New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-03
MONEY AND BUSINESS.

liberal premium. Austrian RUSSIAN anu 1hPa"-
csc wants are at the bottom, but on the surface
is the disturbed political state OF Europe wn'cn
impels London not to allow Its reserve 10 oe
weakened. At the same time. II is also pam
that London has much more confidence and an
easier time in borrowing because OF the increase
Of merchandise imports by this country. for
which, with similar imports probable within the
next two months, New-York will have to provide
payment. How large the unsettled commercial
balance against Europe may be. on commercial
transactions Of the last nine months. cannot be
definitely stated. but whether larger or smaller
that balance does not prevent demands for cur
rent settlements by those who are importing
WOOL sugar hides and drygoods.
In four weeks ending April 80. imports at New
York have been in value S53 SOL $780, against $780,
3O1. 537 last year. and S4O,404. 80 in 1895 I'm
ports OF drygoods were S146G000S. against ST.
366. TO last year, and So sos. 401 In 1879: I'M
norris OF sugar were about S6S60,0OO. Of coffee
about S5S1OOOO. Of wool about S4lOoVo ana
hides about $2OOO000 This is the season FOR
large imports Of sugar, but they are naturally
being fastened when millions may be saved IN
duty by Fastening. The fear OF the duty on hides
and wool has the same influence. MOST OF the
drygoods imports probably come on consignment
but part will be paid for speedily. The domestic
exports from this port for four weeks nave peen
) per cent smaller than last year, the cotton ex-
ports from all ports have been nearly as large
as last year in quantity but at lower price, and
the exports Of wheat from all ports have been
little smaller than last year, but at higher price
In the exports Of corn there has been an increase
Of SO. 900 600 II may lie inferred from these data
that the merchandise balance is no longer on the
side Of this country, and that the reported value
Of imports in April may considerably exceed ex-
norris There must yet be added large allow
ance for naturalization Of dutiable imports.
Wheat has fuctuated rather absurdly with
varying prospects Of intervention and peace In
Europe but closed 4.37 cents lower than week
ago. | 5 higher than two weeks ago. and 90 high
er than three weeks ago. Atlantic exports are
fairly maintained, -four included. In four weeks
4 90, 34S bushels against 4o9121o last year.
with Pacific exports slightly Increased, and
Western receipts also keep up fairly But the
exports of 1880 1877 bushels of corn In four
weeks against 4,406,619 last year. show why
wheat is not in greater foreign demand Inc
price Of corn has ranged little below 30 cents
for most OF the time for months, with wheat any
where from 10 to % cents more than double that
price Cotton also advanced last week. apparent
" because some foreign spectators have con-
Stocks Of American in sight, here and abroad
decreased In April only $1,000 bales more than
two years ago, when receipts from plantations
were 1913 sol bales. against 215.724 in April this
year Takings OF Northern spinners were about
II 900 bales less in that year, and for the crop
wear thus far 10000 bales less. European
spinners held April !. according to Ellison.
SOS.O 900 bales Of 800 pounds having Increased
every month since October, and their holdings
were nearly as large as last year or the year
before when they further increased In April.
With over 3, 600 bales in sight, besides Amerl-
can mill stocks, four remaining months or the
crop year can hardly produce famine.
The volume Of business transactions cannot be
Judged from reports Of clearings at New-fork'
because OF the stagnation in stock speculation.
Comparing with the last year OF full business
New-York shows a decrease from lS32 OF -
per cent in April. while other leading cities taken
altogether decrease only SO per cent. and while
New-York reports loss Of IS per cent compared
with las, year. the other cities show gain or 80
ner cent. The railroad earnings thus far report
ed for April are but 60 per cent less than IN lo2
and 16 per cent less than last year. Southern
roads showing a gain over both years Prices or
stocks yielded little account OF gold exports.
and vet railroads closed only Al cents per SlVo
The alleged market reported sales Of 5O4.S1O
shares for the week, including any that may
have been reported for bucket-shop convenience,
and about third were OF four trust stocks. Al
per cent Of eight railroad stocks. and the balance
OF all others.
Tho iron industry. the one in which combina-
,ions have been most numerous and potent Is the
one which just now lags the most Bessemer pig
is ouoted at 50 80 at Pittsburg, with one small
sale az 50 % and Grey Forge at 50 30; at the
lowest point ever touched until last month. which
was early in 1895. Bessemer sold at ~ 10 and
Crev FORGE at 50 at Pittsburg Bar. plates and
onoles are also a shade lower than at that time,
and steel rails about SO per ton lower. while
beans are 81 cents per 100 pounds higher, wire
nails d. and cut nails 40 cents per key hlgher.
Small sales Of good Bessemer ore nave peen
made at 50 As at Cleveland, and there are re-
norris Of heavy transactions between the Illinois
steel and the Minnesota Iron companies. The
leather company still holds open quotations at
the East but the Chicago market IL lower. and
hides are about per cent lower there. The BUY
ing of boots and shoes has considerably Increased
since some concessions were made in prices, ana
MANY concerns now have work ahead for some
months but April shipments fall little peiow
those of 1896 or 1893, and per cent below those
of 1895 A larger demand for textile goods Is re-
Elected in slight advances in the prices OF some
and the mills appear to be better employed than
they have been for months past. though not by
any means to their full capacity. But the sales
of wool continue speculative account. and
have been larger during the last four months
than in any previous year. 1SO3O26j0 pounds
| against 60 29S 80 in the same months last year
and 92 967 915 in 1895 and SS $50 $50 In 1892 At
Western markets a great quantity is held at
nrices bout cents above those OF Eastern mar
| kets.
Yesterday was what is called a dry Sunday"
| Perhaps that's the reason why II raned all
day