Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-04-21
Still ON The INCREASE.
No Decline in the Productive Power
of Great Industries of the
Country.
MONEY MARKET IN SAFER CONDITION.
General Business of Country Experi-
ences Such an Expansion as Was
Never Before Known-Is of n SUBJ
stantial and Permanent Character
Spring Weather Aids Trade.

New York, April 17.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
weekly review of trade says: There is
still increase in all legitimate business. ana
the productive power of great industries
increases even though some of their stocks
decline. The sharp reaction in speculation
a week ago in no way affected the produo-
ing capacity of furnaces or mills, and has
been in part recovered, while the disturb
anoe of business caused by the formation
of great combinations has in large measure
ceased. The money market Is in safer and
more wholesome condition, and in spite OF
four heavy payments by large syndicates,
amounting to about $50, 600. has grown
easier. The only stringency has been IN
call loans. 1t is not owing to speculation
alone that payments through the chier
clearing houses have been 500 per cent.
larger than in the same week of 1882, and
1898 per cent. larger than last year. New
York transactions far exceed those OF any
previous week, 81 .46s. 500, 7o9 in amount, but
outside New York the clearings were Alb
per cent. larger than In 1898. and A.6 per
cent. larger than In 1892. The truth is that
no such expansion in the general business
of the country has ever been seen before.
and If such records only were considered
there would be ground for fear that wild
passion Of trading had again lifted the
whole business community off Its feet.
But instead there Is found surprising IN
crease In the chief industries. Naming first
some of which only returns of raw ma
terials imported give definite indications.
raw silk imports increased 81 per cent. Tor
eight months of the fiscal year over last,
hides 40 per cent, India rubber rs, tin RI, and
fbers 10 per cent.
1.-The output of pig iron April was 245.
746 tons weekly, against 22s,19S March l,
with 115.1lS tons decrease in stocks unsold
and 16,6OO in warrant stocks, indicating a
consumption in manufacture of 1,056, 043
tnnS n No oh ha or nf an other fur.
naces to get into operation, with their pos
sible output of 10000 tons more weekly, has
helped to keep prices of pig quite steady.
although strong, but the demand for fin
ished products is far from satisfied. The
Maryland Steel company has orders for
$4,000 tons of steel rails for the Chinese
eastern. Plates have sold at s2.1 for sheared
at Pittsburgh, but the leading mills there
and mills elsewhere are crowded for
months. and many will not quote at ALL
I'm spite of some strikes because wages
were not raised as much as hands expected.
the cotton industry has a very good
demand and most of the mills are working
satisfactorily. A southern combination OF
fine goods makers is proposed. like that OF
Fall River mills, which has kept prices
quite steady of late. Wooden mills have be-
gun to buy wool more largely, though al
prices much of their own making, but there
is improving demand for goods
Wheat advanced about half cent, &C.
counts of injury discovered since April
supplementing the government report
Were the worst of the stories true, there 1:
yet spring wheat seeding to make up fol
deficiencies, though the season is getting
rather late. Corn is shade stronger.
Failures for the week have been 1888 In
the United States, against 254 last year
and % in Canada, against ID last year"
As Seen by Bradstreet.
Bradstreet's says: Real spring weather
has improved the tone of trade, particular
ly retail. and correspondingly helped job.
bling distribution, but, at the same time
brought last winters injury to the winter
crop more in evidence. The regular month.
ly government crop report proved rather
more favorable than expected. foreshadow
ing, on the basis of last falls largely in
creased acreage, yield little below tina
of last season.
Among the favorable features coming
to light this week might be mentioned tn,
receipt of continued good railroad earnings
reports, advices of widespread industrial
activity. accompanied by rather less thar
usual friction, as reflected in strikes fol
higher wages and largely improved dis
tribution of WOOL which appears to have
Weakened at last from its long sleep. Sales
of this staple. indeed, are the heaviest re
ported for many weeks past, both inside
and outside of the combinations having
bought freely of territory and other do
nestle grades.
'Advices from the manufacturing jew
elry trade are in high degree favorable
some estimates pointing to Is per cent
more business being done this spring than {
year ago, while the retail trade is of goot
tone and collections have improved. Tht
iron and steel industry remains firm
though the tone of the market generally l!
quieter. Pig iron production is increasing
but consumptive requirements are still
urgent The lumber market is active a
wholesale; stocks are small and prioe
manifest aggressive strength. There is
fair demand for coal, but milder weather
tends to discourage large sales. Curren
demand for dry goods at the east is quieter
though fall orders are reported notabl,
good and dress woolens are in satisfactor!
demand. Boots and shoes are firm at tn
advance made over the seasons opening
quotations. The strength of prices in Marcel
renders comparisons with earlier period
interesting. Compared with a year ago
the general level of values is eight per cent
higher. while there is an advance shown o
nearly 40 per cent. from the low water pc
riod of October, 1896"
Dr.. Bulls Cough Syrup help
consumptives and cures incipient con
sumption; it loosens the phlegm ant
heals. 1t is without doubt the bes
cough medicine. Price 25c.