The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-20

New York, Aug. 19.-Bradstreets tomor-
row will say:
perhaps the most interesting feature
of the general business situation at pres
ent IS the air of confidence with which
the mercantile community awaits the APP
proach of the Autumn trade period.
1.-THE total gross earnings of Ill systems
aggregate s426, 9sS, 800 against net returns
of SI24. 015,975, gains respectively of lis
per cent, and of AS per cent.
1.-The speculative stock market at New
York was exceedingly active and strong
early in the week, and after reaction
has become steady and quieter
Business failures are larger in number
than last week. aggregating 193 against
ISL last week, but compare with 81 in
this week year ago, 24 in 1895, 1872 in
1895
Bank clearings aggregate 1878, 622 600.
gain of per cent over last week.
Buyers are appearing IN increased
numbers at leading Western markets.
Chicago reports increased activity in dis
tributive trade on country demand, with
dry goods shipments especially large.
Southern and Western buyers are arriv-
ing at St. Louis. and dry goods, boots
and shoes, hats and caps are all active
Kansas City. Omaha ST. Paul and Oma-
ha report active trade. East of the Mis-
the West reports of trade are not so fiat
tering, but a steady business is reported
dong.
Bad roads still restrict business at
New Orleans but . large autumn bus
mess is expected. In the South ATTAIN
| tic cities reports are of perceptiole I'M
provement in trade. On the Pacific
Coast, while business is quiet in Cailfor-
MIA, large crops in Oregon and Wasnlhg-
ton are expected to make Autumn trade
| lively. At the East more Is doing at BAL
| timore. AT Boston and New York a mod
| crate Improvement is noted Inc ne
pressed condition of the raw staple tends
| to discourage future business IN cotton
goods, but print cloths are flrm' ana
there is less talk of curtaiing proouc-
| ton at Fall River.
| .While. of course based in some degree
on favorable results already achieved IN
| many lines, it is unquestionably true that
| the fattering crop outlook, iat home ana
| the return Of peace, with the expectation
/ of benefits to our export trade naturaliy
expected to accrue therefrom, make for
much of the feeling thus expressed
| Reflection of the growth ofgtAutumn
| trade is found in the steady expansion
now going on in bank clearings, the i'm
proving demand at higher prices for most
makes of iron and steel, the generally IA
| VOrdDl6 TdIhWdy WiitSii, AZ w
! fault of a large movement of crops to
| market, point to large return trade in
manufactured goods to the agricultural
| sections, and the reports of continued ac-
| tivity in distributive trade West and
! South, with signs of a moderate increase
! in interest at leading Eastern markets
| which hitherto have not shared largely
| in the trade improvement. The immense
| business doing in iron and steel products,
| at advanced prices, calls attention to the
| proportionately less notable expansion OF
| crude iron production. The situation IN &C.
/ reals shows but little change. The bal
| ance established between phenomenally
| reduced visible supplies, active milling de-
| mand at home and fair export inquiry,
| on the one hand, and the very promis-
/ ing crop outlook, on the other hand, tends
| to steadiness in prices. and other cereals
sympathize with wheat Large supplies
| of raw cotton at home and abroad and
| the prediction of a yield this year nearly
| equal to, IL not exceeding, that grown
| a year ago, while naturally stimulating to
| business at the South, has had depress-
ing effect upon the price of the raw staple
and quotations are a fraction lower fol-