The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-06
WEEKLY TRADE REVIEW.
Bradstreers and Dun Review the Condition
Of Trade in The Country.
APRIL FAILURES TIE SMALLEST ON RECORD
In Some Lines Prices Have Been
Advanced So High That Business
Is Restricted-Wool Statistics.

New York. May 5.--R. G Dun G. Cos
Weekly Review of Trade tomorrow will
say. The failures in April were the small
est in any month since records by months
began. 3s per cent smaller than in April
last year, not a third of the amount II
1897 and not half the amount of April in
any previous year Both in manufacturing
and in trading they were the smallest
ever known in that month and in trading
the smallest ever known in any month.
The ratio OF defaulted liabilities to solvent
payments through clearing houses was less
than 10 cents per $1,000 against 30 cents
in January and s119 in March, s1.S3 in
August and $500 in September, 1896. A
great share of the risk in the business
world has been eliminated.
1t is not inconsistent nor strange II
business has all this, because II has been
crowded to the utmost in anticipation oil
future needs on account of new comoina-
lions proposed. In some cases prices have
been advanced so far as to check new
business and in others works have peen
engaged so far ahead that the new orders
can not be taken. Yet new business III
amounts which would have. been astonish-
ing two years ago is still coming forward
and the voluntary advance in wages ny
the sixteen Bessemer firms of the Central
association and By the Fricke Coke works
whose shipments in April 80, 4O2 ears,
were the heaviest ever known, snow con-
fidence in the future.
At Buffalo and in Idaho strikes are caus-
ing trouble, but labor questions do not
affect general business.
The grain movement has fallen of, only
2.464,1lS bushels having been received at
the West during the week against i,145,-
74s last year, while wheat exports from
both coasts have been better 354j,7 57
bushels, flour included, against 1854 237
last year
Nearly all iron works are crowded for
months ahead but good many are catch
ing up with their orders, which have re-
Gently diminished.
The report that all the great companies
are to be merged into one influences the
stock market. but is still scarcely credited
and the raising of foreign prices whore
American competition is no longer felt is
suggestive. Pig is nowhere higher, nor
has any class of finished products estah-
lished higher prices, though In many the
demand exceeds supply. London specula-
tion made higher price for tin at S25.S5.
The only change in leather is a small
advance IN union sole and hides are half
of per cent stronger at Chicago.
Wool sales for he week have been
large, S,S59,S53 pounds. owing to sales of
over million pounds Australian bond for
export, and heavy speculative purchases
OF territory. The wool year ends with
heavy stocks on hand and prices 10 Per
cent lower than last year, British prices
averaging about II per cent higher for
Australian fine, but about 10 per cent lower
for English and cross bred woods Sales
of domestic wool in four months have been
1888. lS5 pounds more than in any year
excepting 1897, when Spectators were
taking in the heavy stocks which some Of
them have recently been selling at q loss
but sales of foreign have been 81 725, 500
pounds for the year, against 9S 264 $50 in
that year.
The market in goods is little stronger
with an advance In clay mixtures, but
In general is waiting for the outcome Of
new combinations and about some of these
there is some doubt whether they will be
completed. The worsted combination has
gone into operation but without interfer-
ing with deliveries Of goods under previous
orders.
The cotton goods market is the more
steady because some strikes still limit
production little, but is quite encourae-
ing and active and in some staples has
further advanced
Failures for the week have been 15S in
the United States against 23S last wear
and 2S in Canada against 25 last year