The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-30

from 1898 at individual cities were few and
due mainly to changes in methods, un-
connected with the generally large busi-
ness doing. AS compared with 1894 every
city in the country naturally reports
larger clearings, but 1t is worth noting
that thirteen cities in an show decreases
from the year 1892 which still remains at
those cities year Of unequalcd trade.
Heavy Business Of Railroads.
The railroads Of the country have done
the heaviest business in their history az
proved by the gains in gross and net re-
ceipts over all previous records.
That the transportation interests are de-
termined to share still further in the un-
exampled volume OF tonnage offering is
proved by the general advance in rates
scheduled for January 1. 1900. Railroad
building, though mostly Of branches and
feeders, was the heaviest reported since
1880, was double the average OF the pre-
ceding four years and so per cent. larger
than in 1893.
Failures Relatively Smaller.
The record of embarrassments has been
of steadily diminishing scale as regards
number and even in liabilities the years
record is an exceptional one, and were 1t
not for few large failures in the last
two months of the year that period az a
whole would have been fairly entitled TO
the appellation OF phenomenal. Though the
years record is not as yet complete and re-
turns as to assets and liabilities are still
more or less vague, 1t may be stated that
the total number Of failures. based upon
complete returns for eleven months and
partial returns for December. will be in
the neighborhood Of $3.50, certainly little in
excess of that number, a total smaller than
in the preceding year by II per cent, 20 por
cent fewer than in 1897, 3s per cent. lower
than in 1895. 25 per cent smaller than in
1895 or 1894 and 40 per cent less than in
1893. the year OF panic memory. As com
pared with 1892, there is even shown de-
crease Of s per cent. and the number Of
falling traders, firms or corporations IL In
fact the lightest since 1892. seventeen years
ago. AS regards liabilities. while the show
ing is not so good as expected. there is a
reasonable hope of the aggregate not being
much in excess of $l2000100o. which would
be Is per cent. less than In 1898, % per
cent. smaller than in 1897. 81 per cent. less
than in 1896 70 per cent. smaller than in
the panic year. 1898, and only II per cent.
more than in 1892, year of exceptionally
good trade.
The return of normal conditions is in
dicated by the percentage of assets. which
may aggregate $62,0coooo. to liabilities. being
only 51.6 as against 50 per cent. last year,
643 per cent. In 1897. 500 per cent. in 1899,
IS per cent. in 1893 and so per cent. In 1892
The percentage of those failing in business.
too, will show marked shrinkage and will
be among the lowest ever reported, the
probabilities favoring percentage of 00S5
this year against .0l6 last year, .O12o in 1887.
.0l70 in 1898 and .0100 per cent. in 1892. the
smallest percentage in fact since lss2
Paciac Coast States Good Showing.
That the Improvement in business has
made itself felt at last in all parts OF the
country is indicated by the Southern and
Pacific states groups showing the largest
decrease in failures from a year ago, fully
one-third in each case. The business com
munity looks forward to 1900 with at least
equally mixed feelings Of hope and conf
dence.