The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-20
r. G. Dun & Co. See a Steady
Improvement in Business
Though it Is Not Coming Up
to Expectations.
MORE MILLS RUNNING.
Uncertainties Regarding Tariff
Legislation
Are Acting as a Drawback to a
Certain Extent.

New York, March 20.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade today
says:
Though steadily increasing, business
is still much below it's volume in for
mer years of prosperity, and many ex-
press disappointment, yet there is some
gain every week, with more hands at
work and more mills in operation, and
the sure result large purchases for con-
sumption, cannot long be delayed. In
some branches it is felt already. There
is larger distribution of finished pro-
ducts and the demand for commercial
loans has sharply increased, especially
in dry goods and the iron and steel
branches. The progress of the iron and
steel industry is hindered by the uncer-
tainty regarding the cost of lake ore
for the coming year.
It is reported that Norrie ore at 81. IS
will be taken as the basis, which would
imply about 2.35 for Mesaba ores, but
until the question is settled many i'm
portant transactions have been de-
ferred. While there is no great activ-
ity in finished products, the demand
steadily increases. Contracts for sew
era1 great buildings at Chicago are
pending, and for a good many bridges
and other railroad works, and the de
mand for wire nails and for wire does
not abate, nor the demand for black
turs. Tin tends lower, with heavy re-
ceipts and with weaker London quo
tations. Lead is inactive at 1897 and
copper is weaker, although the trif1ing
decrease in production in this country
is practically balanced by the small in
crease in production elsewhere.
While manufacturers of cotton goods
are looking forward with much conf
dence, the present demand is not equal
to expectations, nor has the curtail-
ment in production of print cloths ac-
complished the desired change in con-
ditfon- The buying of wool, mainly of
a speculative character, in expectation
of new duties, continues remarkably
large. Sales at the three chief mar
kets for the past week were 1O, S91, 900
pounds, and for three weeks have been
2S, 795, 500 pounds, of which 16, 628, 200
were domestic, whereas the largest
transactions in any previous year at
this season were II, los, 876 pounds in
the corresponding weeks of 1892, of
which II, $50, 626 were domestic.
No great increase has yet appeared
in the demand for goods, although
few more mills have found enough or
ders to start, perhaps in part anticipat-
ing a. future demand. The expectation
of new duties does not yet influence
the goods market, as might be expect
ed. The demand for wheat has not
given much help to speculation. At
lantic exports have been only 1888. 800
bushels, against 1.199,335, flour includ-
ed for the corresponding week last
only 1897, 346 bushels, against 2,416.089
bushels last year. Accounts regarding
the coming crop have been less favorable
this week, and the price has advanced
15s cents. The exports of corn con-
tinue heavy, 4,543, 705 bushels for the
week, and quotations advanced 1sc. The
cotton market has also been most life
less, and while the price has gained
small fraction the narrowneSs of de-
mand here and abroad has its natural
influence.
Failures for the week have been PIG
in the United States against POI last
year, and so in Canada against AZ last
BRADsTREET's
Bradstreet's says: Another week of
irregular trade brings an element of
disturbance in the outlook for fight
over the new tariff bill and the disap-
pointment of 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 demand or supply except
request for cheaper grades of goods.
Threatened over flows 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
south Atlantic and Gulf states. The
movement of general merchandise is
also checked at the northwest by unta-
VorabIe weather. The demand for cot
facturers have moved some lines only
at concessions in price. Iron and steel
industries appear less likely TIC expand
in the near future. Practically lower
prices for Bessemer pig and for billets
seem to have been the result of specu-
1ative over purchasing at the late re-
ViVal in expectation of an advance
which has not shown itself.
At most of the larger centers the feel
ing of encouragement is stronger among
merchants at the prospect for contin-
1led Improvement in trade, yet the in
crease of volume of business in dry
goods. groceries, hats and clothing, COM
pared with preceding weeks and with
the like week in previous years, does
not equal anticipations-
There is an Improvement in demand
for WOOL for which prices are higher
Eastern wool manufacturers show more
inquiry, though the condition of this
industry still leaves much to be de-
sired. The newly developed Pacific
coast export trade is marked by ship
1nents of doors and finishing lumber
from Tacoma to South Africa
An additional favorable feature is
found in the tendency of prices there
for wheat, corn, oats, pork, lard and
sugar in addition to wool being up
ward, while quotations for print cloths,
cotton, petroleum and lumber are firm
and unchanged.
Rheumatism Quickly Cured.