The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-06
MARGINS RETAIL TRADE.
A MARKED IMPROVEMENT OYER
THATOFA YEAR AGO.
On the Heels Of the Advance In Coke
Comes a Rise In Lake Ore OF 10
Per Cent

NEW YORK. April Or. G. Dun &
70 - r.oklv review of trade will say:
Returns Of the highest importance
given this week show the condition OF re-
tail trade in March throughout the coun-
trv. and the distribution Of goods to final
consumers I'm comparison with the same
months in 1894 and 1893. While the re-
turns cannot be condensed into single
comparison. and in view OF widely differ
ing conditions In different sections and
branches might in that form be the less
useful. there is gratifying evidence that
in most trades and districts marked inn
movement over 1894 is realized, though,
on the whole. trade is smaller than in
1893.
The best news from the industries is
that labor troubles have been settled or
avoided. Mahonlng iron and es stern wool
en- mills being again in active operation.
AN spvANcE IN IRON ORR.
Following the rise in coke, there have
heen this week sales of 100000 tons OF
Lake ore at about Is per cent. advance,
and finished products are 10 longer mae
tive, Bessemer iron rising 10 >lo.oo' Grey
Forge to 1875. common par TO 20 cents,
per ton. Chicago shares In the rise, and
an Illinois steel company has achieved
a notable success In taking the contract
for steel plates for ship-yards ar New
port News. Eastern WORKS gam more
slowly. Notwithstanding the low price OF
anthracite coal The production oil 'oH-
nelsville coke for the week-les'lVl tons
was the largest on record Dut theIc II
some fear that higher coke and ore may
close some works Copper is firmer, as
sales of the stock taken from the frerch
syndicate removed a load over the mar
ket for the past six years and mas oeen
stronger with tin plate for Pacinc can
ners.
The cotton manufacture, once stimu-
lated by the rise in raw cotton. goes on
gaining, though Gotten has matted. Bet
ter demand appears for many qnaiiues'
and In some slight advances in price.
COMMERCIAL FAILURES
Commercial failures in the first quarter
Of 1895 numbered 3,S02. with liabilities or
81. S136s3. averaging $3.50 each. There
we're also thirty-five bank failures, with
liabilities OF si2.6s2,6S7, or $3so,vO each.
II both we're Jumped together, as they
are in other reports, the aggregate OF
liabilities here reported would De >oV'-
1885, 90
The demand for money is somewhat
better but since April LIST less increase
is noted In commercial loans.
BE1rrR FEELING IN TRADE SOUTH.
NEW YORK, April 5.-Bradstreets to-
morrow, April 9Th, will say:
The appearance of more settled wealth
er, together with the continued strength
OF cotton, stimulating manufacturers 70
demand higher prices Tor fall delivery
rains I'm northwestern wheat regions,
o., further increases
in wages Of industrial employees, heaviest
| shipments Of wheat abroad. and the rush
of the volume OF the weeks bank clear
ines above the thirteen billion mark, are
| evidences OF the continuation OF Dettei
| feeling i'm business circles, and returning
| confidence in many lines OF business.
| Rather less of improvements IN teeilhs
| and volume OF distribution or MERCHANDISE
bas been felt at the South. the central
| Western and some Eastern Industrial aho
| commercial centres continuing TO report
relatively greater increases in demand
| and prospects.
| Trade has been fair at Charleston
where demand Is relatively best for phos'
| phates. and there Is Improvement al
| Memphis and Nashville under the weath,
~ stimulus. No change Is reported
from Augusta: at Savannah business Is
| quiet. except for naval stores, while az
| jacksonville the volume OF trade mas ue'
creased. There is better request toi
dry goods, shoes and groceries at Az
| lanta. where one cotton mill IS dounlihi
| IFS capacity. Reports from BIRMINGHAM
and from Chattanooga are III contrast is
sho former falling to record special i'm
movement, while Chattanooga refers C
gains i'm several lines. Wholesale bust
| ness at New Orleans and at GalVest0i
shows moderate improvement, dry gooos
and groceries receiving. perhaps more
| attention.