The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-04
DUNs REPORT.
During Januari There Was an Epidemic
of Consultations.

During January There Was an Epidemic
of Consultations.
New York, Feb. S-R. G. Dun & Co. s
review of trade tomorrow will say:
Failures in January were smaller
than in any previous month except
August, 1885, and July, 1897. The manu-
featuring failures were the smallest eX-
cepting August 1898. There were only
seven failures for 100000 or more, and
the average of liabilities per failure is
smaller than in January of any other
year.
Considering that January is usually
one of the largest months of the year
in failure the return is surprising as
well as encouraging. There is an cpl
demic of consultations. Never before
have so many organizations of that sort
been in operation or progress. While
ignorant prejudice condemns all
though many are beneficial, it seems
probable that the business is at pres
ent being much overdone. Some of the
most important corporations are wisely
and conservatively managed. But
others are hosting prices without much
reason or sense after paying for prop
critics more than they We're worth TO
previous owners. In some cases the pur-
chaSes will prove Improbable
The most remarkable feature of the
week has been the decline of five cents
in wheat with only half a cent in corn
and only a 18th in cotton. The govern
ment estimate of the wheat crop 3d.
100000 bushels, has more influence than
any other from that source for a num-
Der of years because it Is recognized
the result of great efforts to get at the
truth and therefore considered about
the lowest estimate admissible
With ordinary consumption and pres
ent exports of 100000 bushels from the
crop of 1898, flour included, there will
be less than 100,000000 bushels for re-
Punishment of stocks for farmers
holdings and for exports in the next
five months, and the exports of 4942, 43f
bushels flour inkuded from Atlantic
ports against 3,G%,517 last year and
LABS, 604 from Pacific ports against 776,
$40 last year, besides 300 S55 from Du-
luth and Portland, Me-, shows a series
of foreign demand may well excuse
some recovery in prices
strong market in cotton goods haq
prevailed and prevents raw cotton from
declining. The advance in goods h-LF
been unusual and is sustained by heavy
buying especially of print cloths and
kindred products. The prospect is that
the outgo will place dealers and manu-
facturers in a stronger position than
they have held for years, with smaller
stocks of goods unsold A better tono
appears in the wooden goods market
also with some important grades which
were opened at a great reduction in
prices recently advanced which has
stimulated the demand for all grades
Sales of wool have been fairly large, 80, !
5O2,4OO pounds for the year thus far
against SO. 7S2,470 last year, So III. 800 in
1897, and $685. 800 in 1892.
Philadelphia has made considerable
sales to eastern mills and to others
starting after long idleness.
The iron industry is advancing prices
of product rather than material. Pie
has remained without change this week
anticipating that six or seven furnaces
will be put into blast as soon as posi-
BILE. The demand is strong, but not an
parently urgent at the chief markets.
Eastern bars and plates have adj
vanced with heavy demand and cut
nails have been hoisted by the associ-
alton of makers. The rush of orders for
the future does not cease and the works
are generally covered for months ahead
with more orders for ships, steel cars
and for exports.
In the minor metals the speculative
fever at London has caused considerable
advance and the tin plate combination
has advanced prices 25 cents. AS vet the
prices of products do not seem to dis.
turb the foreign demand which is vet
strong, but in all the minor metals tbe
London market is singularly uncertain
Failures for the week have been 22A
In the United States against 335 last
year. and rs in Canada against 80 last
year.