The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-20
TARIFF TALK RETARDS TRADE.
THE FLOODS IN THE MISSISSIPPI
ALSO SHUT OFF ORDERS.

Un1nVOFable w eatner huEts the
Movement in the NOrthwesf-The
Demand For Cotton Goods DisaD-
neutrality-suspicious. in the Iron
and Steel Industries in the Near
Future ImprobabIe-Merch at
Most of the Large Centers Looking
to the Future Hopefully.
New York, March 19.-Bradstr cet's, to-
morrow will say: Another week of ir-
regular trade brings an element of disturb
ance in the outlook for a fight over the
new tariff bill, and the disappointment
among manufacturers Of wooden goods.
silks, cutlery and other lines at various
tariff schedules. Spring trade in jobbing
lines is over, collections are slow, and at
many points there is no change in de-
mand or supply, except a request for
cheaper grades of goods. The threatened
overhows in the central and southern Mis-
sissppi valley have restricted the coun-
try order trade. and rain and high water
have exercised a similar influence in the
Ohio valley and in the South Atlantic
and Gulf states. The movement of gem
eral merchandise is also checked at the
northwest by unfavorable weather.
''The demand for cotton goods is dis
appointing, and manufacturers have NOV
ed some lines only at concessions in
prices
THE iron and steel industries appear
less likely to expand in the near future.
Practically lower prices for Bessemer pig
and for billets seem to have been the re-
suit of speculative over-purchasing at the
late revival in expectation of an advance,
which has not shown itself. Delay in
fixing lake ore prices has also had an in
fluence. There is less demand for Ameri-
can iron and steel for export particularly
for the western product.
AT most of the large centers, the feel
ing of encouragement is stronger among
merchants at the prospect for continued
improvement in trade, yet the
increase in the volume of
business in dry goods, groceries,
hats and clothing, compared with preced-
ing weeks and with like weeks in previous
years, does not equai anticipations. There
is an improvement in the demand for wool,
for which prices are higher Eastern wool
manufacturers report more inquiry for
goods though the condition of this indus
try still leaves much to be desired.
The total number of business failures
for the week is 81, compared with 227 last
week"
r. G. Dun & Co., will say tomorrow in
their weekly review of trade: Though
steadily increasing, business is still much
below its volume in former years of pros
perity, and many express disappointment
Yet there is some gain every week, with
more hands at work, and more mills in OPP
GRAFTON, and the sure result larger pur-
chases for consumption, cannot be long
delayed. In some branches, it is felt al
ready. There is larger distribution of fin
ished products, and the demand for COM
mercial loans has sharply increased, es-
pecially IN dry goods and the iron and
steel branches.
THE progress of the iron and steel in
dustry is hindered by uncertainty regard
ing the cost of lake ore for the coming
year, though the repeated adjournment of
producers meetings is interpreted as evil
dence that agreement will be ultimately
reached. 1t is reported that Norrie ore
at 1915 will be taken as the basis, which
would imply about 2.35 for Mesaba ore,
but until the question has been settled
many important transactions are defer
red. While there is no great activity in
finished products, the demand steadily in
creases. Contracts for several buildings
at Chicago are pending and for a good
many bridges and other railroad works,
and the demand for wire nails and for
wire does not abate, nor the demand for
black SneetS required IN the TN plate
manufacture.
although shipments of boots and shoes
are almost as large as in many previous
years, it is announced that one or two
of the largest works have closed for want
of orders At the same time many other
concerns are taking very large orders it
is claimed. at prices below those generally
quoted. No change whatever appears in
the quotations of 3eather this week, and
the Chicago market for hides fiuctuates
without definite tendency, although the
slight changes reported are downward
"While manufacturers of cotton goods
are looking forward with much confidence
the present demand is not equal TO expec-
tations, nor has the curtailment in the
production of print cloths accomplished
the desired change in condition. The buy
acter in expectation of new duties. con-
tinues remarkably large. Sales at the
three chief markets for the past week
were 10, S9l, 800 pounds.
mo great increase has yet appeared in
the demand for goods, although a few
more mills have found enough orders to
start perhaps, in part, anticipating flu
ture demand. The expectation of new
duties does not yet influence the goods
market as might be expected.
1.-The volume of business indicated by
clearing house exchanges is smaller than
last year. The average of daily ex-
changes for the month is S.3 per cent. less
than last year.
Failures for the week have been PIG in
tho United States against 26l last year.
and 80 in Canada, against 40 last year"
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