The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-04
An Unusually Quiet Week in
Mercantile Circles.
AN INCREASE IN FAILURES
Merchants Now Stock-taking
and Preparing Samples.
STRIKING CONTRAST IN PRICES
The Produce Market has Shown Some
Surprising Changes and has
influenced all Nearly
Business.

Business.
New Iork, Jan. 3.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: The week which
ended with 1895 and ushered in 1896
has been very dull in mercantile circles,
as is usual at this point. The volume
of business has fallen away sharply,
owing to the New Years holiday and
TO quiet in trade circles at time when
stock taking and preparing samples
for commercial travellers are taking
the attention of jobbers and commits
sion houses.
A slackening of activity in some of
the important manufacturing lines is
likewise noticeable and il is significant
that kilograms from so many centres
report mercantile collections slower
and unsatisfactory. The exception be-
ing at few points in Southern States.
Jobbers in leading lines at many cen
ters are confident as to the outlook
for trade in the near future, although
in instances fears are expressed of an
unfavorable effect, due TO inability to
secure necessary legislation on fnan-
ical questions.
Exports of wheat flour included as
wheat) from both coasts of the Unit
ed States this weed amount to $685.
73l bushels, compared with 3,14200O
bushels in the corresponding week
last year
Exports OF Indian corn this week,
which amount to 3,227,o bushels are
exceptionally heavy, being larger than
those for any previous week since that
ending February 21st, 1892.
AS is usual at this season, there is "a
considerable increase in the number
of business failures in the United
States, the total reported being 403,
this week, against 316 last week, 373
III the week one year ago, 4S2 two years
ago, and as compared with 313 in the
week three years ago.
II. q. DUN & CO.'S DEvIEW.
New York, Jan. 3.-R. G. Dun a.
Co.'s Weekly Review of Trade to-mor-
row win say: Commercial failures
during the complete year 1895, num-
ber 13.197, against 1885 in 1894, but
the aggregate of liabilities is slightly
greater, S113, ,196,060, against $172, ,992,
$50, so that the average per failure is
$13,124, against $12,45S in 1894. The
bright promise offered by a large de-
crease in the first quarter was followed
by small increase in the second and
third quarters, and a large increase in
the last quarter of the year. In that
quarter also the preferred liabilities to
each firm was increased, and also
the propotion of the deferred liabili-
ties to payments through clearing
houses.
Remarkable contrasts are shown this
week in prices Of materials and of
manufactured products, Compared
with January /, 1895, prices of manu-
factured products and of materials
rose for pig iron 75.1 per cent at the
highest point, but only 81 at the
close, while manufactures OF iron rose
53.7 at the highest point and 23.5 at
the close, anthracite coal rising 1873,
but closing So per cent lower than
January /, 1895. Cotton rose 64.7 per
cent at the highest point and All at
the close, but cotton goods only 16.S
at the highest and 14.5 at the close.
Hides rose 1875 Mt the highest point,
and 1910 at the close; leather 4S.0 at
the highest and 21.4 at the close, and
boots and shoes 27.9 at the highest
and 1876 at the close. Wools rose TT at
the highest point and go at the close,
but woolen goods rose only g of per
cent at the highest point, closing
shade weaker. Silk 14.3 at the highest
point and 1911 at the close. The com
parsons cast much light on the de-
preston and increase i'm failures dur
ing the last year.
Produce markets have been the
theatre of surprising changes, which
have influenced all business. The acre
age in cotton was wisely restricted in
order to give producers "a better chance
for fair returns, and the crop was
further reduced TO some extent by in
jury, but growers were injured still
more by frantic speculation, which
checked exports, and by false informa-
ton and advice. Wheat producers
suffered in like manner from wild
speculation, which prevented the ex-
porting of many million bushels, and
false reports which encouraged farm
ers to keep back their grain until the
cream had been taken off the market
by spectators. Atlantic exports for
the last five weeks, -four included,
have been 9,411,250 bushels against
9,703,673 last year. The great crop of
corn has materially affected the prices
OF meats.