The record-union., 1896-04-11
WEEKLY REVIEW OF TRADE.
THE VOLUME OF BUSINESS HAS
NOT INCREASED.
Neither Has There Reen ANY Appreci.
able Advance in Prices Since
the First of the Month.

NEW YORK, April 1O-R. G. Dun &
Co. will say tomorrow in their weekly
review Of trade:
Failures for the past week have been
209 In the United States, against POT
last year, and 33 in Canada, against 81
last year. The volume of business has
not on the whole increased, nor have
prices appreciably advanced since April
1st, when the range for all commodi-
ties was the lowest ever known in this
country. Breadstuffs and iron pro-
ducts have risen slightly, but some
other articles have declined, and the
root OF the matter is that demand for
consumption is still below expecta-
tons.
The injury done to winter wheat by
storms and frosts at the West would
appear from reports to have been con-
Siderable. Remarkably low estima tes
are published by some State authori-
ties. and while there may be the GUS
tomary exaggeratious, there has evi-
IDENTIFY been much actual loss. The re-
ports received are not more gloomy
than a year ago, and the quantity of
wheat which has come from farmers
since August has been 1853, 7S1 ,594 BUSH
els, against 129,O75, ,450 to the same date
last year.
Stocks have been extremely dull, and
yet railroad traffic is heavy. Reports
cf earning have not improved, the
March statement of all the roads usu-
ally reporting shows an increase of AZ
per cent. over last year, but a decrease
OF 11.2 compared with 1893, and is less
satisfactory than returns Of January or
February.
Domestic business reflected by clear
ing-house exchanges continues about
20 per cent. smaller than in 1893,
though slightly better than last year.
the occurrence of Good Friday account
ing exact comparison. Foreign trade
shows a decrease of nearly 10 per cent
in exports for the week, though as much
increase in March, while imports gain
nearly 20 per cent though in March the
decrease was IA per cent.
The billet pool and other combinations
have raised prices of pig iron and steel
but as yet finished products have gained
scarcely anything, nor has the demand
for them increased. The output April
1st was 190,2S1 tons weekly, against
1S9,5 March 1st, but reports of stocks
unsold increased S. 1853 tons in March,
or 49, 1872 tons weekly, and there is be-
sides the unknown accumulation of the
great steel concerns. Prices for lake ore
are announced, as expected, 81 10
higher than last year, and the coke
combination makes no reduction, but
gradually lessons the output. While
the purchases of pig iron to anticipate
future wants have been heavy, actual
consumption is but moderate. Minor
metals are dull, but lead is weaker at
305 cents on forced sales West.
Prices of boots and shoes do not
change, though leather and hides are a
little stronger at Chicago, receipts be-
ing small.
Wool is weaker, with sales for the
week the smallest for many months
Prices tend lower except for fine
washed fleece, and manufacturers are
rapidly reducing production.
There is a fair demand in the dress
goods branch, but it is estimated that
not $40 per cent. of the mems wear ma
chinery is at work. There have also
been cotton mills stopping or reducing
time this week. Further reduction in
shifting prints to the lowest point ever
touched failed to increase the demand
noticeably.