The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-30
A SHRINKAGE.
About the Only Change Noted In the
Business World.
DuLLNEss IN THE SHOE TRADE.
Cotton and Wool Quiet and
Iron Weaker. a..

NEW YORK, Nov. 3O.-R. G. Dun & Co,
IN their weekly review of trade, say:
Business has not improved, though there
Is very little change, except in the shrink
age OF prices which period of inaction
naturally causes. After the extraordinary
buying of the summer and early fall a
marked decrease was inevitable, and it is
vet too early in most branches Of business
60 Judge how far the future was antici-
pated in purchases.
Retail stocks ARE still reported full in
nearly all branches, with delayed distri-
button in many on account OF unfavorable
weather.
The movements OF crops are only fair,
both cotton and wheat being largely kept
back in the hope of higher prices, and
there Is prevalent feeling that foreign
imports will fall off-for the last week at
New York they were 81, 100000 less than
last year, although for the past four weeks
20 per cent larger than in that year.
Exports show q little gain-for the week
of 10 per cent, and for the month about l3
per cent, although the small outgo Of cot
ron is still threatening fact as respects
foraign exchanges.
Another sharp fall In hides at Chicago,
taking the average of prices down TO
e78, against l5l.5 July /, has not been fol-
lowed by leather, which has declined only
for grain, nor proportionately by boots
and shoes, though mems grain shoes are
9ls cents lower and women's cents. The
manufacturers are getting remarkably lit
tle new business for the season, and many
look for no material change until after
Jan. /, but shipments for four weeks of
November have been % per cent less than
last year. although taking the whole year
TO dato thero is still an increase of more
than per cent in eases shipped.
Wool.
The wooden business makes scarcely any
gain, although clay worsteds are largely
sold at the advanced prices recently made,
and some dress goods and overcoatings at
prices partly higher and partly lower. The
sales OF wool, which TO a large extent rep
resents speculation and supplies for the
future rather than present consumption,
have been at tho three markets during the
past four weeks "a, 295, ,050 pounds, against
rs, l29, 100 last year, and "a, 37l ,S2l in 1893
and 81, 457, 600 in the same weeks Of 1892.
Metals.
The iron market is decidedly weaker
again, and while bessemer pig has de-
ciined TO sl2S5 at Pittsburg and gray
forge to sl2.25 and platts to $1,000 at
Philadelphia, so that the average of all
quotations is about half of ! per cent
lower than last week, the markets are
really much weaker than the quotations,
as concessions are er'ferally given by
manufacturers In order TO secure business
The coke combination holds prices firmly,
but IL has been Obliged TO reduce Its out
put to five days In the week, so that a de-
cline OF 103S0 tons for the week is re-
corded. Offerings of copper are less
urgent Mt III cents for lake, but tin is
weaker at 425 cents, because of heavy sup
plies, while lead is shade stronger at
6.37 cents.
Wheat.
The western receipts Of wheat continue
larger than last year--for the week 4,505,-
201 bushels, against 1866. .404 year ago,
and for four weeks of November 90. .902, 5i2
bushels, against l5SS0,07S last year As
before, Atlantic exports are relatively
small, and for four weeks have been only
S,267. LOG bushels, -four included, against
6,742, 496 last year. 1t is evident that with
such movements higher prices can hardly
be expected, nor can the exchange situa-
tion be favorably affected.
During the past week failures have been
279 in the United States, against 2S9 last
year, and AZ In Canada, against 80 last