The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-16
GOOD TIMES ARE HERE.
Hopeful View OF the Financial and Busi
ness Situation Indicated by Dun's
Review of Trade.

New York, Jan. 15.-R. G. Dun & Co.
will say tomorrow in their weekly re-
view of trade:
The greatest growth and prosperity
the country had ever seen came sud
denly in 1879 after several months of
disappointment because specie resump-
tion had not yet brought the benefits
expected. 1t takes time for new conf-
dence to reach through easy money
markets, larger order reSuming mills,
expanding employment, and larger dis
tribution, to the results which make
still greater and lasting gain possible.
Such gradual and steady Improvement
has been in progress for more than two
months. The output of pig iron has
gained 4l.6 per cent. since october l.
The output of coke has increased S3I
per cent. since october /. Sales of WOOL
have again become large. Money mar
kets feel steady increase in demand
for commercial and manufacturing
loans. Additional works have gone
into operation each week in January.
and the working force is larger than at
any other time for six months. Inc
gain may be ascribed to the deliberate
Judgment of the ablest and most pru-
dent men in business. 1t is not time
of high prices. Many who are anX-
ious to get early hold on the market
| are making for the moment lower
| prices, than they could afford TO main
| tain The price of pig iron is shade
| lower at the east and Chlcago, put
heavy purchases already advance bes-
| semer shade at Pittsburg. Steel bars
have been reduced to one cent ana some
other finished products one dollar per
| ton, but the demand is on the Whole
steadily growing. The coke output mas
| risen from $4,000 to $4,000 tons weekly,
| and minor metals are shade stronger
Textile manufactures are not encour-
aged by the demand for goods, though
more print clothes were sold than Tor
many weeks. Lower prices are eX-
| pected in goods, and slow buying Is not
unnatural, since cotton has fallen lI.S
per cent from Sept Il; print cloths
per cent; bleached goods, 31a to 5ls,
and brown goods 21a, and per cent.
| Though Woolen goods do not improve,
| there have been purchases by large
| mills which cover for two weeks of
January 100000 pounds at the three
| chief markets, against 1l,SlI,5OO last
| year. Some large purchases OF leather
| indicate that some shoe manufacturers
| are seeing their way to more active
work, and shipments from the east in
January thus far are 20 per cent. larger
than last year. Clearing house eX-
changes for the month thus far are
less than l per cent. below last years
though 25.2 per cent. smaller than the
year 1892. the year of greatest prosper.
ity, Railroad earnings and tonnage FOL
January thus far are light owing tC
western storms. Traders begin to real.
iZe that enormous exports of corn are
taking the place of wheat in foreign
consumption. The wheat market ha.
varied but slightly, closing quarter of {
cent lower.
More was done in commercial paper
though offerings increased but moder
ately. Exports continue to exceed las
years for the week s per cent. Will,
imports fell 10 per cent below las
years.
Failures for the week have been 45
in the United States against 395 las
year, and II in Canada against 81 las
year.