The record-union., 1896-02-29
CONDITION OF TRADE.
No General Change for the Better the
Past Week.
The Want of Sufficient Demand for
Products of Great Industries Re-
tards Actual Improvement.

NEW YORK, Feb. 2S.-R. G. Dun g.
Co. will say tomorrow in their weekly
review of trade:
Failures in three weeks of February
show liabilities of 1855, ,936, against
$S. 523, OPS last year, and $11, ,420, ,41S
in 1894 Failures for the week have
been 27S in the United States, against
250 last year, and 5S in Canada, against
3S last year.
In some quarters there are gains at
the West rather than at the East, but
there is no general change for the bet
ter, although hopefulness still predom-
mates. Foreign affairs grow more pa
cific, the public turns more resolutely
toward sound money, but the want of
sufficient demand for the products of
great industries still retards actual inn
p5 ovement.
Strikes of some Importance IN gar
ment making and kindred lines of the
manufacturing trade have occurred at
Chicago and Baltimore. but there are
fewer labor difficulties than usual, as
existing conditions warn wage earners
that controversies at this time are un-
wise.
The speculative markets show little
life. The volume of business does not
improve. Exchanges through the prin-
cipal clearing houses show l9.t per cent
gain over last year, but the month
comparison with 1893 is the only in
structive one, and shows a decrease OF
2O.7 per cent. for February.
Railroad earnings for the third week
OF February exceed last years 81 per
cent. and for February thus far have
been 110S per cent. greater than last
years Stock speculation has been r.
regular, and Cuban war talk on Friday
caused a break in railroad stocks aver
aging sixty-three points. Disappolnt-
ing industrial statements, together with
the general break, lowered the trusts
81 4S
Wheat has taken a flight upwards, ad-
yancing three fourths of a cent for cash
and 2as for May, with rumors of foreign
supplies as the only basis. Estimates
of wheat in farmers hands are lower
than last year, but still indicates, with
visible stocks, a supply that is beyond
probable needs.
Cotton has been weaker, with only
fair receipts, the important decline IN
Great Britain having much influence
The price of middling uplands has de-
c,ined a sixteenth and preparations
for a large increase of acreage is still
reported. The market for textile goods
is disappointing. Material reductions
in cottons have not brought out the
needed demand, and a further decline
in Lawrence L. L. sheetings this week
of AZ cents corresponds with reports
that mills of some importance may de-
eide to rest production for time until
the demand improves.
Woolen mills are receiving consider
able orders for spring goods, but busi-
ness for the future does not mend. clay
worsteds are again a shade lower. The
range for all woolens is scarcely per
cent. higher than year ago, although
wool is more than Z per cent. higher,
and a good many mills are closing or
reducing time.
The feature in the iron market has
been the large demand for wrought
and cast pipe. Large orders FOR struct-
,.ral work are received at Chicago and
executed at the East, as building plans
are unusually large, but sheets sell
slowly and rails very little, though par
is fairly active with many orders COM
ing for cars. Iron quotations average
9 per cent lower for the week.. because
Of the drop in, bessemer at Pittsburg TO
S12 80 and in gray forge to $40 10
The demand for boots and shoes gains
very little.
Exports of domestic products from
New York for three weeks show gain
Of 10 per cent over last year, while
imports in the same time scarcely in
crease. But export bills are diminish
ing rapidly at this season, while larger
imports naturally come in succeeding
months and many security bills have to
be met in the near future. 1t is be-
lieved, therefore, by many that gold ex-
pcrts are not far off.