The San Francisco call., 1897-05-17
STILL IMPROVING.

As far as statistics go trade is on salts.
factory footing. The bank clearances show
an increase over last year, money IS In
good supply and readily accessible to bor-
rowers with desirable security, failures are
not above the AVERAGE and collections are
fair. The importations of foreign goods
into the United States during the month
OF March were valued at $76, 355, 0OO,
ag gainst s66, 455, 600 during the same month
in 1896, and it is expected that the April
exhibit will run over $4,000, 900 in value.
While heavy imports do not necessarily
imply good times. they show an improved
purchasing power, which Is certainly not
an indication of dull times, hence the
above exhibit is in this sense satisfactory.
1t must not be forgotten, however, that
imports have been heavy for some
months, as importers have loaded up with
as many goods as they could conveniently
carry in anticipation of the promised tariff
bill, which a patient and long-suffering
community hopes will be passed as soon
| as possible.
AS far as the port of San Francisco is
concerned the balance of business is with
US. This is shown by increa ssd exports Of
tho great cereal staples, Dy larger bank
clesrings and by marked increase In
| custom house and internal revenue col
| lections. 1t is also shown by the steady
rise in wheat, and by an improved de-
| mand for what little dried fruit is left on
| hand. The only draw back of late has
| been the absence of the usual spring
| rains, which have been replaced by dam
aging hot north winds. Still, in spite of
who ho tot nj a
profitable surplus of everything. Calitor-
MA enjoys this advantage over its sister
| States, that owing to its diversified
climate the conditions that damage one
section benefit another; so that the most
unfavorable weather never causes general
| harm. This is one of the chief reasons
why pros perity, even in modified form.
always attends California in the face OF
conditions which would PROSTATE almost
any other State.
As the summer approaches the pros
poets for the farmer steadily improve. He
is going to receive better prices for his
| wheat this year. He is going to take in
| more money for his fruit, hay, wool, hops,
beef and mutton. This means that he is
going to be more liberal purchaser in
the city. This commercial logic is famil-
lar to business men, who see in it good
times ahead. Hence there is more dispo-
sition to loosen purse-strings and extend
financial commodation.
Another good sign is the increase in
money circulation throughout the United
States during the present year. The cir
culation per capita on May L 1897. was
$50 SO against $2l 65 year ago. a gain of
81 % per capita. In round numbers there
has been an increase in circulation of
$63 600, 0o0 in gold coin, S25. .000, 900 in silver
certificates, SIC, 0o0, 900 in greenbacks. $27,-
0oO 000 in currency certificates and $8, 000,-
O0O in bank notes. This showing ought to
satisfy the most chronic pessimist, for an
increase in money circulation is never
seen when times are hard.
But a good many people are hard to
suit. They are not content with slow
and steady, and therefore permanent, inn
provement in business. They want a
boom. They want to get rich in year.
They want 10 double their business on the
spot. If they cannot enjoy these rare and
extreme conditions they draw long faces
and cry hard times. These are ths per-
sons who now lament the dullness of
trade. If such grum blers will heed the
lessons contained in the above exhibits
they may be led to taEe the more cheerful
ana sensible view of the situation and ad-
NIT that it is improving day after day.
Of course, the improvement is slow, for
permanent changes are always gradual.
and the fact that the present improvement
Is of slow growth is the best guaranty of
its Dermanence