Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-12-17

Congress and the Approach OF the Holt
days Put On Further Business Until the
New Year. and Leave Present Conditions
Somewhat Unsatisfactory.
NEW YORK, Dec. 12-R- G. Dun &
Co, in their weekly review of trade,
say:
The approach of the holidays and
doubt about the action of congress
put off further improvements until
the new year. While industries have
gained in working forces, they are
waiting for commensurate gain in de-
mand, and, meanwhile, are trying to
clear away embarrassments which re-
strict them. Speculation is hating
and timid. There is no sober-minded
fear of foreign difficulty, but some
have succeeded in imagining that con-
gress might go so far beyond the pres
ident's prudent message regarding
Cuba as to ernbroil this country with
Spain.
Money is in abundant supply, lend
ing in London continues, and there is
nothing to cause less activity in gen.
eral business except that the rush of
orders deferred until after the election
has not been continued. The volume
of business shown by clearings has
been for the week So per cent. smaller
than last year.
The wheat market was weakened
with less gloomy news from other
countries and larger western receipts,
though only 1901, 374 bushels, against
6,oo3, 4O4 last year. Disappoin tment
about the break in prices may help to
In fC
were but 2,755, 651 bushels, -four in
clRded, and for two weeks have been
but 4, 74S, 116 bushels, against 4, 172, AS
last year. Pacific dispatches show
that exports continue very heavy, and
about 30O, 900 tons more are availa bic
from California. The market has de-
cHned 4 cents, and the decrease IN
demand for -four with high rail rates
has closed nearly all the Superior, Du-
luth and many of the northwestern
mills.
Cotton has declined three-sixteenths,
in pite of all the stories that the crop
has been nearly marketed, and con-
tinues to come forward steadily.
With over 10000 bales in sight
there are estimates, based on govern
ment reports, that the yield is $780,
300 bales or less, which would leave
but 3, 800, 900 to come forward in eight
months and three weeks. When the
official report first came there was a
rush of buyers; a few minutes turned
the current and a. rapid decline fol-
lowed.
The iron output December 1 was
l42, 27S tons weekly, against 124,077
November l and 2l3,7 year ago,
and unsold stocks reported were 81, 90l
tons smaller than November 1, but
these do not include stocks of the big
steel companies.
Textile industries are working
larger force than in October, but there
is not much evidence of larger de-
mand, and some kinds of goods are ac-
cumulating. AS raw cotton is lover,
some yielding in prices of staples is
expected, and buying is. on that ac-
count, more restricted, few qualities
of goods having slightly declined.
Print cloths are weak in tone, with
enormous stocks.
Wooden goods are not in better de-
mand, and there is general indisposi-
ton to make commitments ahead.
Sales of wool in two weeks, il, 37s, 900
pounds, against II ,999, 200 last year.
are this year largely between traders,
as the mills find at present little en-
couragement to buy, and London5sales
are a shade weaker. Quotations. are
not changed, though more freqdent
concessions are reported.
Failures for the week have been $50
in the United States, against 333 las2
year, and 43 in, Canada, against kAsel-~At
year.