River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-01-28
OUTLOOK BETTER.
Dun and Bradstreet Talk Encouragingiy
of Trade Prospects.

of Trade Prospects.
New York. Jan. 23.-R. q. Dun & Co..
in their weekly review of trade, say:
There is more business, though not at
better prices. II is interesting that almost
all prices which change at ell are lower
than week ago and yet business IS I'M
questionabiy larger. There is larger pro-
auction. but as yet not as much increase
In consumption. and there IL larger buying
or materials, but at present only because
better prices are expected In the future
"A rev conspicuous failures during the week
have had no material influence The mar
ket for securities is slightly stronger and
yet there Is very little doing The number
OF hands employed, all industries consid-
cred. Is slightly larger than a week ego
without adverse change In the rate OF
wages. All apprehension OF foreign dis
turbance of money markets has passed
away. but there is still great caution in
making loans. 1t is a mistake to reckon
these as symptoms of depression. On the
contrary. In spite of the lower range of
prices In important Industr;ss. the condl-
lions all Indicate larger production and a
consumption increasing, not as yet large.
but steadily.
THE earnings OF railroads in January
have been "A per cent. smaller than last
year. Wheat, corn and cotton exports are
the key OF the financial situation. and dur
ing the past week wheat has declined
y cent and corn u cent while cotton is I'M
changed. The WOODEN ind Jstrry is as slow
as ever and no real Improvement appears
in the demand for goods, although owing
to the lateness of the season there is
little more doing. both In spring and In
winter goods. without quotable change In
prices. The iron Industry is engaged In
settling relative prices and the slow oper-
alton retards business In many branches
since the future of prices is uncertain
Bessemer pig Is a trifie lower at So 10 at
Pittsburgh and gray forge at 50 40 thoush
no further decline has occurred in eastern
markets, or at Chicago. But the competi-
tion OF new concerns tempted to manufac-
ture nails by the high prices recently
maintained, causes slightly lower sales OF
wire nails at sl35 and OF cut nails at 81 25.
The increase In manufacturing is perhaps
moro definitely shown than in any other
way by the production of coke. which
steadily Increases, s.Sl7 ovens being In
blast, against s.l73 idle. and the weeks
output l00SS6 tons. Is over double the out
put of October. Failures for tho week
have been i09 In the Jnlted States against
s73 last year. and IS In Canada. against 81
last year"
Bradstreet's says;
''rhe most encouraging feature OF the
trade situation this week is tho increased
demand from manufacturers for wool. The
decision of print cloth manufacturers to
curtail the output will emphasize recent
sales OF the heavy surplus stock. and prom
Uses better market To these may be
nestle bank clearings, general steadi-
Loss of prices. and the healthfulncss OF gen.
eral trade In almost all departments. Con-
servatism In granting credits. and the
preference by retailers and others TO buy
oftener, but In small quantities.. continue
to mark the course OF business not be-
fore for years Demand is increasing In al
most all lines. with few exceptions. al
though very slowly. radical improve
ment In the near future, based on a slow
IL ~,
demand. is in the absence CT unforeseen OBJ
stacles. almost a certainty.
prices appear to include few. II any.
that are higher than a week ago. While
-four wheat, corn. lard, crude petroleum.
tin. Bessemer pig iron and steel biilets arc
lower. wool remains firm at practically
unchanged prices, but is likely to advance
II the present demand continues. Leather
is also firm and unchanged. as are lumber.
cotton. print cloths. pork. coffee and
sugar"