The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-18
DUN'S WEEKLY REVIEW.
A Glimpse at Trade Throughout the
Couutry-Largc orders for Steel Como
from Towns in tho West.

from Towns in tho West.
New York, April 17.-R. G. Dun 4
Co. will say tomorrow in their weekly
review of trade:
Failures for the past week have been
223 In the United States against 24l
last year and 30 In Canada against "a
last year.
The sudden change from sleighing to
midsummer heat has tested the prevail
ent idea that good weather only was
needed to bring general Improvement
of business. Everywhere there has
been more retail buying, and In some
branches better demand at wholesale
and az the works has resulted, but not
as yet In most lines. There Is no abate-
ment of the almost universal disposi-
tion to deal with unusual conservatism
and not to anticipate future wants. and
this has been especially conspicuous
where combinations have been formed
or prices advanced.
To many interested in iron. ore and
coke, steel billets. bessemer pig and
various forms of steel, 1t may be dis
appointing that the forming of com
binations and fixing Of prices have not
started again the rush to buy ahead Of
needs, which made last year so memoir
able. But 1t Is not easy to forget the
lesson which the past year taught.
Instead of increasing. purchases have
on the whole rather slackened, though
a little better in tank plates at the
| east. and in sheets at Chicago. Bes-
semer pig and grey forge are a shade
lower at Pittsburg, as Is the average
Of all iron and steel quotations. and
obstacles to some attempted combina-
tions have not yet been overcome. The
net nf oil hov
not hastened to make contracts at ad-
vanced prices, and. the output of coke
Is satisfactory. Tin plate makers are
meeting, and some propose to produce
steel for their trade at plants of their
own. Their unsOld stocks increased in
March 1883 tons more than was re-
ported last week. At the west almost
every town seems to want steel for
some building, and good orders have
been placed for bars by implement and
car makers.
SOUTH BUYS FREELY.
The boot and shoe makers have put
some quotations a shade lower since
leather has fallen below the average a
year ago, and hides to the lowest aver
age since November. 1894. having de-
clined 3 per cent this week. The north
ward though the south has bought free
ly. The silk association states that 40
per cent. Of the machinery and hands
| In the country are idle, partly because
| Of increasing Japanese competition.
Several more wooden mills have shut
down and some have reduced wages 10
| per cent. while many are working only
| half time, but recent advanced by ap-
| praisers not only disclose heavy under
valuations in the past. but tend to
| check future imports. The demand for
| goods does not improve. Somewhat
more demand for staple cottons has
been aroused by bargain prices. but
the closing of many mills for a time Is
urged as necessary.
Wheat rose about cents last week,
met some reaction, but Is a shade high
| er than week ago.
Partly because of low, prices, which
are again the lowest ever known, the
| volume of business represented by
! elea ring house exchanges -ner cent.
| larger than last year. Is 20.4 per cent.
smaller than in April. 1893. Railroad
earnings for April thus far show gain
of only 2.6 per cent. over last year. The
stock market has grown stronger on
stories about things done abroad. few
foreign purchases helping, though
| trusts weakened on the signing of an
antitrust law by Governor Morton.
March imports were $S,912,455 smaller
and exports SIC, 1856. 107 larger than last
year, and the excess of exports was
| $9,144,016. N