The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-08
RECORD On FAILURES
For the First Quarter of 1899
But Twice Surpassed.
STRIKES FOR MORE PAY
Have Been a Weeks Feature
Great Slump in Stocks,

were in number 2.12, against 1857 last
wear and the liabilities s27, 152, 0sl, against
go s46. 565 a decrease Of IT'S per cent. &c
ographicaI aspects make the return peeai-
Jar with slight increase OF oeIaulls III
New England, an increase OF 10 per cent III
the southeast and 70 per cent III the cen
tral states There was decrease OF near4y
30 per cent in the Pacific and southwestern
states, Il per cent in western states anu
AZ per cent in middle states. NO other
wear of the twenty-four covered by Dun
nt3arterIe reports has shown as small tall-
ures during its first quarter, excepting
1873 and 1881. and no other except 1881 anu
1896 as small liabilities per failure. The
average of defaulted lab eues per nrm IN
business. only 22l9, is smaller than in the
first quarter of any year except 1881 ana
the rate of defaulted liabilities to solvent
payments through clearing houses only
SIP per 81 200, is also the lowest for the
quarter except in 1880.
The famine in iron, caused by urgent de-
mand far exceeding present supply, not
only continues but has caused to start
forty-eight additional furnaces, with an
output estimated at 1890 tons weekly, OF
which the bulletin of the iron association
has given a list. These are expected to
increase production this month and yet
more in May and June, and some weak
ness has been attributed to the prospect.
But the price of grey forge has again ad-
vanced to $3.50 at Pittsburg, without
| change in other quotations. The demand
for products is still enormous. Contracts
for the East river bridge, covering 1900
| tons acid open-hearth steel, have been
| placed at Pittsburg, and one covering g.
| 900 tons for a Newark building, besides
one at Philadelphia for 5000 tons ship
plates many for bridge and other works,
and in pipes new business is so great that
| it forces a 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 firmness Of mant-
| facturers, who notified customers that op-
/ lions for boots and shoes not accepted for
| April would be withdrawn. A great num-
Der of orders followed, 1t IS said. April
| begins with the largest shipments for that
week in any year, 9S, 734 cases, making the
total for the year larger than in any year
excepting 1888. Manufacturers who bought
! leather at low prices months ago have
| comfortable margins, but those who buy
! at the higher prices lately quoted are
| seeking an advance, which. as before, job
| bers generally refuse. The market for
| copper is stronger, at IS cents for lake,
| and while domestic consumption is heavy,
| the increase of 100 tons in European sup
| ply in March is not considered encourag-
ing.
The wooden manufacturer does not yet
/ appear to have gained by recent consolida-
tons 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 majority are yet in
| need Of orders. Sales of wool have but
| slightly increased. though more inquiry is
| reported. with a better demand for some
grades of goods The cotton mills have
| enjoyed a fine demand Of late and have
held prices We but strikes have NOW
! Closed several large mills about Provl-
dence and Norwich. growing out OF the
recent advance in wages which the hands
claim. does not effect the full restoration
promised Meanwhile cotton has been
weaker. with better receipts in March and
poorer foreign demand.
Wheat has been wildly luctuating. with
out much visible reason, rumors being
wildly contradictory as usual al this sea
son. and commanding not much more con-
fidence than usual. The exports from At
lantic ports for the week. -four included
have been 2074 769 bushels. against 2.24O..
172 last year. and in spite Of al reports
the current receipts continue to exceed
last years. The prospect for continuance
Of large exports Of staples has not i'm
proved within the past ten days.
Failures for the week have been IA II
the United States against 222 last year
and Il In Canada against % last year.
BRADSTREET's
New York. April 7.-Bradstreets' tomor-
row will say: The quieter tone Of distrib-
ative trade Is even more marked this weel
than last. testifying 70 the unfavorable
effect upon retail trade and indirectly
upon jobbing distribution, Of the cold
backward spring and less favorable wheat
crop advlces. While reports as TO th'
damage 10 winter wheat are more nUmer
Gus from the southwest, the influences o.
the backward season. frost IN the GROUND
and other unfsvorabIe conditions hav'
tended TO moderate the hitherto yerl
cheerful tone OF advices from the spdnl
wheat states.
. Z - Trr-
Their ouieting down Of the excitement Il
iron and steel, though here lack Of sup
plies and not lack Of consumptive deman'
Is assigned as the chief reason. A str!k
OF iron ore miners in the Lake Superio
district seems likely % coInplicate the or
supp!v question. Strikes involving 1890
men have been feature OF the week,
operations. Lumber i feeling the infu
ence OF expanding spring demand a. man,
markets and prices are very strong
The situation in textiles IS little chang
ed. Cotton is slightly lower on fuller Gro
: movement. but manufactured goods ar
firm. though some speculative lots OF Era
eottons have been offered AZ concessions
: / Wool and woolens are rather quies. thong
fan orders FOR women's vSear goods AZ
encouraging and the raw product
: steady. the view being that the propose
I goods combinations rave 1ot got yer
large supplies Of wool The situation a
regards prices Is staI 9 very favorabl
ore. the list % staples advancing O. -
naming steady being BY far~tas mos, II
ras-ors. while bank clearing statistic.
railroad earnings ard al ether ara a
other obtainable measures 81 trade p.
gress point 20 an Immense business. spes
NATIVE ard otherwise. having been don
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