The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-23
MORE BUSINESS
Though Not at Better Prices Is
the Report
Sent Out by the Dun and Brad
street Agencies.
PRICES ARE LOWER.
Els ARE LOWER.
There Is a Larger Production
and More Men Employed.
Apprehension of Money Disturb
ances Has Passed Away.

There is more business, though not
at better prices. 1t is interesting that
almost all prices which change at all
are lower than a week ago, and yet
business is unquestionably larger. There
is larger production, but as yet not as
much increase in consumption, and
there is larger buying of materials, but
at present only because better prices
are expected in future. A few conspic-
uous failures during the week have mad
no material influence.
The market for securities is slightly
stronger, and yet there is very little
doing. The number of hands employed
all industries considered, is slightly
larger than a week ago. with adverse
changes in the rate of wages. All ap-
prehension of foreign disturbances of
money markets has passed away, but
there is still great caution in making
loans. 1t is q mistake TO reckon these
as symptoms of depression. On the
contrary, in spite of the lower range of
prices in important Industries, the con-
ditions all indicate larger production
and a consumption increasing, not as
yet largely, but steadily.
Wheat, corn and cotton exports are
the key of the financial situation and
during the past week wheat has declin-
ed 3 to cents and corn Sc, while cot
ton is unchanged. The western re-
ceipts of wheat are still small, 5S1, 900
bushels less than a year ago, and for
three weeks of January 4,159, 719 bush
els against 7,666.709 last year. but the
"A
1884, 715 bushels for the week against
1856. 457 last year, and in three weeks
of January have been SOS, O32 bushels
against 6,S49, 648 last year. The price
has declined for corn also, although ev-
erybOdy knows that the heavy exports
mean rela tiVely more than the exports
of wheat. Cotton is unchanged after an
eighth decline, but the continuing large
movement from plantations and de-
preston of manufacturing here and
abroad do not encourage higher prices
There has been a general reduction in
prices of cotton goods, which at present
stimulates larger buying.
The wooden industry is as slow as ev-
er and no real improvement appears in
the demand for goods, although, owing
to the lateness of the season, there is a
little more buying without quotable
change in prices. The heavy buying of
wool II entioned last week has cOntin-
ued with smaller concerns participating
and is understood to be in anticipate
of expected duties. the sales at Boston
alone having amounted o II, 56S, 900
pounds. Quotations have not changed
as yet, although western holders are
quite stiff.
In the minor metals stronger tone
is general, and with an output of H.
619 tons in the United States and 1855
in other countries, which is larger than
| in any other month since July in other
countries, and, except in October,
larger than in any other month since
March last in the United States. cop
per is slightly stronger at 12c- Lead has
tin is steady at 13.40c with a stronger
market at London
The iron industry is engaged in set
thing relative prices and the slow oper-
alton retards business in many branch
eS since the future of prices is uncer-
| tain. Bessemer pig is a trit1e lower at
! 5000 at Pittsburg and grey forge $40,
| though no further decline has occurred
| in eastern markets at Chicago. But
| the competition of new concerns tempt
| ed to manufacture nails by the high
! prices recently maintained, caused
| slightly lower sales of wire nails at
| Sips. The bar association has been in
session to consider the reduction of
| steel bars and the billet association has
| again been called together to meet on
| the 18th, although there is no prospect
| of its reorganization and billets are
selling at $15.25 at Pittsburg.
! The increase in manufacturing is per-
| hapS more definitely shown than in any
other way by the production of coke.
! which steadily increases, 9,S17 ovens be-
| ing in blast, against S,175 idle, and the
| weeks output, LOG, 8SS tons, is over dou-
BILE the output of October L.
| Failures for the week have been 400
! in the United States against 373 last
| year and 65 in Canada against 81 last
| year.
The aggregate of gross earnings of all
railroads in the United States reporting
| for the first half of January is 80 1877, 724,
| a decrease of "A compared with last
! year and of 10-1 per cent compared with
! the corresponding period in 1893. Only
/ X H.
| and southwestern groups are the num-
Der of roads reporting sufficiently large
| and important TO give fair indication
| of what the roads in those sect ions are
! doing. The granger and other western
! roads continue to report losses compar-
| ed with both years, with which compar-
| ison is made. The southern roads re
port a gain over both years aud the
| southwesterns a considerable loss COM
| pared with 1893.
BRADSTREET'S
/ T2r-ad ZfT he 11V--
aging fea tuTe of the trade situation this
week is the increased demand from
| manufacturers for wool. The decision
! of print cloth makers to curtaii the OUT
| put Will emphasize recent sales of the
| heavy surplus stock and promises a
| better market. To these may be- added
! the increase in the volume of domestic
| bank clearings a general eadiness of
prices and the healthfulness of general
! trade in almost all departments. Con-
! SerVatiSm in granting credits and the
| preference by retailers and others to
buy oftener. but in small quantities
continue to mark the course of business
as not before for years;
| Trade is increasing in almost all lines
| although very slowly y radical inn
| pTovement in the near future, based on
| q slow but healthful increase in the
consumptiYe demand is. in the absence
| of Unforeseen obstacles almost a GER
tainty. The prices appear to include
few, if any that are higher than a week
ago, while flour, wheat, corn. lard crude
| petroleum. tin, ResSenler pig iron and
steel billets are lower Wool remains
firm al practically unchanged prices
but is likely to advance if The present
demand continues. Leather is also firm
and unchanged, as are lumber, cotton,
print cloths, pork. coffee ard sugar.
Exports of wheat (hour included as
Wheat), from both coasts of the United
States. this week (St. John. n. B., in
cluded), amount to 2,916,705 bushels, as
| compared with 2.94e. 900 bushels last
week Z. $40 900 in the same week year
| ago. 9. $40 600 in the week two wears ago