The herald., 1897-03-04
Dan & Co.'s Report on Conditions In Southern
California

RG Dun & Co.'S monthly review of trade
and prospects for Southern California
gays:
The tone of business is gradually but
steadily improving. There are unmistaka-
able signs of recuperation IN nearly all
lines Of business. The most marked up
ward impulse for the month has been In
the iron and steel industry; the breaking
Of the steel rail and other combinations in
the iron business bringing out vast guam
tity of trade.
Prices for cotton are normal, with little
increase in demand for goods. The belief
that there will be no change of wool tariff
during the present short session has check
ed speculation In this line
Wheat export has diminished but has
been more than made up by increase in corn
export.
In cur immediate section although there
are complaints from business men that the
months OF the new year have been disap-
pointing they have been months OF real
gain and the business outlook is al the pres
ent time brighter and smoother than for
some time past.
UP to date the rainfall has been ample.
without being excessive. 1t is estimated
that there Is one-third increase in the
grain acreage; the yield per acre promises
10 be large, and strong prices are anticipat-
Cd Pasture Is good and the bee men are
sharing with the grain growers great sat
isfaction over the prospects.
Green and deciduous fruits have realized
good prices and California wine has nearly
doubled In value. The orange grower up o
the present time has had no reason to COM
plain. The demand is now strong. Foreign
fruit in market is short and prices are good.
The season promises to be the most pros
porous that growers have experienced for
years. The lemon crop is large, and plans
have been formulated looking to the sue
cessful marketing of this crop. which prom
ises so much to our section. Through these
plans 1t is expected that the demand and
prices Will be more even than heretofore,
thus proving more profitable TO the grow
ers than the excessive fluctuations of pre-
vious years.
Dried fruit stocks are pretty well cleaned
up in the east. Many believe that the Eu-
ropean demand, caused the past two years
by short crops there has become a fixture
of the trade by virtue of good quality of
our fruit and comparatively low prices.
The prospects OF the trade In the South
African colonies is also said to be un-
usually good.
The mining revival continues and outside
capital is coming in all the time.
The petroleum output of Southern Cali
fornia is increasing steadily, and prices are
steadily on the upgrade.
Real estate men agree that property val
ues are stronger both In city and country
than since 1898. and the building industry
is once more on the gain.
The much mooted question of a harbor
for Los Angeles has now reached con-
clusion. and the location has been passed
work on this long-delayed project will not
much longer be delayed This, with other
enterprises now projected and others fol-
lowing. in their wake, must give us great
revival Of business all along the line.
Failures in February were % in number;
liabilities about $4,000; nominal assets
about $4,000. as against II In February,
1896, with liabilities 1000 and assets S22, 900.