The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-01
Quarters Failures Smallest in
Twelve Years.

While leading western markets note that
the edge has been taken off demand and
that bad roads and weather combined
have retarded retail distribution and hence
affected collections in some sections, re-
suits of the first quarters trade with
wholesalers have been so good that their
sanguine cheerfulness as TO the outlook IS
especially notable. Industrial conditions
continue of a most flattering character,
with advances in wages stiIl a prominent
feature in the iron, steel, machinery and
allied trades. In some lines of manufac-
turing, 1t is true, talk of projected or pos
sible combinations has made for some I'M
certainty. Notable in this respect has
been the glass trade, in which, however,
plans for combinations seemed to have
temporarily failed OF accomplishment.
Iron and steel are in less active demand
al nearly all markets, but this, in some
measure appears to be result of scanty
stocks or possible supplies offering, and
not so much of any curtailment of needs
of small consumers. Large consumers,
with supplies secured ahead, are report
ed waiting TO test the strength of the
sellers position on later deliveries Prices
of material are firm, with some further
advances at the west in rails. Copper and
lead show some return Of strength after
the recent weakness. Lumber demand,
though interferred with at retail, shows
all the old strength of prices.
Wheat Qncluding four shipments for
the week aggregate 1855 23S bushels.
against 3,7467 61 bushels last week. 3,55O664
bushels in the corresponding week of
1898; 2 464, 645 bushels in 1897; 1892 297 bush
els in 1896. and 2,S53.9S3 bushels in 1895.
Since July l, this season, the exports of
wheat aggregate 1884, 800, against $780,,
$40 $50 bushels last year.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
2,411,4 bushels, against 3.699 629 bushels
last week, 4.507,72 bushels in this week
year ago, 4,970, III bushels in 1897; 2,199564
bushels in 1896, and 7S1, $50 bushels in 1895.
Since July l. this season, corn exports ag-
gregae lbs, $50 OPS bushels against 1854,
Gas bushels during the same period a year
ago.
There is some shrinkage in the dry goods
demand at New York, but there is re-
ported a rather better outlook in wooden
goods. Talk of combinations in the wool
en- manufacturing trade has softened wool
quotations at Boston. Philadelphia re-
ports steel plates nearly double the price
when the present movement began, and
the strength of quinine is not being i'm
paired. Bad weather is generally COM
planned of at the west as disturbing dis
tribution at retail, but st. Louis reports
little apparent damage to winter wheat
and that large orders for cars and railway
equipment generally are being placed.
Spring trade at Chicago is the best since
1892, and surpasses that year in many
lines; tanners are preparing inventories
necessary to going into the new combina-
tons and iron and steel are still active,
though with less snap than heretofore On
the Pacific coast the improved tone Of
advices from California is still the fea-
ture. Southern advices are fairly cheer
full. Wheat exports are reported liberal,
and the outlook favors heavy future ship
ments. Iron is firm at Birmingham,
though there are reports OF immense fu-
ture increases in the southern fields out
put
Bank clearings for the week aggregate
81, 901 357, 900. a gain Of less than per cent
over last week. but OF 6S per cent over
last year, while they are double those Of
1894. 1896 and 1897, and the gain over 1892
is 70 per cent.
Past reports OF prosperous trade con-
ditiOns find confirmation In the smallest
number of failures for the quarter, re-
ported for seventeen years past, while
the liabilities are lighter than for twelve
yeaIs preceding. The percentage of as
SITS 10 liabilities. too, is as low as that
reported in the most prosperous years
The total number Of failures for the first
quarter of 1899. as reported to Bradstreet's
was 2,779 twenty-One per cent smaller
than last year 81 per cent less than IN
1897, and 13 per cent smaller than in 1852
while liabilities aggregated 3. POI e5S. q
per cent less than in 1895 80 per cent less
htan in 1896, and 90 per cent smaller than
I in 1893 Increases in failures over year
ago are noted in New England. due mainly
to a large number Of embarrassments in
Massachusetts. but the only increase in
| liabilities in any group Of states IS that
noted in the far west.
DIrN'S REVIEW OF TRADE.
New York March 31-R G. Dun & Co. =
review Of trade win say tomorrow. in part:
Prices are strongly maintained at SIS Is
for bessemer pig at Pittsburg, the various
associations having sold 10.0o0 tons for de-
livery in the last half OF the year a S14 30
and grey forge is stronger az Sl4. 40 but
hesitation appears at Philadelphia about
maintenance OF future prices. Chicago
is inactive compared with recent weeks.
With no sales report 1900 at Chicago.
rails are quoted 81 higher and as much
at Pittsburg. and the sale OF 80 90 tons
OF steel billets 10 the tin plate company
set prices for 1o0 pounds plate At - 70 af-
ter July L Structural demand increases.
but bar mills at the west and south are
consolidatin and ara not disposed 10 take
large contracts. although the Pit;sburg
mills are asking s. 80 because behind their
orders. For plates the demand far tx
oeeds the supply at Philadelphia and Chi
cago. and the leading mills az Pittsburg
are full until August or later In hoops.
cotton ties. tubes and other products. ex-
pected consolidation affects business Nj
nor metals ara stronger for tin at a
cents. with consuming demand. and for
copper al 17.5c, owing 70 London speculz-
ton.
More evidence appears that the WOODEN
manufactures * net helped as get By rev
combinations or the prospect q them. The
buying demand mas beea disappointing
in many ways though IN dress goods &C.
tive Sales Of WOO were = sc 20 pounds
az three chief markets IN four weeks
against SS77.na pounds last year. when
prices ware held a. the top: = 50 80 IN
49, when prices were being rushed up
ward. and S1s2 SO pounds IN Ts2a when
fair. buE not extraordinary. demand to-
goods. Prices are said - Be quiet fer
Ohio XX AZ DC
The boot and shoe nus5ness Is again
hating oecause Of dff[ereEee between buy
ers and sellers a. q prizes
The fluctuations * the Ehsat market
have been large and tend 81 Ehs whole
toward higher Qussations- Exports a. At
lausa ports -four lzcsuded have been. fo-
fou- weeks. Il s7s.51S bushes. agsius. t.
- ~ last year. and Psciac 3 - 81 husa-
elS. agzins. IA L., and the other experts.