The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-08
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES SHOWING
DECREASE IN FAILURES AND
AMOUNTS INVOLVED
FAMINE IN IRON CONTINUES
Despite the Promise of Vastly In
creased Producing Power Figures
Have Shown Steady Advance In
Prices-SOme Big Orders Placed
-hoOt and Shoe Trade Shows n
Big Increase in Orders Filled.

NEW YORK, April 7.-Dun & Co.'S
weekly review of trade will say tomor-
row: Failures in the first quarter of
1889 were in number 2,7T2 against 1857
last year, and the liabilities $27, 152, 031,
against So, 1856, a decrease of 176 per
cent geographical aspects make the 1e-
turn peculiar with a slight increase of
defaults in New England an increase
Oh 10 per cent in the Southeast, and 20
per cent in the Central states There
was decrease of nearly 20 per cent on
the laciiic coast and in Southwestern
States Al per cent in Western states.
ana ~ per cent in Middle states. No
other year of the twenty-four covered
by Duns quarterly reports, has shown
as lew failures during its first quarter
except in 1888 and 1851, and no other ex-
cept 1889 and 1856 as small liabilities per
Iailcre. The average of defaulted LA
b1lities per firm in business only So 10
is smaller than in the first quarter of
any year except 1850, and the rate of
defaulted liabilities to solvent payments
through clearing houses only SLIP per
Sl,ooo, is also the lowest for the quarter
except III 1880.
The famine in iron, caused by urgent
demand, far exceeding present supply,
not only continues, but has caused haste
to start, forty-eight additional furnaces.
with an output estimated at $3.50 tons
weekly. These are expected to increase
production this month and yet more in
May and June and some weakness has
been attributed to the prospect
The demand for products is still enor-
nous. Contracts for the East river
bridge, covering 1900 tons acid, open
hearth steel, have been placed at Pitts
purg and one covering 5000 tons for
new arc building, besides one at Phila-
delphia for 1900 tons ship plates with
many for bridges and other works, and
In pipes new business is so great that it
forces farther advance in prices. while
parties are trying to consolidate The
Republic Iron and Steel company will be
the combination of Western bar mills
and the hoop and cotton tie association
will soon be completed
In another industry progress seems to
have been caused by f1rmness of manu-
facturers. who notified customers that
options for boots and shoes not accept
ed for April would be withdrawn A
great number of orders followed, 1t is
said, and April begins with the largest
shipment for that week in any year
1871 cases, making the total for the
year larger than In any year excepting
in 1898 Manufacturers who seem to
have bought leather at the low prices
months age, have comfortable margins
but those who buy at the higher prices
lately quoted, are SEEKING an ADVANCE,
which, as befar" JUDGES generally re-
fuse
The woolen manufacture does not yet
appear to have gained by recent con-
sclidations or proposals, but goods of
the finer grades are steady in price, with
moderate orders, while medium and low
grade goods tend In buyers favor. The
demand for a few kinds has covered the
season, but makers of the large ma
Nv or uaf in, Of C<,1o
of wool have but slightly increased.
though more inquiry is reported with
better demard for some grades of goods.
The cotton mills have enjoyed a fine
demand of late and have held prices
well, but strikes have now closed several
large mills about Providence and Nor
witch, growing out of the recent advance
of wages, which the hands claim does
not effect the full restoration promised.
Meanwhile cotton has been weaker, with
better receipts in March and poorer for
foreign demand.