The herald., 1895-01-01
FROM BRADSTREET AND DUN.
The Mercantile Agencies Give
Very Encouraging Reports.
Los Angeles Shows an Increase in
Clearances.
Failures Have Boon Less During tho
Year-Trsde Has Been Good With
- Better Outlook.

tlel prO9r6He CAL DO houoIuou lOf sho
year OF 1894. While it is true thst some
features have been disappointing. the
balance is largely in our favor, and the
importance of the city in commercial
sense has been clearly demonstrated
under circumstances that apparently
should have precluded any advance
msnt.
During the past three years there has
been an increasing tendency to expand
our jobbng trade to the north, and the
year just cloaed has demonstrated that
the section comprising the counties OF
Kern, Tulare and King is not only de-
batabe ground, but in a measure be-
coming our territory. Beyond Visnlia
freight rates will not permit active COM
petition with San Francisco, although
in special lines many goods are sold
north Of that point.
Shipments into Fresno, MADEIRA and
Merced counties ale beooning more fire..
quent.
In the matter of local business, while,
as is the case everywhere, collections
have been slow, the volume of trade
hes increased and, generally speaking,
tho amount of goods handled haa been
materially in excess of former years.
This is particularly significant when it
Ia taken into consideration that 1t re-
quires larger bulk OF goods at present
decreased values, to produce the same
aggregate amount OF fnales.
The holiday trade is conceded to have
been equal to, if not greater, than that
enjoyed in any previous season,
and there hae been no apparent scarcity
OF money for such purposes.
The record of bsnk cleariugs COM
piled by the Bradnereeta shows for
eleven months ending Deosmbsr lat.
1894, iu "a cities reported, decrease
from last year in all but eleven. Among
the latter stands Los Angelica with an
increase OF per cent over 1898, and 20
per cent over 1892.
The clesrings in the group of Pa
cife coast cities outside of Los Angeles
ebows decrease from lset year of about
10 per cent. These figures indicate, so
far as they are able, what cur position
is, and what tho year's results have
been, compared with other trade CEN
ters.
In the matter of business failures in
Southern California. the death rate has
been about the eamo as in 1898, l50
failures having been reported In 1893
against 147 in 1894, The total liebii-
ties, however, have been materially
less during the lass year, aggrsgating
$500,646 as against S767 1862 in 1893.
thus showing that disaatera have bseu
among smaller traders az rule.
The records of the Bradatfeet compa-
nv show considerable increase in the
number of honsss doing business III Los
Angeles over the previous year, and
there has also been aOme gain ia outside
houses. Business men, without excep-
tioD, express confidence ia the future of
our city and while they complain that
goods are being cold upon a very close
margin, it goes without saying that this
system always makes On attractive mar
ket and must produce good results later
on, and thsre is y confident feeling aps
parent that we are entering yoar that
will prove the most prosperous and bring
us the most substantial growth in our
history.
DUN's STATEMENT.
The closing year throughout the
country in general has been one of
almost continuous business depression.
Strikes, labor disturbances. congssted
condition of the money market. uncer-
tainty of tho tariff, have ssBlsted in
eauaing a demoralzirg condition OF
affairs. Even now, when there are no
moro stYiken nor Tumore of strikes, when
the tariff bill is signed, the main eondi-
tione of trade have not suddenly changed.
Weekly fluctuations give material both
for encouragement and encouragement,
but the great improvement in Dusin ess
80 strongly and hopefully prophesied for
these more settled conditions has not
come, nor do those who read most
clearly the signs of the times CONNER
cially confidently cay it will soon. The
existing condition ie one OF business
uncertainty.
We turn with relief. however, TO a re.
view of tho situation. locally, and find
the business outlook for Southern Cali
fofpia very encouraging. The closing
year has been one of general increasing g
prosperity, particularly the last half,
and there is every indication OF O
healthy condition of affairs among deal
ers in this aection-Los Angeles in par
ticular. The strike and q dry year
affected some, but we hear few COM
plants. Retail business has been gem
orally ahead Of last year, and the holi-
day trade 10 reported Hs the largest ever
known. The lumber trade reports large
increase in volume over 1898. but profits
small, the effect OF too keen competi-
tion. Wholesale men report no great
increase but fair average. There have
been, however. q good many Losses
caused by too liberal credit system.
The hardware business for the first
six months of the year was short OF cor.
responding months of 1898. but the oil
excitement and consequent demand for
supplies has brought the year well up
the average.
Fruit firms report augmented vol
umns OF trade but little profit, but a
hopeful feeling for better returns in
handling the citrus fruit.
Especially gratifying to Los Angeles
and vicinity is the number of new in
dustrieo established during the past
year. The Los Angelica Iron and Steel
works is now in full operation, employ
ing large number of men. The AL
hambra shoe factory ia extending it's
trade over q large territory.
Two concerns have undertaken the
manufacture OF bicycles upon quito an
extensive sosls and find ready mar
ket.
The Cotton Cement works have in
veated 100000 in their plant and are
turning out 1000 barrels OF Portland
cement per week.
One OF the city's oldest firms, Mey berg
Bros. have commenced the manufacture
ing of gas and electric fixtures.
NJ =