The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-29
Result of the Spring Trade IN
Staples is Disappointing.
DRYGOODS ARE DEPRESSED
NJrMRER OF FAILURES GREATER
THAN ANY WEEK IN FIVE YEAR
NO SALES OF COTTON GO Os
Among Twenty of the Most staple FRO
ducts Only Two, Hides and Wheat,
Have "a dvanced-- Export of
Past Years &C ntrast d.

| New York, May 27.-Bradstreets to
morrow will say: Results of the sprlnt
trade in staples, which is now over, ar
disappointing. The volume of seasonabl'
merchandise distributed is less than eX
pected without taking into account al
| improvement in business compared witt
a year ago. Nearly all central-westerI
and southern trade centers report bust
ness very quiet. Dry goods continue de-
pressed cotton products selling with diff
ficulty, some varieties only on conces-
sions. The announcement of reduced OF
passed cotton mill dividends, and that
several large mills will shut down to en-
able consumption to overtake production.
when coupled with the comparative in
difference of consumers to the lowest
prices on record for iron and steel would
appear to sufficiently characterize the ac-
tual condition of general trade.
The more favorable features are rela-
tive activity among wooden goods manu-
facturers, who are working on old or
ders: improved demand for shoes and
leather: a continuance of the compare
tive activity on the general demand at
Savannah. Memphis, ST. Louis, Omaha,
Sioux Falls, Minneapolis and st. Paul,
the better demand for lumber at the
west and in the trade outlook in Louisi-
ana, Mississippi and Arkansas. In
creased exports are reported from Pa
cific coast ports, but there is compare
4, fraH bar
except in cattle, wool and hardware in
Portland
Among twenty of the most staple pro-
ducts only two-hides and wheat-have
advanced, while one-half the number
cotton, lumber, coal, bessemer pig iron,
steel billets, steel rails, print cloths, SUI
gar, pork and coffee-are unchanged, al
though there is a nominal advance in the
asking price for Bessemer pig and steel
billets. Now that wool manufacturers
have stocked up wool is off, as are cotton
goods when sold in quantities; rosin is
lower, and among cereals flour, Indian
corn and oats, to which may be added
lard and petroleum.
Exports of wheat flour included as
wheaU from both coasts of the United
States and from Montreal this week
amount to 2,0S1, 1916 bushels, compared
with 2,655,0QQ bushels last week, 2,O64,-
900 bushels in the week a year ago, q
10000 bushels in the week two years
ago, 2,401 900 bushels three years ago,
and as compared with 3,253,00 bushels
in the like week Of 1893. Exports Of In
dian corn also show a falling off, amount
ing to 2,1S5,933 bushels this week,
against $4,000 bushels last week, 1920
900 bushels in the week a year ago, L.
100000 bushels two years ago, $4,000
bushels three years ago and as con-
trasted with 100000 bushels il the like
week of 1898
There were 257 business failures
throughout the United States this week,
a moderate increase compared with the
corresponding period in preceding years.
The aggregate last week was 245, COM
pared with 227 in the fourth week of
May a year ago, 1873 in the like week of
1895, a similar total in 1894, and pa in
the corresponding period of 1893.
There were 20 business failures re-
ported from the Canadion dominion this
week, aaginst % last week, % in the
week year ago, and 30 two years ago.
r. g. DUN 4 CO.'S REVIEW.
New York, May 28.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow
viii say;
People are actually doing more business