Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-01-11
WEEKLY REVIEW

Of the Condition of Commercial and In.
dustrial interests Throughout the Coun-
try as Collated from the Reports Re-
ceived by II. G. Dun & CO-Conditions
Practically Unaltered from Last RePors
Business Failures for the Week, Etc.
New YORK, Jan. 6.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'s weekly review of trade, issued to-
day says:
The c1cseness OF business does not lit as
yet. Confidence is expressed that trade must
improve with the new year, but it is too early
as yet to predict important changes In the
main the conditions continue unaltered, but
the proposal OF a n income tax is not calculated
to inspire confidence, nor does 1t encourage
hope that uncertainty about revenue laws VIII
be speedily terminated.
The condition OF the treasury excites less
interest. with the gold reserve lower than ever
and the entire available reserve reduced to
about 900 600 900, than smaller losses caused
when the free gold exceeded 800, 100000. Yet
the deficit OF s37 664 800 in the first half Of the
current fiscal year, the decrease of S307f4,9iS
in customs receipts for six months and sl0,654-
1911 in the internal revenue point to a large de-
dcit for the year, and a greater reduction OF
treasury balances than can be safely per-
mitted. AS the point of danger is the large
volume of paper circulation, with narrow
gold reserve, the proposal to issue $4,000. 900
more paper by means OF coming silver bullion
commerce has earnestly urged an issue of
sEort-tine bonds. as recommended by the Sec
rotary Of the treasury.
Money from the interior still floods this mar
k"t. Commercial inactivity still causes the
amount OF idle funds to swell beyond all prece-
dent, and rates so low that speculation
might be dangerously stimulated ii q feeling Of
hopefuiness prevailed. Thus it may be forum.
ate that diminished earnings suppress ardor
IN stock speculation, and heavy supplies in
sight deter SDeCufatiOn I'm diS.
bursement OF s95. 600 600 here and SIT 100000 in
Boston and Pittsburgh for January interest
and dividends, has produced nothing like the
usual demand for securities. though after sew
eral days of excessive selling the stock mar
ket rose an average Of a dollar share. Cut
rates increase railway tonnage without yield
ing better terms in money and the dividends
paid reflect past rather than present condi-
tions.
The wheat market is three-fourths of a cent
higher, because of diminished western re-
ceipts and corn is unchanged. Western sales
OF wheat for the week have been 1854, 545
bushels. against 1850, $50 last year. The re-
ceipts of are extraordinary-4.065978
bushels for the week, against 3277, 178 last
year. Cotton receipts have lessened little,
and the price has suddenly advanced quar-
ter, with q movement probably on par with
others which have made this season a trying
one to traders.
1t is questionable whether the working force
In the great industries has increased as yet,
though about the first OF the year considerable
increase is expected. The number OF mills
starting and stopping work Is about the same.
Sales of wool for the week amount to 2,49i, 800
pounds, against ,453 200 for the corresponding
week last year. and since May the decrease
has been 49,. per cent. Prices are somewhat
weaker. and few works report satisfactory
orders. Prices of cotton goods are further re-
duced to encourage purchases. Most of the
shoe shops are moderately employed and the
decrease In the ShiOmantS for tia week Ia II
per cent. against 20 per cent for the last seven
months of 1893. Still lower prices are re-
corded in iron and steel. both at Philadelphia
and Pittsburgh, without increase in the volume
CT business. It is believed that the output OF
pig though 80 per cent. less than year ago,
exceeds the consumption.
In textile manufactures the decrease is Al
per cent over 81 in woods, 43 per cent. in silks
and 81. per cent. in cotton manufactures, 29.2
per cent. in hosiery, and D. in mixed textiles.
In dry goods the sales decreased only 1872 per
cent, stocks previously held having been much
reduced, and the reported decrease in sales of
clothing is only 1873 per cent. in hardware only
1875 per cent. In boot and shoe manufactures
the decrease is 1854 percent. but in the retail
trade only l16 per cent. The decrease in fur.
niture is 27.2 cent, in jewelry 2i.8 per cent,
and in sales of seal hats only 1876 per cent.
1t is an interesting and encouray ing fact that
sales OF groceries are slightly larger than last
year. though q little less at the east and west,
but greater at the south. The fact that in
most branches the decrease appears smaller
at the west than at the east. and smaller at the
south than at the west. is one Of the curious
results of this novel investigation.
The final classified returns OF failures for
1893 are not yet complete, but the reports re-
ceived for the latter part of December have
swelled the aggregate of commercial liabili-
ties to 1888 493. 461 of which S67 SIS 1856 of
manufacturing failures. Sl23, 7I69 $50 of trading
failures, and G47, SID of other concerns.
Complete returns will be given. it is hoped
next week.
For the past week the failures reported have
been Sill in the United States. against 23l last