The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-03-23
DUN'S COMMERCIAL REVIEW.

| Although the Improvement Is Slow, and
Not to be Compared with the Prosperous
Times of Two Years Ago-A Feeling OF
Confidence Gradually Returning.
New YORK, March 16.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade, issued to-
day, says:
Substantially all indications of the
state of business are rather more IA
vorable. Farm products are a little
higher, railroad earnings a shade bet
ter. clearinghouse exchanges a small
percentage larger in comparison with
two years ago than in February, and
most of the industries show a some
what better front, though their gain
is not large. Money markets continue
undisturbed, the operations of the
syndiate still prevent exports of
gold, and Withdrawals from the
treasury have of late practically
ceased. There is not much
enthusiasm about the situation, how
ever, because the gain is slow, and
business is yet a long way from what
was one considered a prosperous con-
dition. Further, the gain is in some
cases due to obviously temporary
causes, and in some to causes which do
not make for prosperity.
The higher price of cotton, which
has risen to q. Oh cents, results from be-
lief that the acreage this year will be
greatly reduced. The quantity of
American now in sight, in this coun-
try and in Europe, is about 400, 900
bales, 800, 900 larger than in 1899, after
a crop exceeding 1900, 5000 bales, and
about as much more than half the
greatest consumption ever known of
American in a year.
Wheat has arisen II cents because
government reports only 5000, 600
bushels in farmers hands March L,
though practically nobody in the trade
thinks the estimate correct, and the
accepted estimates are about 60, 900, 900
bushels higher. Western receipts
have again risen above and exports
continue below last years. Corn has
risen l cent, following wheat; pork,
ST. per barrel, and hogs 10 and ard
80 cents per 100 pounds.
Railroad earnings for March compare
better with last years than those early
in February, when storms blocked
traffic, but are 9 per cent. smaller than
in 1898. The complete earnings for
February are IA per cen less than
last year., and ISL per cent less than
in 1898. East-bound tonnage for two
weeks has been ia, 1872 tons against
154, 9O5 last year, and los, 700 in 1898.
The volume of payments through
clearinghouse for the week is ST. per
cent. larger than last year, but 26.9
per cent. less than in 1893.
Imports are just now running a lit
tie smaller than in February, while
domestic exports for two weeks from
New York show q decrease compared
with last year of IL per cent.
The output of pig March / was 1885,
979 tons, a decrease since February l
of 6,412 tons weekly, and the increase
of unsOld stock was So, 900 tons in Feb
ruary, or 1925 weekly. Since Janu-
airy 1 the weekly output has decreased
II, 435 tons, and the accumulation of
unsold stocks has been 125,515 tons.
Prices do not rise, and except at Chi
cago there seems to be no general in
crease of demand. There improve
is observed in nearly all parts of
the industry. particularly in materials
for agricultural implement works, and
Pittsburgh the demand for struc-
tural forms continues large. Bessemer
pig is weaker at Pittsburgh, and while
demand for bar improves, it falls short
of the supply. Sheets are active, and
also wire rods, without change in
prices.
The boot and shoe manufacture is
better, not merely in shipments,
which show the rapidity with which
past orders for spring trade are being
filed, 159, 176 cases having been moved
in two weeks of March, against I63,-
9O7 in 1898, but also in obtaining new
orders for fall at somewhat better
In the cotton manufacture there are
of improvement, apparently
caused by the advance in raw cotton, |
greater confidence that present
for goods will be maintained, so
that the fall in print cloths has been
checked, and there is more buying of
other goods. In the finer and fancy
goods there is a moderate bust
ness, while agents for low and medium
goods are waiting for recorders, though
some have already sold enough for the
if no cancellations come. Sales
Of wool were 4,6s3,2 200 pounds, against
5, 1851, 700 last year, and markets are
quiet without chaD~e.
Money is in better demand, the mar
ket hardens as usual before April l,
and much more commercial paper is
The west is drawing from its
balances here and there have been con-
sales of stocks on foreign ac-
Liabilities thus far reported in fail.
ures for the first week of March
amount to 81 1883, O52, against So, 276, 292
last year; in manufactures S7S5, 900,
s973,57 last year. and in trad.
ing Ss97, Csc, against 81, 254, 93s last
year. The final returns for February
make the aggregate S11, Ala, 374, against
SIT, sos, go last year.
Failures for the week have been 266
IN the United States, against 264 last
year, and 81 in Canada, against SIS last
year.