The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-16
BRADSTREET'S REVIEW
No Noticeable Changes Reported In
Business Conditions.
Mercantile Collections Still
Continue Slow.



Except at a few southern cities, as re-
throughout the country report no no
ticeable change in trade features, and
few, II any. indications of improvement
in the near future. Mercantile collec-
tions continue slow or moderate. Some
jobbers at Chicago. st. Louis Baltimore
and other large cities report increased
demand for dry goods, hats. shoes. hard
ware and groceries for spring delivery,
but that In other lines business is very
duh. Dealers in staples at cities In
Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee
and South Carolina report better de-
mand for hardware and agricultural
supplies, compared with last week.
Some Baltimore statesmen are securing
relatively fair orders. There has been
no revival in textile circles, except in
creased purchases of wool at Boston by
some OF the larger manufacturers. Cot
ton goods continue depressed at first
hands, with little prospect for improve
ment until after production has been re-
stricted.
December gross railway earnings are
relatively more favorable than those in
preceding months, showing a decrease
VI iso pci Stut lIOIi LCSCiioti, 1000, "hiiC
the November total in 1896 fell off 10 per
cent from that in November, 1895, that
for October, 4.3 per cent, and September
earnings 7-10ths Of per cent. The best
December reports were by southwestern
and southern roads, which show gains
over December totals In 1895. For the
calendar year total earnings of lis rail-
roads aggregated $50S. 2s6, $50, gain over
1895 of Ia per cent, which year it will be
recalled, showed a gain over 1894 Of So
per cent. This gain in 1896 was on a
mileage of 94,170 miles. If IL months
earnings of 27 other roads with $4,000
miles of track be included for both
years an aggregate total of $797, ,716,7S5
on 137, 208 miles of track is obtained, rep
resenting nearly 80 per cent of the en-
tire railway mileage and gross earnings
of steam railroads in the United States
engaged in freight transportation.
These earnings figures represent a gain
over 1895 Of slightly less than per cent
on gain in mileage of about the same
proportion, showing that the year 1896,
though far from satisfactory in this re-
spect, witnessed at least no falling off
from the railway earnings totals of 1895
and 1894.
Bradstreets' comparison of prices OF
los staple articles and products at quar-
terly intervals for series of years shows
an upward tendency on the part of quo
tations during the last quarter of 1896.
This is shown by there being 40 prices
higher on Jan. 1, 1897, than on Oct. i,
DC. AZ of which were lower and 2Spracti-
ca,ly the same on both dates-in con-
trast with 23 higher quotations Jan. l,
1897, compared with one year ago; ~
lower quotations than on Jan. 1, 1896, and
only three practically the same at the
beginning and end of 1896. Advances
during the last quarter of 1896 were con-
spicuous among most of the leading
cereals, for live stock, meats, dairy prod
ucts. some. vegetables, hides, leather:
woods, various grades of iron, copper.
lead, brick, glass and spruce lumber:
declines were noticeable for miscellane-
Gus food products for cotton, hemp,
print cloths, steel, tin, coal, coke, petrol
cum. rubber, paper and drugs.
Trices for this week show advances for
leather, pork, lard, petroleum and cot
ton, while decreases are reported in
prices of hides, wheat, corn, coffee, pig
iron ard steel billets. No change is re-
ported in quotations for coal, lumber,
flour, oats, sugar, print cloths and wool.
Heavy stocks continue to depress cot
ton goods. Iron and steel have not met
with the increased demand expected.
while sugar and coffee prices have been
affected by competition among leading
dealers.
Bank clearings throughout the United
States amount to 81, ,04S, 900, 900 this week,
per cent less than last week, which
was one day short, an unexpected
shrip X m volume 0f clan Whov,
comparison is made with the total in the
second week of January, 1896, the de-
crease during this week is seen to be
nearly 2 per cent. Contrasted with the
corresponding weeks total in 1895, this
weeks clearings show a gain Of per
cent, and with the like total in 1894 an
increase of 13 per cent. But when cum-
pared with clearings for the second
week Of January, 1893. the total for six
business days, ending with and includ-
ing Jan. IA, this year, shows a falling OF
of % per cent
There have been 478 business failures
in the United States this week, compared
with 48S last week, ALP the second week
of January, 1896, 1853 In the like week Of
1895, and as compared with i04 In the cor
responding period Of 1894.
Exports of wheat (fiour included as
wheaD from both coasts Of the United
States this week amount to 2,S4S,154
bushels, as compared with S,1Os, 900
bushels last week, 100000 bushels in
the week one year ago, 8,564.00 bushels
in the week two years ago. 3.332, 900
bushels three years ago, ard as con-
trasted with 3,637. 900 bushels in the like
week of 1893. Exports of indian corn
this week amount 70 3,757, 600 bushels, as
compared with 4,S19.000 bushels last
week, 3,336, 900 bushels in the week year
ago, 66l, 900 bushels in the week two years
ago. 2052,000 bushels three years ago.
and as contrasted with 655,000 bushels
In the like week Of 1898.
Bridegroom Chsrgsh with Murder.
Philadelphia, Jan. fitzpatrick Dona-
hue, who was married Thursday after