The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-20
BRADSTREET AND DUN
Bradstreet Sums Up the Situa-
tion Gloomily.
DUN SEES MORE LIGHT
SOME GAIN EVERY WEEK, AND
MORE HANDS AT WORK.
DISAPPOINTMENT AT COTTON
The Demand Is Not Equal to Expecta-
tions While Many Are Disappoint-
ed Yet the Failures for Week
Are Some Fewer.

New York, March 19.-R. G.. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow
will say:
Though steadily increasing, business is
much below its volume in former years
of prosperity, and many express disap-
pointment, yet there is some gain every
week, with more hands at work and more
mills in operation, and the sure result,
large purchases for consumption, can
not be long delayed. In some branches
it is felt already. There is large dis
tribution of finished products. and the
demand for commercial loans has sharp
ly increased, especially in dry goods and
the iron and steel branches.
While manufacturers Of cotton goods
are looking forward with much conf
dence. the present demand is not equal to
expectations, nor has there been the de-
sired change in condition. The
buying of wool. mainly of a
speculative character in expecta-
ton OF new duties, continues re-
markably large. Sales at the three chief
markets for the past week Were 10,S91,-
900 pounds, and for three weeks have
been %, 800 pounds, of which &c.,
Cos, 200 were domestic, whereas the lar
gest transactions in any previous year
at this season were 17,1O5,S76 pounds
in the corresponding weeks of 1892, of
which II 1886. .626 we're domestic. Ne
great increase has appeared in the de-
nlands for goods, although a few more
mills have found enough orders 10 start
perhaps in anticipa ting a future demand.
The expectation of new duties does not
yet influence the goods markets as might
be expected.
Failures for the week have been 216
in the United StaeS, against 261 last year,
and 30 in Canada, against 40 last year.
BRADSTREETvS REVIEW.
New York. March 10.-Bradstrcet's to-
morrow will say:
Another week of irregular trade brings
an element of disturbance in the outlook
for n fight over the tariff bill, and the
disappointment among manufacturers of
woolen koods, silks, cutlery and other
lines of various tariff schedules. Spring
trade in jObbing lines is over. Collections
are slow, and at many points there is
no change in demand or supply, except a
request for cheaper grades of goods.
Threatening overfOws in the central and
Mississippi valleys have restricted the
country order trade, and rain and high
water have exercised a similar influence
in the Ohio valley and in the South At
lantic and Gulf States The movement
of general merchandise is also checked
at the Northwest by unfavorable wea-
ther. The demand for cotton goods is
disappointing, and manufacturers have
moved some lines only at concessions in
prices.
At most of the larger centres the feeling
of encouragement is strong among mer-
chants at the prospect for continued inn
proyement in trade, yet the increase in
volume of business in dry goods, groce-
ries, hats aud clothing. compared with
preceding weeks, and with like weeks in
previous years, does not equal anticipa-
tions. An additional favorable feature
is found in the tendency of prices there,
for wheat, corn, oats, pork. lard and SUI
gar in addition to wool being upward
while quotations for print cloths, cotton,
petroleum and lumber are firm and un-
changed. Exports of wheat flour includ
ed as wheat) from both coasts this week
indicate continuation or the recent
check to the export movement amount
ing to 1924 bushels as compared
with 1 1,599OO0 bushels last year. 1,592,-
600 in the third week Of March, 1896,
2,99S,0 bushels in the like week of
1895, 2,343, 900 bushels in 1894. and as
contrasted with 2.766,OOO bushels in the
corresponding period in 1893.