The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-10-09
MARKED REDUCTION IN DEBTS.

MARKED REDUCTION IN DEBTS.
The trade record for the closing dav.
Of September is invested with unusua
significance for the reason that ii close:
the third quarter OF the year ana en-.
ables the industrial s;atistician to max,
comparisons and calculations that ar,
much more valuable as showing the ae,ua
tendency in trade conditions than are
those comparisons thak take single weeks
Of the year as a basis for figuring.
The feature OF the commercial record
for this third quarter of 1897 is the show.
ing in the matter of diminishing liabn-
ities in failures. The average liabilities
OF manufacturing and trading failures
in the United States for this quarter
were only ss27. which were smaller than
in any previous year OF which there was
any classified record.
The most gratifying evidences OF re-
viving prosperity furnished by the reports
OF the week are to be found in the
steady increase in the volume OF legit-
innate business, which was larger than
during the same month In 1872. and in
the increasing activity in the productive
industries. Nearly all manufacturing
plants particularly in iron, steel and
cotton. are increasing their working
forces, and there have been occasional
increases in the wage scales. Iron man
ufacture has been slow to feel the stim-
illus OF the general revival of industry
because less affected by replenishment
Of dealers stocks than other industries.
but it is now being pushed to unusual
expansion by the growing demand for |
finished products.
There was a decline Of cents in the |
price Of wheat. owing to an increase
in the estimate OF the total crop-which /
Is now thought to be about eJo.oca.eo0 |
bushels more than win be required for |
food and scotland decrease in foreign
buying. The exports of wheat. however.
from both coasts and Montreal slightly |
exceed those Of last week. the total ag-
sregating 5,s24,24s bushels. against 42is-
2s4 for the same week last year.
Other unmistakeable evidences Of per-
manency in the upward movement OF |
trade and industry were furnished by the
increase Of 3s.1 per cent in bank clear
ings Of eighty-seven cities, the favorable
reports Of railway earnings, and the
tendency in conservative circles 10 check
the extension Of speculation in stocks
before danger points are reached.
1t is not from wheat alone that the
Western farmers are reaping prosperity
this year. The values of live stock of
all kinds have Increased on an average
Of about 25 per cent, and from the great
stock yards Of Kansas City $4,000. 90 more
than in 1896 win be distributed among the
producers. This is a statement male by
the secretary Of the Live Stock Ex-
change Of Kansas City, after careful cal
culation, and taking into consideration
both the rise in values and the increase
in receipts. Every steer now sold in the
stock yards in that city brings from Sc
10 s. more than the same kind Of
steer brought a year ago; every calf,
from 81 to 50 more; every hog. from 50
to $S.25 more, and every sheep, 81 more
The total value of all the live stock
handled at that market this year will
reach SIZE, 100000 and more. With these
increased profits from his live stock,
added. to the large returns for his wheat
The Western farmer is enjoying a season
Of remarkably good fortune and prosper
Ity, and has good cause for rejoicing.
This is a great year for the farmer and &
4 poor year for the cheap money agitator. I