The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-03-24
BUSINESS STILL SLOW.
Dun Says the Times are Improving Steadily
but Not Fast

Though steadily Increasing, business Is
still much below it's volume In former years
Of prosperity and many express disappoint-
ment Yet there ia some gain every week,
with more hands at work and more mills ia
operation. and the sure result. large pur-
chases for consumption, cannot be long de-
layed. In some branches It is felt already;
there Is larger distribution OF finished pro-
ducts and the demand for commercial loans
has sharply increased, and especially In dry
goods and the iron and steel branches.
The progress Of the iron and steel Industry
Is hindered by uncertainty regarding the
cost OF lake ore for the coming year, though
the repeated adjournment Of producers
meetings is interpreted as evidence that an
agreement will be ultimately reached. 1t is
reported that Norrie ore at 215 will be
taken as the basis, which would imply about
s2.35 for Mesabic ores. but until the question
has been settled many important transac-
tiUns are deferred.
While there Is no greRt activity in finished
products, the demand steadily increased.
Contracts for several great buildings in Chi
cago are pending and for good many
bridges and other railroad WORK, and the
demand for wire nails and for wire does not
abate, nor the demand for black sheets re-
quired In tin plate manufacture.
Tin tends lower at Is. 80 cents, with heavy
receipts and with weaker London quotations.
Lead Is inactive mt 321 cents. and copper IL
weaker, although the trifiing decrease in pro-
duction In this country Is practically pal
anced by the small increase In production
elsewhere.
While manufacturers OF cotton goods are
looking forward with much confidence. the
present demand Is not equal to expectations,
nor has the curtailment In production OF
print cloths accomplished the desired change
in condition. The buying OF wool, mainly
OF speculative character In expectation OF
yuLI Ias
Sales at the three chief markets for the past
week were 10. 800 and for three weeks
have been 2s, 795, 500 pounds. OF which 49,
62s, 200 were domestic. whereas the largest
transactions In any previous years at this
season were IL. .105.S76 pounds In the corre-
spending weeks OF 1892. of which IL 1886, 626
were domestic. No great increase has yet
appeared In the demand for goods, although
few more mile have found enough orders
to start. perhaps In part anticipating future
demanp. The expectation OF new duties
does not yet influence the goods markets as
might be expected.
The demand for wheat has not given much
help to speculation. Atlantic exports have
been only l.2Gs, 800 bushels against 1, 1896, 1876
bushels, -four included. for the correspond
ing week last year. while the western receipts
have been only l,397, ,346 bushels, against
2,4l6,0s9 bushels last year. Accounts re-
garding the coming crop have been less IA
vorable this week and the price has advanc-
ed 1Ss. The exports OF corn continue heavy,
4.543. 100 bushels for the week and quotations
advanced &c.
The cotton market has also been almost
lfeless, and while the price has gained u
small fraction. the narrovness OF demand
here and abroad has its natural influence.
Reports about the coming crops are interest
Ing. as usual. to spectators.
Failures Tor the week have been PIG In the
United states, against 2G1 last year. and 50
in Canada, against 40 last year.