The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-06
CHEERING.
Dun e. Co. See a Decided I'm
prOVement In Business.
More Factories Are Starting
Than Are Stopping.
IRON HAS DVANCED.
%, 200 Tons of Steel and Iron
Sold In England.
No Gold Exports Are Probable
For Some Time.

New York, Feb. 6.-R. G. Dun & CO.
say:
No important change in business ap-
pears, but the number of manufactur-
ing establishments starting much ex-
ceeds the number of those stopping
during the week, and much that
the curtailment of working time in
many of the cotton mills probably does
not lessen the aggregate productive
force or amount of wages paid. There
is a distinct increase in orders for wool
en- goods and indications of better
things coming in the iron and steel
manufacture.
All symptoms are favorable in the
money market and large sale of Sc
cur1tieS in connection with the North
ern Pacific and Oregon navigation in
tereSts to European purchasers will put
off still further possibility of gold ex-
pOrtS II is also cheering evidence of
confidence among European investors.
To many it is the most perplexing fea-
ture of current events that wheat does
not rise much. Atlantic exports have
been only 1886, O64 bushels (four includ-
ed) against 1865, 456 for the same week
last year, while western receipts have
been only 1851 against $500 407 last
year.
The condition of the market is not
explained by any special confirmation
but current prices show that no great
confidence is felt in the estimates of
supplies available for the rest of the
year.
Cotton fell to 71k after the agreement
to close Fall River and other print
cloth works became known. but recov-
cred the quotation of a week ago, 7.38,
with further news. Spinners' takings
nave been so small this year-thOse of
northern mills about 100000 less than
in 1S94-5-that the admitted narrowness
of demand for goods has at present con
siderable weight.
Sales of wool have been smaller than
hCT
excess of the consumption of all mills
for a week if all were fully employed.
There has been only a Slight differing
in prices, but more foreign wool will be
taken and stored, it is believed, if west
ern holders continue to demand higher
prices.
More important than these indica-
lions is a little better demand for heavy
weight goods, which has led some of
the smaller mills to buy wool more free
ly and thus enable a number to start
operations.
Prices of BeSSemer pig and Grew
Forge at Pittsburg have slightly ad-
vanced with a much more hopeful feel
ing, and there is more business in wire
nails and tin plate, with better pros
poets. Reports that Is, 900 tons of steel
plate and sheet bars have been export
ed to England are only indications of
the temporary excess of supply over de-
mand in this country and are not sup
posed to have realized any profits. Yet
it is stated that prices of cast pipe are
from 81 to IS per ton lower at New York
than at Scotch works. Bars are quoted
at the lowest price ever known in Phil
adelphia without much Improvement in
the demand, and steel rails are still
inactive and unchanged in price, the
railroads waiting for a decline cores
ponding to the fall in billets. But on the
whole, the demand for iron and steel
products is slowly gaining and a con-
siderable proportion of the works is
fully employed. though the gain is not
yet enough for those who have taken
large stocks of material or products
Failures for the week have been 81
year, and GO in Canada against 81 last
year.
BRADSTREETS
New York. Feb. 6.-Bradstreets saws:
Trade has been retarded by unfavorable
weather a week ago but has recovered
some in the south When the cold wealth
er cut into the stocks of heavy goods it
delayed the sale of spring goods, Other
relatively favorable trade reports are
from St Paul, Chicago. Minneapolis and
St Louis. At most centerS jobberS re-
ported business quiet and UNCHANGED with
prospect.of Improvement.
Inc restriction of the production of cot
ton goods has not strengthened the mar
ket or advanced prices ahead. The heavy
increases on sales of wool 40. 600 600 pounds
at BoSton-Since January, is based largely
on the expectation of high duty. One of
the most satisfactory industrial fea-
lures Is the lack of demand for iron and
steel, prices which in the central western
states nave got below nominal quotations.
both coasts of the United States and from
st John, N B.. this week amount to s.
95t4O6 compared with 2.515.OOO bushels in
tne week year ago; 2,020. 600 bushels in
the week two years ago; 2,67S,0o0 bushels