Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-21
THE GENERAL TONE
or Business Seems Good, With the
Prospects Very Encouraging.
The Heaviest Bank CIearings in United States
for Many Years.

New York. Nov 20.- Eratlstreets. to-
morrow. will say: Jobbers and other
do not report the Anticipated increase in
the volume of goods distributed this
week. The mild weather had an unfavor-
able influence. but the sharp drop in the
temperature inclineS to stimulate the de-
mand for seaSonablc fabrics. There are
increased purchases of holiday goods and
the tone Of the market for staples IS ofl'
of encoura cement. The relatively heav
list demand has been for dry goods shoes.
and groceries. but even in these lines,
particularly dry goods. the volume mas
been smaller than was expected and dis
appointment is the result.
There has been no decrease in the job
hing trade and it is slightly larger than
a week ago. in most lines tending TO an
prises which have started up continue
the feature of each days news bulletin.
but there is reason to believe that the
significance of these exhibits has been
oVer-emph asiZed in some instances. The
tendency of hides and leather to advance
checks orders for shoes. While the dry
goods market is firm and dealers are
hopeful, print cloths have weakened or
the reaction in the price of cotton. The
strength of raw wool is maintained and
orders at recent quotations have been re-
fused. Iron and steel industries in some
instances have perfected pools for the al
nance of prices. While the latter are
firm and may go higher, the demand is
temporarily checked.
In addition to the changes in prices
noted. the week is marked by reactions
in quotations for wheat. corn and oats
sugar. turpentine. pork. lard. coffee and
petroleum. Wheat flour advances, as d.
several varieties of lumber iron sheets
and tobacco. Combinations among the
iron and steel makers are expected to add
vance or maintain the recent advances
for nails, bar iron. steel beams. rails ard
billetS and other forms OF steel
The most favorable feature Of the bust
ness week is the increase in bank clear
ings drought the United States. the to-
tai volume of which is 81. 2s36 900 600 nearly
4 per cent. more than the corresponding
week Of a year ago. q per cent. more
than the third week of November 1894 %
per cent more than the like week OF 1882.
and II per cent. more than the CORE
spending period of 1S92-a year of a large
volume of business. Outside of the spec
ulative markets, the tendency of bank
clearings. compared with the correspond
gain of nearly 10 per cent over the week
of last year is due largely to increases of
more than Is per cent. at New York. 40 !
per cent. at San Francisco, 10 per- cent. a
Boston and per cent. at Baltimore.
The total exports OF wheat Uiour in |
United States and Montreal this week. /
We're 3931 233 bushels. against 29i6000 in
the week. a year ago The weeks. ex- |
ports of Indian corn aggregate 2975 ~ /
bushels against less than 2t010G In the !
week OF a year ago.
The gross and net railway earnings for |
the nine months. reflect the severe Eade |
depression which illuminated in the stag
nation preceding the late Presidential
election. Favorable results carrier in the ,
year have not been maintained. and the |
tendency is to wipe out the gains shown