Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-17
BUSINESS OUTLOOK.
Bradstreet Reports a Great Falling
Off in All Lines.
Aliribuisd Directly 70 IL Tarin Iiakssiag osn-
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from leading trade centres sake it plain
that the volume of general business, since
the beginning Of the month, shows de-
crease. ~ compared with the corresponding
portion Of January Of this year, though il
10 difficult to determine how much is due to
the natural temporary recession of the wave
Of the incoming tide. There is disposi-
ion to continue disposing of stock and buy
for immediate wants, until after the tariff
question is disposed of.
Commercial travellers for dry goods.
clothing, hardware, shoe and other houses
in number of instances are on their way
home or have arrived home and report
many orders of those secured. dependent on
the passage or otherwise Of the tariff bill.
Snow and storms have temporarily checked
business in the West, many railway lines
being blocked and country roads rendered
impassable, though Northwestern advices
are that the snow is Of value to the winter
wheat.
The greatest activity in commercial lines
10 in dry goods, hats, shoes and rubbers.
and in the South IN plantation supplies and
fertilizers.
Wheat prices have agsin gone below
previous records with as little certainty as
reviously that they have touched bottom.
Anthracite coal production win continue
restricted this month. the prices for stove
heing cut 25 cents. Cattle and hogs at the
leading Western markets are in full sup
ply, and 10 cents lower per 100 ponnds.
Wool is duller, manufacturers working on
orders and buying as needed. This results
in shaded prices.
- elc Eaetapn
dry goods centers jobbing 10 very moderate,
indigo prints being cut 1-2, and print
.loths being lower, with stocks accumu-
lating. Rice is ia good demand. strong.
Sugar is from Is to IA higher. Bessemer
pig iron at Pi,tsburg holds its IS advance,
although fears are expressed of reaction,
now that the makers will begin to produce
from lower priced ores. The recent expan-
sion of the demand for manufactured iron
and steel continues, although checked by
consumers awaiting action on the tariff bill
BY Congress.
The earliest reportssof . general tendency
to extend mercantile credits where deserved,
came from Boston, where commercial paper
10 readily placed at low rats. This is re-
ported also from Omaha. The consumption
iemand is more restricted at Boston.
Providence reports dulli,ess among woolen,
nd worsted manufactures, f.
There is now standing extreme depres-
ion in the wheat market, and San Fran
isco advices are that some one there is buy
ing all the wheat offered. The exports of
heat, flour included, in both cases equal
zoos 900, against 3,0S0. 900 bushels in the
second week of February of last year. 10
the first six weeks of the calendar year of
1893 the available wheat stocks of the
United States and Canada were increased
| I,O96, 900 bushels, and in the past six
.seeks the net available supplies were de-
creased III 900 bushels. A..-...-
Bank clearings aggregated S7s9, 900 900
this week, decrease of more than ii per
ent. compared with the week before, and
81 per cent. contrasted with year ago.
Clearings at Boston this week decreased
80, 900 900. Mercantile failures through
,ut the country this week number 28S,
against 205 in the same week year ago.
!, The recent government report. OH. cotton
aarketed from plantations indicates prob
bile crop of 100000 bales. Very full
returns Of gross and net railway earnings
FOR 1898 are less Disappointing than the
Monthly reports indicated. The total gross
-ailwAy earnings amounted to $S92, ,000.-
900, decrease of l-6 per cent. from 1892.
Total net, 100000, 900, decrease of
per cent.
Bradstreets' report of embarras SEED banks,
~ classes and states, fer the year 1898,
shows total of 59e exclusive of South
Oskota), owing si70, ,OOO,O and having
$lS4, ,0O0, ,OOO assets. One hundred and
ninety three resumed business, liabilities
,eing only S6G,COO,000; assete, $95, 5,000.-
900 TIE remaining banks, with doors still
closed. number 405, with aggregate debts,
3l04, 900 900; assets. $50, 900, 900.