The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-02-15
A REVIEW OF BUSINESS.
Dun Says Confidence Increases in
Spite of Drawbacks.
VIEWS SITUATION 0PTIMlSTICAlLY
Bradstrect Doesn't See 1t That Way
Crushing Vote Against silver was
Eucouraglps-Outlo

New York, February H-R G.. DUN IL |
Co.'S weekly review, which issues tonior-
row. will say; There IS weak status OF
business. closeness OF money and prolonged
inaction of congress- but confidence IN
creases. The production Of pig iron-l9S,
500 tons weokly-February Is 4.S per cent
less than January / and SIS per cent less
than November T.; the unsold stock III
creased 63,lSS tons in January, showing an
output much exceeding the present de-
mand, and. moreover, iarger stocks than
for long time are carried by the great
steel works Pig iron at the East anu At
Chicago has not advanced, Southern COM
petition continuing, with prices so low
that several Alabama furnaces have stop
ped, but Bessemer is a shade lower at
pittsburg. The demand for plates, sheets
and wire nails continues fairly good and
there are more orders for railroad cars
and bar iron at Chicago, but no further
sales of rails appear and the demand for
finished productions keeps about 40 per
cent Of the capacity employed. The coke
output is again much reduced.
Copper Is a shade nrmcr at lQh, while
tin aud lead are active ami unchanged.
The boot and shoe trade is stil "a d.sap-
pointing factor many factories pens
tlhLtfi, ana rev are MOIhllE Jun NNlt. hNl
lower prices still prevail. Some makers
got good orders Tor Womens light SHOES.
TcNtle work shows little change, though
the cut in print cloths to 30 and a general
concession in brown and hleachcd staples
averaging for the whole list quoted b per
cent since January /, induced more buy
Ing, which accumulation of goods anead
OF demand has hindered. Many mills are
reporting great prOiits last year from Tue
rise in cotton, bus the prospect OF IL larger
crop this year does not promise repetition
Of such gains Though goods still average
IL per cent above their lowest point last
year, cotton is now II per cent higher than
II was then.
Sales of wool have been smul--for the
weeks of February 9320,S pounds. against
1.2GV. 800 last year and T.. ~. $50 in lS93-but
higher prices abroad, sustained by heavy
shipments OF goods to this country in
cline holders of wool here to make no
concessions, SO that manufacturers have
more difficulty In meeting the competition.
Many cancellations of orders for clay
Worsteds and mixtures are reported since
the reduction I'M price. ClOthiers who have
still to carry unsOl1 stocks of dealers as
well as their own defer orders.
Produce markets tend downward. main
~ because supplies exceed expectations.
Wheat has declined =, with Western re
ccipts 3,02a.3O6 bushels. against N5,lY last
year, while Atlantic exports for two weeks
have been only 3,63a 1876 bushels. against
272l,3i4 last year.
Corr, Is a shade lower and both pork and
Cotton receipts, at this season nevcr
large, sim indicate supply for the cur
rent crop, including stocks brought over
much in excess of the worlds needs So
that the prospect of increased acreage has
! the mere power to deurcss prices and spot
| Cottundeclined * for the week Exports III
| January were S,5a3566 less than last year
| though prices were A. per cent higher
Failures for the week have been ~ in
| the United States. against go last year
and 81 In Canada. against 81 last year.