Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-19
BRADSTREET's REPORT.
The Improvement in Business Continues
Gain in Volume Of Sales.

morrow, will say: The moderate i'm.
provement in trade of the past few
weeks continues and is emphasized by
further speculative purchases of wool
renewed buying by wooden manufac-
turers, a reduction of surplus stock OF
cotton goods, an increased demand fol
seasonable fabrics, a continued conf
dence among manufacturers of iron
and steel that there will be an early
revival in demand. and the improve
ment in request for staple goods in the
South Atlantic and Gulf states. The
volume of sales of general merchandise
shows a small gain over last week, and
the feeling among wholesale merchants
is one of more confidence in compare
tive early improvement.
Unexpectedly large sales of dry goods
are reported from Boston, Chicago and
St. Louis, with indications that they
may continue throughout the month
At the more important Northwestern
centers larger sales of hats, shoes. hard
ware and drugs are reported although
the total is less than in the like portion
of last year. Much of the gain Souti
is due to the rapidly with which the
cotton crop is being gathered and mar
keted. New Orleans reports the banks
lending more freely than anticipated
and the outlook consequently more en-
ouraging.
Boston wool sales amount to 5,500,0of
pounds, this week, three lifths of which
was taken in large blocks by specula-
tive buyers and manufacturers, the
result being a firmer feeling and higher
t1rirac for, tho hoe 70,
mills are starting up, and there is a
relatively less Improvement in wooden
goods, varieties which sell we'll being
the exception. Shoe manufacturers re
port little doing beyond selling samples
for spring delivery and fewer case or
ders are likely until after the election.
Mercantile collections are almost uni
versally slow, some centers reporting
them almost impossible to make. None y
markets are less stringent, and the
rates less high. Funds tend to the in
terror and the Northwestern grain elc-
vator owners have secured large
amounts to move their crops. Banks
continue to care for regular customers,
but few time loans are made, and the
rates for loans ON call in some intancea
have advanced.
AT San Francisco general business is
somewhat more active, particularly
exports of barley. Trade is stimulated
a. the leading Washington business
centers in which state rains have dam
aged the grain crops. The Willamette
valley. Oregon, wheat raisers are SELL
ing wheat freely at current quotations.
Among the favorable features is the
mr. tp nd pf,.
of last week being continued. with III
creases for hides, owing to scarcity: for
wool, on the speculative demand from
England and from domestic manufac-
turers; of wheat prices, due to large
and steady export movement, -four be-
ing in sympathy with wheat: oats on
the short crop and of prices for Indian
corn, lard. coffee and print cloths Iron
and steel prices are firmer in the ex-
pectation of a revival after election,
and the quotations of leather is firm on
the advance in hides. Sugar and cot
ton quotations have been lower.
Exports of wheat (hour included as
wheaO from both coasts of the United,
States this week, We're 1855. 1926 bushels
against 1885, Geo in the week, one wear
ago.
The increase in total bank clearngs
throughout the United States, this
Week, is somewhat larger than the re-
cent alternate weeks, amounting to
$9o9000.000, All increase of 20 per cent
compared with last week, and a de-
crease of Is per cent when contrasted
with the corresponding period of last
year.
The total number of failures through
OUT the United States this week were
315, which is 81 more than the CORE
| spending week of last year. The in
| creased proportion of the number OF
failures of concerns with large capt.
| taliZation continues notable.