Evening journal., 1900-08-18
ONE WEEK OF Trade

The trade reports OF the week are
noticeably favorable Both of the
commercial agencies write in a bulllsh
vein. Bradstreet's says: Among the
favorable features reported this week
are advices of further expansion in
Fall trade distribution at leading
Western centres with relatively best
buying proceeding from those sections
Of the Southwest which have profited
by good crops, a rather better distribu-
ton by dry goods jobbers at the East,
iirmer tone and a perceptble growth
in confidence, accompanied by heavy
buying in some classes Of steel and
iron, and disposition to believe that
an average wheat crop and much more
than average corn and oats crops are
assured. Steady increases in current
gross railway earnings over a year ago
and an exceptionally favorable net
earnings report for the first half of
the year are additionally encouraging
features. The list Of unfavorable ele-
ments in the trade situation Is. at best
a negative one the approaching OF
presidential campaign, though less ef-
fective than usual in this respect, the
backward demand for spring woolens
and the slow demand for the raw ma
terial, the restriction in production OF
some makes of cotton goods, the dull
ness in building materials, notably
lumber, and the backward inquiry for
boots and shoes in the East being
among these. Speculation in nearly all
lines, and especially in food products.
is at low ebb and what price changes
are noted are mainly because of this.
though weather and crop conditions
have played some part in wheat. corn
and cotton respectively. The money
market as a whole is still easy. the
only increase in demand being noted at
the West where trade is expanding. but
the demand to move crops is yet in the
future. Staple prices are, perhaps,
slightly irregular, but changes are
small, and the largest number OF sta
pies are unchanged.
Railway earnings returns are still
very favorable. as may be judged from
the fact that fifty-three roads for the
first week Of August aggregate $685.
S07, gain OF nearly per cent. over
year ago. For the first six months OF
1900 the gross receipts of 1S1 railroads,
really reflective of the entire country's
mileage. aggregate s541, ,1l9731 and
net receipts are $l64955 465, showing
gains Of respectively 1873 and 1915 per
cent. over the same period of 1899,
these increases, It may be recalled, fol-
lowing large gains in the same period
OF recently preceding years. In net re-
turns the trunk lines lead with a gain
OF 30 per cent, but the Southwestern
lines increased q per cent, the South
ern 1914 per cent, the Central Western
1873 per cent, the Eastern 1875 per
cent, and the Pacific 1913 per cont
The small gains are reported by the
Grangers, Is per cent, and the coal
roads, AS per cent
r. C. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Review OF
Trade says: After a great wave OF
advancing prices optimism as to busi-
ness is generally dangerous. But the
, top was reached the middle OF March
, since which time reaction has come In
q every great industry. so that consum,
/. ers are asking whether in some direc
tions the decline may not have beer
unreasonably large, as was the ad
u vance, and whether buying on tn
q present basis of prices is not fairl!
sure There are further evidences o
weaknesses in raw materials, notabl
the break in structural iron, but eac
ts one is availed OF to place heavy con
n tracts. New York is welcoming buy
le ers from all over the country in large
,g numbers than for many years a. thi
st season, in dry goods, in groceries. q
he jewelry and in hardware. ana II coz
lie tracts are not placed to as large a vo
ume as expected by this time it is b'
cause Of conservatism of those VIII
think they may compel some furths
ad shading of prices. Reports this wee
as from other important points OF distr
cd button show the same eagerness to bu
as when the time seems right, and curreI
an business in the country is shown to
ire Of good volume by bank clearings f.
ri- the week at the chief cities outsi'
Of New York, only 2.5 per cent. SMALL
than last years record of extraord
It'll nary speculative activity, and 2o.2 p
ad- cent. larger than in 1898, while at Ne
his York 2l.1 per cent. smaller than a ye
ent ago and 1871 per cent under 1885,
- MORRlSONS CANDIDACY