New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-11

rally have concluded that It was we'll for them
to start early.
Sales last week were really Insignificant. Sugar
alone making about 30 per cent of the aggre-
gate and the eight largest railroad stocks only
about ~ per cent. The average Of prices closed
% cents per share higher FOR the week in rail-
road stocks, with Trust stocks just 81 per snare
higher. There is plenty OF news which might
encourage buying Of other things rather than
OF Sugar The earnings OF ninety-nne railroads
in March were 1882 per cent larger than last
year. and there is especial significance IN the
fact shown by Duns Review this week that
the gain Of per cent. compared with the earn
ings in 1892 appears in spite Of heavy decline
In ra tes per ton per mile. which are now lower
than year ago. but were then 13.5 per cent
lower than in 1892. Nothing less than an ex-
traordnary increase in tonnage could result In
O. large increase of earnings under such circum-
stances.
In other respects the evidences OF business ac-
tivity are generally encouraging. The payments
through the principal clearing houses outside
New York for the first week OF April were also.
by interesting coincidence just per cent larger
than In 1892 though at New-York the gain was
smaller. owing 10 speculative inactivity, nut the
aggregate was 21.S per cent larger than in the
same week last year In all branches or bhsi-
ness In which definite statistics are obtainabie
the volume OF trade is remarkably heaVy al
though not as large In new orders as in deiv-
cries on past contracts. In boots and shoes.
after purchases for something like half a years
work for many OF the largest establishments
were crowded into the six weeks ending with
March &c. 1t is not entirely surprising that or
ders diminish. the wonder being that so many
in addition continue to come forward. and from
all parts OF the country. The shipments FOR the
nrst week OF April were the largest in that week
OF any year except 1895 being only slightly ex-
cccded In that year. and for Ave weeks past the
shipments from the East have been slightly
larger than in 1866 and have considerably ex-
ceeded those OF any other year. Prices have
been further reduced slightly, and without
change in quotations OF leather the market for
hides is only a small fraction lower at Chicago
Print cloths. at two cents have touched the
lowest point ever known. bat other staple cotton
goods are not quotaby lover. although the
market liz reported duh. The fact that
eral mills have resumed operations after idle
ness for some weeks because OF strikes seems to
indicate that the trade is sill large. ard takings
Of spinner in the last five weeks have been
In ls'C from the largest crop ever grown. and
10000 bales ny Southern mills. against 5000
In the same weeks OF iha; year. The quantity ~
cotton which has come into sight since Septem-
Der ]. now l0.-G31O bales. Ia over million
bales larger than in lsoJ Ia the same date The
wool narke, IL stagnant and weaker, though not
because the consumption Of the mills appears to
have Iessencd and while some goods have been
sold az low figures indicating overproduc-
ton in particular lines the prices OF staples
arc all maintained with much s;eadlness II Is |
suppo1cl that the extraordinary pro-
duction OF iron and steel a. this time is largely |
due to Government preparations which do in |
deed crowd some works night and day but |
many other works are equally crowded without |
such orders. and tho aggregate Of the Govern
m@nts business In this industry Is only a small |
fraction ~ an output which must materially ex-
coed 100000 tons weekly
Wheat Huctuates IN n fashion doubtless de- |
lighif 10 the successful scalpcrs al Chicago 81 /
HON he merchant Letter is now accounted |
one. hri has not fallen below 81 here notwith- |
standing Western receipts stin exceed last
years feature OF peculiar interest IS the
Extraordinary outgo from Pacific ports which
amounted last week To .2,j "a bushels -four |
Included. against AZ 80 'or tho corresponding
week last year. while Atlantic exports were
l"io l13 bushels. against 52l l22 last year.
As corn exports are also larger than "A year ago. |
End tn hIg sa!cr 10 move the speculative ac-
humiliation AZ Chicago seem 20 mako llttle i'm
preston On foreign prices. the market - no,
strung. Reports about growing
~hea; are on the whole encouraging. al
though n" estimate n this time 81 the year can
nave real value. The continuing excess II exports
OYER imports - merchandise however. gives
tte ground for expectation that the Imports
- goll Will speedily terminate. though the or
lors from Europe and Australia since the move
mcnt began have now exceeded $jJUOproO and
nevertheless several millions OF deferred ex-
hanse are SIN known To he held here as col
atera for loans.