Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-11-10
PICKING UP.
Business Commences to Gain
After the Elections.
Prospect Coed fer Increase in Gen.
eraI Trade in Near Future.
srid:treet Outlines Efi &C! Of TUESDAYS Else.
iI,ns on couh;ry's Business.

srLCt TIE volume OI trace particularly II
the South, where it interfeTed with mer-
entile collections. Within few days the
intiuence of more sessonsble weather IN
the West and Northwest, together with the
emphasis with which the political questions
have apparently been settled increased the
conf ience of many merchants and manu-
facturers in prospect of an increased rate
of improvement in general trade in The
near future.
Chicago and St. Louis manufacturers
and business men already report evidences
of tendency on the part of inte-
rior buyers to purchase for future delivery,
and from such iron eenters as Philadelphia,
Pittsbure and Chicago relatively greater
steadiness Is reported in quotations for
staple brands.of iron and steel than for
months past. .iThere is an increased ship
meut of anthracite coal both by lake ant
rail within a week, and stimulated demand
for shoes, hats, clothing.
Foreign competition with domestic plain
wooden dress goods in noticeable, free
orders having been placed for delivery
after January |. American fleece woods
feel the effects of competition with Austria
han quotations easy. Print cloth stocks are
reduced in volume and prices are steady
Domestic wooden mills are fairly well en-
ployed.
Returns of gross earnings of l07 r8il-
roads show an average decrease of 81 per
cent. compared with October, 1898. Sep.
tembcr showed decrease of ) per cent.
from that month in 1898. Granger, Cen
tral and Western trunk line roads show
comparatively large decreases in compari,
son with the Worlds Fair traffic year
ago. Southern roads, with a gain of -
per cent. again make the best showing,
and the Southwestern and Pacific groups
show favorable comparisons with last year
The 10 months ending October 81, 1894,
los roads, with mileage of 90,l miles,
show decreases equivalent to u 2 per cent.
against the results for the same period of
1898.
While the prices for iron and steel
shapes, for Bessemer pig and steel tillets
are practically steady, there was another
net advance, this week, in prices for wheat
and lard, and coffee and sugar advanced
fractionally also. There has been fur
ther recession in quotations for corn and
oats. General commercial conditions at
the South continue TO struggle with another
decline of one-eighth of cent on cotton.
Bank cleaIings in - cities throughout
the United States, this week, amount to
$3.50, ,G00,0 900, or % per cent. mote than ir
the previous week, per cent. more than in
the first week Of November, 1898, end only
90 per cent. smaller than in the core
spending week two years ago. A favor
able indication is found in the previous
weeks aggregate cleatings having beer
over 80 per cent. smaller than the CORE
spending weeks of two years ago.
Exports of wheat, (incluilng -four as
wheat from both coasts of the United
States and Canada, aggregate 2,GS9, 600
bushels this week against 1854 600 las,
week. and 2,Sl3 900 the week year ago.
Stock speculation at New York developed
considerable strength and prices show
advances due TO covering short con
tracts on the result of the elections
London and the public is still out of the
market, but remarkably good demand for
bonds has appeared. Sugar stock is higher
and active and advances in granger railroad
shares have been general, The market
shows a tone of increased conf ence.
Foreign exchanges are easier, demand ster-
ling being at 81 81 l-2, the bankers showing
an increased willingness to draw.
Two hundred and forty-one busines IS
failures are reported throughout the United
States this week, compared with 253 last
week, and 333 in the week year ago.
Hand to mouth movement of general
merchandise continues in leading lines a.
Boston, except in shoes, shipments from
seven New England manufacturing cen;ers
aggregating about 90 COO cases this week,
against IS 900 in the week a year ago.
Philadelphia and Pittsburg markets con-
tinue as last reported, movements of mr-
chsndise being moderate in volume; collec-
rions not satisfactory, but prospects fairly
bright. Demand for lumber and leather
forms an exception, being more active.
Baltimore reports less Satisfactory trade
the political excitement there having inter
rupted business more than other large East
ern cities. The distribution of shoes sp-
pears as active active as any other staple,
business in other lines, excepting holiday
goods being quiet. The seasnrable weather
at Buffalo and the better demand for and
larger shipments of anthracite coal is rem
dering the outlook brighter, the season of
lake navigation now closing having been
unsatisfactory. At Cleveland the general
commercial ana it3lu"ul1l tiAuHtIOn IL lm
proved. the interruptions due TO election
having checked business. Thes conditions
characterize the situation at Cincinnati and
LouiseiIle as at Detroit, although colder
westher stimulated the movement of shoes
and woolens.
The moderate falling off in busi7ess at
Cbicago is followed by more confident
feeling SIS to the prospects for the near
future. At s.. Louis trade for October
shows an increase compared with the ike
month of last year, and leading msuufact-
u ers and jobbers count on Improvement
from this time on. A fairly satisfactory
volume of trade is reported from Kansas
City, many of whose merchants regard the
business outlook with more confidence
More seasonsble weather is having favor
able ir fuence on sales by jobbers st Des
Moines. At Omaha there is a disposition
to trade more freely now that the political
contest ia ended.
A moderate increase in trade, particu-
larry hardware and cloi oihing. is reported
from Milwaukee, and more confidence as TO