The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-13
a GOOD BEGINNING.
Prices of Commodities Hold Fast and
Wages Rise Continually.

" 6SS % 1S486 OO4 b4A A6AAJs
New York, Jan. 13-R. G. Dun &
Company's Weekly Review OF Trade
says:
The business of the new year begins
well though there is still 1nuch of the
usual hesitation. In branches where
last years business was extraordinary
and prices have risen greatly some
pause is natural, though nothing 1ndf-
Gates decrease of consuming disposition
or purchasing power. but there is con-
tlnu1ng rise in wages to promote IN
crease. Monetary conditions have
grown easier with the return of 81, O00,
900 from the interior during the week
and further deposits of the treasury and
more liquidation in some speculative
stocks has also helped Banks report
an increase in their per cent or com
mercial loans and rates were generally
more easy after the decline announced
by European banks
The furnaces in blast January were
producing weekly 294, 1856 tons of pig
iron, against 296, $50 December 1st, but
as several had stopped only for the hOli-
days and others had started the output
now is probably larger than at either
date. It exceeds consumption at least,
as the Iron Age shows an increase OF
8, 255 tons in unsold stocks, but the man
ufacture apparently consumed during
the year 1881, 626 tons, less small net
exports in December. The increase
since 1892 is about 4,225. 900 tons, or As. 5
per cent; prices change scarcely any,
nor is new business significant. The
minor metals are strong in tone, but as
yet without much change in prices.
Textile manufa ctories are more fully
employed than for a long time, though
scarcity of water has troubled some
cotton mills.
Trading is embarrassed by uncer-
tainty about prices. Wool IS not ac-
tive, nor are spectators or manufac-
turerS in haste to buy at current prices,
though the market shows some adj
vances for the next season, with ex-
cellent trade thus far. The effect upon
the seasons sales can NOT be judged.
Cotton goods have been quiet and no
longer advance in prices as the market
for the material is uncertain in tone.
The boot and shoe manufacturer has a
similar difficulty, for while shipments
are heavier than ever before at this sea-
son, in two weeks 1895 cases, against
14S, 174 last year. and ILL., Isl in 1898, as
the rapid distribution to consumers
causes most urgent calls for goods
previously ordered, yet dealers are slow
to order more in the fear that prices
will not hold. Manufacturers insist that
still further advances are needed to
cover the cost of leather. The Chicago
market for hides is weaker with a
lower average than at any time since
November l.
Cotton moves so slowly that belief in
a very short crop is constantly
strengthened, but foreign demands are
much reduced also. On January only
5000 OBJ bales had come into sight,
against S,0O1, 916 last year, but exports
had decreased 1. IT'S, 900 bales and Euro
pean stocks were far below last years s.
For the present foreigners are using up
old stocks instead of buying more and
the price hesi1ates.
Wheat has been slow to move also,
Atlantic exports in two weeks having
been only 4,376.514 bushels, -four includ-
ed, against 9.452.1 JOG last year, and Pa
cific ], 312, 1893 against 1,524,051 last year,
The prices close a fraction higher. Corn
receipts have also fallen below last
years, though the exports in two weeks
have been 1881, 1888 bushels against
7,199, 913 bushels last year and prices
have advanced about half q cent.
Failure for the week have been 274 in
the United States, against 31S last year
and Is in Canada against "a last year.