Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-02


Condition OF Businsss at enc metropolis
Merchants More Cheerful, but Anxious
Isl Awaiting q Tariff 8ettlement-Pros-
poets OF au Expansion OF Trade.
NEW YORK, March The undertono
OF trade is growing stronger, but BUSH
ness Ia nearly all branches is nOticably
kesitating, until a clearer view Of the
future Is obtained. The continued de-
lay Of the tariff settlement Is being felt
IN many quarters. Manufacturers report
the volume Of orders increasing al
though still small 10 the aggregate and
considerably behind those OF a year ago.
ln some lines the increase Is very
marked, but In others a falling of is re-
ported AS whole, there are enough
orders being given and accepted 20 keep
present hands employed and 20 warrant
giving unemployment TO a moderate
percentage OF those laid of last fall.
The plethora Of idle funds, although
less than a week ago, Is still perceptible
aud the glut OF money in the markets
still indicates that the volume Of gen.
eral business is not heavy enough 20
employ the circulation available.
The recent Withdrawal Of 500 900, 900
new government bonds has been scarce
ly felt in the present money over
burdened markets. To was expected
that this amount Withdrawn from the
mountain Of idle funds would cause a
hardening OF interest rates. Such,
however, has not proved the case.
Rates are as weak as ever, and money
can be had in any quantity az per
cent. for 30 days, o - for 60 days and 3 per
cent. for six months. The offerings
are still largely To- excess of the de-
mand. which is light. IJ is learned
from inside sources that these rates are
not actually the lowest That some Of
trust companies in their desire 90 en-
pluy their funds, are making loans for
year 40 per cent. This Is the lowest
rate ever recorded in this market.
Commercial paper Is ia small supply
and the market for 10 is dull Rates
continue from 81 90 per cent, ac-
C0rdiDg To- grade.
Tn industrial Improvement, a slightly
better demand for some lines Of textile
goods is felt. and the various houses re-
port the number OF mills re-starting
over go per cent greater than those re-
ducing output. While orders for wool
ems ana worsteds are light, the demand
for fancy cottOns and dress goods is
considerably better. ClOthiers are doing
about co per cent of the usual Spring
business, and the outlook 10 this direc-
tion is brighter.
On general commodities, prices are
almost one and q half higher than at
the FIRST OF the year, but still. eleven per
cent lower than at the same time last
year. Asa whole, thay are still lex
cepting 1880 the lowest ever known.
Taken altogether, however, business
IS undeniably improving. To many
quarters production Is increasing, aud
although prices are slow 90 advance,
the tone iu the various lines is more
wholesome Instead OF reducing output
the majority of the larger business
houses here are showing disposition 20
extend their lines and are making more
effort 90 secure new accounts than since
the beginning of the panic.
Collections are reported as satisiact-
Ory, and 10 Is the opinion of the leading
bankers and merchants that the depres-
sion is becoming less severe. TO is their
opinion that no marked expansion Of
business will be experienced until the
tariff has been settled, bnt that sue
Cesding that advent rapid spreading
out To- all directions will set in.