Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-16
BETTER ALL AROUND.
r. G. Dun 4 Cos. Report Are Most encour-
aging for Many Months.

New York, Oct. 15.-R. G. Dun & Co.
in their weekly review of trade will
say Foreign trade in September the
heavy increase in iron production and
consumption and the largest payments
through clearing houses ever known in
October, are indications which out
weigh hesitation in some markets. The
increase in employment of labor has
continued, with further daily accounts
of works opening, increasing force of
hands, or raising wages, and at every
point where actual production can be
tested it appears greater than ever be-
fore.
The output of pig iron. Oct. l. was 200,
12S tons weekly against 1886, Sept. l.
and ll2,Sa2, IA year ago, and the increase
since July l. having been % per cent.
Prices of pig hold steady. though produce
ton has been further increased since Oct.
1. and prices of finished products gradu-
ally rise with especially heavy demand
for plates rods and bars, while another
contract has been taken by the Illinois
Steel Co. to deliver 10000 tons of steel
rails for Japan, and the Pennsylvania
Co. has bought $1,000 tons. Makers of
black sheets have raised the price for
No. Is to $40, and wire nails are cents
higher, the average of iron and steel
products rising 6 per cent. for the week
to the highest point since April s. Tin
plates are cheaper at $780, with enor-
nous production and copper at LIZ cents
for Lake, with lead at 410, but tin is
fairly strong.
The movement of boots and shoes from
Eastern factories surpasses all records
for October, exceeding that of 1892 by s
per cent New orders are still deferred
as far as possible, but the many demands
for speedy delivery show heavy distribu-
ton of stocks. Leather is weaker in
grades not controlled by the Leather Co.,
owing to restricted buying, and the de-
cline averages 212 per cent for the week,
while hides at Chicago are also weaker,
though only about per cent
The cotton mills are producing largely,
as cheap cotton invites, and with mOder-
ate demand. Print cloths are lower at
2 "A cents, and some grades of other goods
are slightly reduced. Sales of wool for
speculation have greatly decreased, but
manufacturers do not yet find that cur
rent prices are warranted by their market
for goods, though it is strong and adj
vancing. Sales of wool for two weeks
have been "a, 331 900 pounds at the three
chief markets, of which 1881, 800 were do
nestle. and while quotations are MAIN
tanned, large lots previously withdrawn
by consignors are now offered. 1he de-
mand for spring goods is limited, but the
prices of some qualities have advanced a
shade further. There is also some quiet
contracting ALREADY Tor neaVy weights.
Wheat has been fairly steady, but NOV
ing more largely than last year from the
farms and from the country. Western re-
ceipts were 15167.054 bushels in the two
weeks of October, against ABE, 016, last
year, and Atlantic exports. 6,463 4O1 BUSH
els, flour included, against 4747,S45, last
year; while corn exports were 3,262 327,
against 3.3O9. 1926, last year. September ex-
ports of wheat surpass all records,
to 25.S6S.S3S bushels. against
II. 6l6Sl5, last year, owing to high prices,
the value being over 100 per cent. larger
for all breastuffs.
The price of wheat has declined q of a
cent. and of corn cent. with the govern
ment report of a yield exceeding $780,
OOO, 600 bushels. Cotton has declined 3-16
to 6.31 cents for spot. some authorities of
repute having published estimates that
the yield will be 9,5OOOOO bales, but the
is yet retarded by the yellow
fever epidemic.
Failures for the week have been 223 in
the United States, against 23S last year, |
and 26 in Canada, against 40 last year.
X. G. Dun Il Co. on Canadian trade |
The Canadian returns. this week, exhibit |
a gradual and gratifying increase in the |
volume of business. At st. John business |
is fairly good in dry goods, clothing and !