The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-07
WEEK AFFORDS LITTLE
COMFORT TO PESSIMISTS
RAILROAD EARNINGS OFFSET
BANK CLEARING FIGURES.
Business Failures as Reported Are
the Fewest for the Last
Eighteen Years.

New York. July 6.-Bradstreers to-mor-
row will say:
"Business is usually dull at this season.
and this year no exception TO the general
rule IS remarked y review Of the last six
months. however. gives little comfort TO
pessimiSts. Bank clearings. II is true. are
smaller by about II per cent than they
were in the first half Of 1888. but railway
earnings are about 10 per cent larger, ard
business failures. n reported 10 Brad
streets. are the feHest reported for eight
cen years back. with liabilities OF failing
traders the smallest with one exception.
and that last year. since 1892
winter wheat has about all been har-
vested in the Southwest. and tho yield
there has been very large. Copious rains
in the Northwest. too. have apparently
worked some improvement judging from
the more cheerful tone OF advices received
thence this week
Raw cotton has been rather irregular
this week. Some Improvement in crop adj
vices Is 10 be noted. but the main intera st
centers IN the efforts Of the overgrown
shortage 10 cover on the old crop GeIiv-
cries.
Wool Continues Dull.
Wool Is duh and manufacturers are
supplying only actual wants. Prices are at
the lowest point reached this season. in
sympathy with the lower opening OF the
July wool sale at london. where under
grades are relatively weakest.
In manufacturing lines dulness and
weakness are most marked in products of
iron and steel. Talk OF an effort by the
great combinations 10 control prices IN the
latter industry is heard. but in the almost
total lack of new business the basic ma
terial, pig iron. wsakens steadily. with
some authorities predicting . per cent re-
duciion from present prices, which are not
attracting buyers.
The situation in boots and shoes and its
allied industries is one of quiet. pending
new developments.
1.-THE settlement OF labor troubles Is re-
fected IN the better demand for building
materials Mt affected ccntcrs. while rains in
the Northwest have allowed white pine
manufacturers to open their works and
give employment to many thousands OF
men. Southern pine prices are weak and
the market for that material is very duh.
Week in Coal and Cereals.
Anthracite coal has advanced - cents a
ton. and while demand has not increased
heavily. the feeling in that tiada is rather
sugar has been marked up again this
week. Coffee is higher. while tea holds the
fun advance scored ON the outbreak Of the
Chinese troubles.
wheat Including -four. shipments for the
week aggregate S.UlSSSs bu-, against $751;
IA bu. last week, 3.15s972 br in the cor
responding week of 1899 272s Sc bu. IN isas.
2;.'e.6cs hu. in 1897 and 2l6l 076 bu in 1886
Corn exports for the week aggregate 1884,
29i bu.. against 41a.654 bu. last week 3,5S.-
81 bu, In this week a year ago. 2.12s,6t2 buL
In lsgS 2,5o2. 900 bu. In 1885,. and 2.l67.OI6 bu.
in 1896
Business failures IN the United States for
tho week number 14i as compared with lS5
last week. 136 In this week n year ago, FL
in 1883. 2l3 in 1897 and 2is in 1856.
Business failures in Canada number -,
as compared with Is last week. q in this
week 2 year ago. 10 in lssS. "a in 1881 and 81