The times., 1897-05-22

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and has expressed himseH exactly as this
column does in regard tQ what is hoped
by the friends of both biHs. No one has
yet attempted to explain the action of
the senate OH the gas bills, first defeating
them and then making them spc ial
order.
The people who see below: the surface
consider that most of this gossip relative
to the expected passage of the bills is
put out to induce people to buy Chicago
Gas. There is a possibility that If the
bills were really passed Gas might go up
a few points. but If they fail on their
second trial the bottom Is bound to
drop out OF Chicago Gas trust stock The
next hearing Of the bills is set for next
Tuesday.
There is no question that Jersey Central
is being sold Nearly everybody is saying
that long stock has lately come out and
that there is no longer much difficulty
in borro wing Jersey Central for delivery.
r. G. Dun & CO. S weekly review OF trade
says:
unmi stable evidence OF Improvement
comes in the general increase OF CONNER
companies, though some wel-known houses
in the Middle West appear with consiiera-
bic rediscounts from the South.
Not for long time have commercial
loans been fully half OF the whole. The
distinct change gives proof that the new
business has been larger than many have
supposed. Receipts of Inopey from the
interior exceed shipments $1,000 900,
10 or
gold have no influence aud only signify
the willingness of Russia TO pay price
for the gold needed The excess of mer-
handise imports to answer demands 'or
half year to come involves greater ex-
cess ofexports when the anticipatoryInove
ment ends and crops begin TO move, which
fact renders large outgoes OF gold less
likely, and gives the country a stronger
position in tnternational markets Mean
while, there is a continued increase, dis
tnct though gradual, in the volume OF
business in demand for products Of manu-
facture, and, considering the time OF year,
in movement of grain and produce.
The iron industry has quite an increase
in new business, though notin all branches.
Part was due To the rupture of the steel
beam pool, and the fan in prices from
81 55 10 81 60.
Railroad earnings reflect material IN
crease in westbound movement, especially
Of high-class freight, in part because OF
cutting OF rates, and in spite Of some grain
tonnage earnings of all roads reporting
for the first half of May were per cent
greater than last year, and only 2.S per
cent less than in 1892.
Failures for two weeks of May have been
So ,731, against $6,719.f53 last year;
S5,1Te,756 in 1895, and S5,071,116 in
1894 Manufacturing were So, ,6o7 ,666,
against 81 ,0o3.I last year, while trad
ing were S2,792,715, against S4,635.987
last year. The excess over last year. as IN
April, is wholly due to manufacturing fail
ures, those in trading being smaller than
for three years Failures for the week
have been 24s, against 227 last year
Bradstreets' says: The slight improve
ment in trade is in the tendency OF busi-
ness 20 increase in few cities in tue
northwest, on the Pacific coast and in
South Atlantic and Guif States. Larger
Eastern ccntes report the movement of
merchandise slow and trade dull The
season is now so far advanced that no
general gain is looked for till after fan
buying sets in
Prices OF staples have tended downward
this week, conspicuously for cotton, sugar,
leather, shoes, turpentine, wheat, oorn,
pork, la rd and coffee.
Bank clearipgs throughout the United
States this Week amount TO S975,000,000,
n decrease OF nearly 3 per cent frOH last
week, and > per cent from the third week
OF May, 1896.
There are 245 business failures throughout
the United States this week. which is
not far from wha. ma becalled the normal
The total is compared with 25l last week
and 216 in the third week OF May, 1896
Reports OF wheat flour included as - heaD
from both coasts of the United States and
from Montreal this week amount 20 2,G55,-
e62 bushels, compared with 2.lS3,OO9
bushels last week, ,9O6 ,0oO bushels in the
week year ago. 2,754 600 bushels two
years ago. 2,310 900 bushels three years
ago, and 3,1oe, 900 bushels in the like
week OF 1898.