The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-03-01
BUSINESS IS IMPROVING
Encouraging Growth Noticed All
Along the Line.
WEEKLY REVIEW OF II. G. DUN & co.


"a Good Effect, Giving Employment to
Thousands of Men Many of the Big
Wooden Mills Resume Operations-Other
| Industries Also Gaining Steadily -Fluct.
uation In the Price of Wheat.
New York. March 1.-R. G. Dun
Genuine Improvement in business does
not come with rush. like the breaking
| of a great dam. The growth for some
weeks past has been more encouraging
because in nearly all lines 1t has been
gradual and moderate. The rupture OF
the steel rail pool and other combina-
tons in the iron business has brought
out vast quantity of trade which had
been held back and set many thousands
of men at work, while the slow but
steady gain in other great industries
has given employment to many thou
sands more. But the full effects will
not appear until increased purchases
by all these swell the distribution OF
goods. Meanwhile, it is substantial
ground for confidence that months
which were regarded by many in the
money market with serious apprehen-
sions have passed without disturbance
and with steady gain in the position OF
the country and of the treasury.
Enormous Increase i'm Demand.
The breaking Of the bonds that have
restricted many branches of the iron
industry has been followed by an enor-
nous increase in demand, and in orders
booked, and by the starting of many
LOT, a.. al oh thea
price Of lake ore for the coming season,
but some expect for Mesaba the price of
1895, while others expect a lower price.
The rapid increase in the coke output
in the Connellsville region. which is now
over 100000 tons, gives prospect of
moderate cost for fuel, and the addi-
ton Of important furnaces to the pro-
ducing capacity prevents a large rise
in Bessemer pig, which has, neverthe-
less, advanced 10 cents at Pittsburg,
with increasing demand. The purchas-
es Of rails are estimated at 100000 tons
within two weeks, whereas the produce
ton last year was 1,102 1872 tons. and the
sales are said to have been only 100000
tons. This insures employment for the
works far ahead, and the eastern works
are taking desirable contracts at $1S per
ton.
Contracts for Export Continue.
Bars are unchanged. but orders for
900 cars by one railway, with numerous
others. have increased the demand, and
plates are required for two great ele-
vators at Chicago. Important contracts
for export continue. American makers
undersell foreigners in tin plate by 70
cents and are selling cotton ties below
Ill al.n
by importers a year ago. With less
rapidity, yet steadily, the other indus
tries are gaining. Although brown
courtyard sheetings are an eighth low
err, and print cloths a sixteenth lower,
1t is found that several cotton mills
have started.
The increasing demand has started
several wooden mills. also including
many making dress goods and hosiery.
The demand for mems woolens is also
somewhat better, especially for heavy
weights, and there are improving sales
of better qualities. The sales of wool
have been 3S,3172OO pounds in four
weeks, against 22,366, 800 i'm the largest
previous year, 1892, and the great es-
Establishments are believed to have sup
piled their possible wants for some
months ahead.
Fluctuations In Wheat.
A single purchase Of 100000 pounds
of South American cross-bred is the
most important noted this week Wheat
enjoyed a brief rise. then dropped over
3 cents, and closed 2B cents lower for
the week. While western receipts are
40 per cent. smaller than last year, for
the past four weeks, Atlantic exports
(hour included) in the same weeks have
been 6,340,4 15 bushels against 7,043,577
last year. and the exports Of corn have
been S,435,5 52 bushels, against 4,195,2S2
last year. The increase in corn more
than makes up in foreign consumption
for the increase in wheat. Cotton rose
3-1S cent. though without material
change in the movement. Better re-
ports of manufacturing in England and
the starting Of some mills here give
hope Of better demand. The failures
for the week have been 296 in the Unit
ed States. against 27S last year. and
fifty in Canada, against fifty Eight last