wholesale trade and manufacture does not
appear this week. There Is large distribu-
ton on orders given some time ago, but new
business going TO the manufacturers Is every
where slackening. The completion OF orders
Tor replenishmcnt OF stocks leaves narrower
demand. and IL IL yet too enrly for consump-
iion 10 provide further orders.
The depression in prices of farm products
will have some influence. Unprecedented
records have been made In cotton and wheat,
though as to wheat only In contracts for tut
ure delivery, In which the prices are the low
est ever made. The available stocks are
about 10. .000, 600 bushels greater than year
ago, and western receipts for the week were
b.252, ,7l6 bushels against Il, l9l ,03i last year.
aud since August |, 5l, ,O00, 900 bushels against
81, GOO, 900 last year. The Atlantic exports
for the week and since August l have been
about n third smaller than last year, but the
lail in price during the week has been LIS
cents
Cotton on the spot is lower at 6.44 cents
than at any other time since lS49, aud quota
tions then did not mean what they do now.
while the nearest option has been quoted a'
6.0i cents, which is below all preyions record.
Even at the close the fall for the week Is a
cent. An estimate OF 9,G00,00O bales mini
mum this year has Influenced the market, but
would receive less attention IL stock in sight
were not heavy, while all agree that this crop
is likely to exceed the worlds requirements
Of American cotton.
II is encouraging that the speculation in
corn has broken, and the price has fallen
cents, less gloomy estimates than these ol
the department having gained general ac
ceItance. IL Is now supposed the yield Is
not far from 800 900. 900 bushels, which
will compel much economy In feeding. but
speculation in pork has also broken, aud III,
price has fallen IS cents, while lard has de
clined 1-2 cent.
The iron industry shows shrinkage of de
mand, and the prices quoted to-day are but
little above the lowest this year. Bessemel
pig is weaker Mt sli at Pittsburg, with al
impression that excess Of production mus
cause further decline unless lower prices ar,
made for steel rails Bllets. structural forms
and nails are a shade weaker, and In eastern
markets competition to get busincs.
tends to destroy profits. There is more bus
ness at the West. and Chicago reports good
demand for sheets. for bar In small lots and
Tor coke pig though plates and boiler tube:
are weaker
The boot and shoe manufacture continues
TO lead others in comparative activity, anc
shipments from Boston for the month hnv,
been $500 cases, against 222, ,623 last year
and 32S, I06 in 1892.
Failures are few and small for the week
liabilities amounting to S5,27s,s25, of whicl
S2,3s2,3l3 were OF manufacturing and 80,
j15, H. of trading concerns. The failures
during the week have been $50 in the Unite,
States against 334 last year, and 90 in Canad'
against 33 last year.