Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-01-28

New York, Jan. Pr. G. Dun &
Co.'s weekly trade report says there is
more business though not at better
prices. 1t is interesting to note that
almost all prices which have changed
at all are lower than week ago, and
yet business is unquestionably larger.
There is larger production, but as yet
not as much of an increase in consump-
ton, and there is larger buying of
materials, but at present only because
better prices are expected in the future.
The few conspicuous failures during
! the week hal no material influence.
| The market for securities was slightly
stronger and yet there is very little
doing. The number of hands employ
ed in all industries considered is slight
ly larger than week ago, without any
adverse change in the rate of wages.
All apprehension of foreign disturb
ances of money markets has passed
away but there is still great caution
| i'll making loans. 1t is a mistake to
reckon these as symptoms of depres-
sion. On the contrary in spite of the
lower range of prices in important in
| dustries conditions all indicate larger
/ production and consumption is increas-
ing not as yet largely but steadily.
Wheat, corn and cotton exports are the
key to the financial situation and dur
ing the past week wheat declined *
and corn Is while cotton remained ul-
changed. Western receipts of wheat
are still small, being 5S1 900 bushels
less than year ago and for three
weeks in January 100000 bushels
against 1861, 900 last year. There has
been a general reduction IN prices of
cotton goods which at present stimu-
lates larger buying. The wooden in
dustry is slow and no real Improvement
appears in the demand for goods. In
anticipation of the expected duties be-
ing heavy the buying Of wool contin-
ues In minor metals copper is slight
ly stronger at IL cents. Lead has i'm
proved q little with 3.0712 cents asked
and tin is steady at 10 40 cells. The
iron industry is engaged in settling
relative prices. Slow operation re-
tards business in many branches, since
future prices are uncertain. Bessemer
pig is a triile lower at $40. 40 at Pitts
burg and grey forge So. 40. The com
petition of new concerns, tempted to
manufacture nails by the high prices
recently maintained, has caused slight
ly lower sales of wire nails at 81 35
and cut nails at SIPS. The bar as
ISOLATION has been in session to consider
a reduction in steel bars. Billets are
selling at SIS 25 at Pittsburg. The
increase in manufacturing is perhaps
more definitely shown than in any
other way by the production of coke
which steadily increases. The weeks
output of 100 $50 tons is over double
the output OF October 1. Failures in
the United States for the week were
400 against 1913 last year. The aggre
gate gross earnings of all railroads in
the United States reporting for the first
half Of January were $9,737,724, de-
crease of "A per cent. as compared
with last year.
Bradstreets weekly trade report
says that the most encouraging feature
of the trade situation is the Increased |
demand from manufacturers of wool.
The decision of the print cloth manu-
facturers to curtail their output viii
emphasize the recent sales Of the
heavy surplus of stock and Promises
a better market. To these may be
added an increase in the volume OF
domestic bank clearings, a general
steadlness of prices and healthfulness
of the general trade in almost all
departments. Conservatism N
granting credits and the preference by
retailers and others to buy oftener but |
in small quantities continue to mark |
business as not before for years. The |
demand is increasing in almost all
lines with few exceptions, although |
very slowly. A radical improvement |
in the near future is based on the
slow but healthful increase in the |
consumptive demand. Prices appear TO
include few il any that are higher than |
a week ago, while -four, wheat, corn
lard, crude petroleum, bessamer, ana !
pig iron and steel billets are lower,
Wool remains firm at practically UNI |
changed prices, but is likely to ad- !
vance If the present demand contin-
ues. Leather also is firm and I'M |
| changed, as are lumber cotton, print
cloths. pork, coffee and sugar. EX- |
ports of wheat Giour included) from
botn coasts of the United States for
the week were 2,917,000 bushels com
pared with 3,S49.O0o bushels for the
same week a gear ago. The total
bank clearings of the principal cities
of the United States were 81 .Ol2 ,4121S0, |
an increase of SO per cent. as com
pared with the corresponding week OF
last year,