Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-10
Business for the Last Quarter
Larger Than a Year Ago.
THE DEMANDS OF LABOR
Conditions Are Somewhat Clouded by
Movements for Higher Pay, but
Compromises Are Many
Corn Prices Up.

mediate effects OF stock speculation
and industrial consultations, the vol
ume of business has been larger this
year than year ago. AT that time
the extensive rise in wages which fol-
lowed combination in many cases had
not yet taken place, and the purchas-
ing power OF the people was smaller
than it is now Very many of the us
ual spring demands for higher wages
have been granted, or in part granted
by compromise, so that no more than
the usual hindrance from that source
now seems probable. But some of the
disputes threaten to last for some
months"
After thus generalizing on present
business conditions in the United
States, r. g. Dun & Co.'S. Weekly Re
view of Trade continues:
Only twice in twenty-five years
would such failures as those, of the
first quarter of 1900 have seemed large
They are large compared with last
year and 1898, and would have looked
larger i'll 1855. The amount of liabil-
tiles, $56,677,055, includes $21,161,000
| for the United States Flour Milling
company and $2,492,4S2 for sixteen
banks and other financial. corporations
leaving 2,S94 commercial failures, with
| $33,022,572 liabilities.
| Actual defaults in manufacturing
| are smaller than in the first quarter
of any other year except 1899 since
classified failures began, as are trad
| ing liabilities, and, while Massachu-
sets and New England failures have
| been larger than in the first quarter
of any other year since 1894, reports
from other states and sections are
mainly. smaller than in other years
excepting the last. In the southern
and Pacific states the failures We're
smaller than in the same quarter of
any other year 1t is to exceptional
and not to general conditions that any
increase is due.
Conditions In Grain.
| A little increase in foreign exports
.of wheat from Atlantic ports--four
included, 2,s6s,622 bushels, against
2,074,769 last year-scrved as occasion
4 for little rise. but the gain was lost
later, and the week closes unchanged.
Pacific exports We're 1,025,125 bushels,
against '3o2,s7e. last year. Corn
EXPORTS 95,915 bushels, against
3,412,4s0 last year-for the
week showed not much greater gain,
while receipts We're over a million
/ bushels larger than last year, but the
price rose / W cents.
While cotton supplies remaining are
comparatively small, slight changes in
movement affect prices much. This
| fact rather than any change in posi-
ton or prospects must account for the
4 fall of cotton 10 $50 cents and its later
rise tic 9.T5 with Insignificant change
in options
T No change has come in cotton goods
i this no dealings for the future
are hindered. Business in woolenss is
also somewhat unsatisfactory, with
cancellations comparatively numerous
and orders smaller than were expect
ed. The sinking in prices of wool con-
4 tinues, from one-half of cent to a
cent more having been conceded. The
sales this week ait three chief markets
i have been only 3,933,600 pounds, and
1 the absence OF manufacturers from
dealings still has its natural effect,
The rise, in sole leather has helped
manufacturers of, boots and shoes to
hold prices, but not to get more or
4 ders,, which are much smaller than in
/ previous. years.
|, The steel sheet consolidation, with
i President McMurtry, Of the Apollo
works ut the head, promises great i'm
y portance. Ii this, the tin plate, hoop
n and National steel works make alli-
4 ance with the Carnegie company, as'is
reported, she whole industry will soon
-er or later be affected. For the pres
ent no change appears in prices of pig,
and only slightly more yielding in
!. plates and bars to secure more busi-
ness. But many new contracts are re
ported, including one purchase Of
rails for export, and the situation is
generally more hopeful. Changes in
minor metals are not important, the
copper grows steadily stronger, with
exports of 1870 tons from only three
ports this month The output of coke
continues much the largest evel
known.
Failures for the week are $50 in the
United States, against 141 last Year
and twenty-nine in Canada, .againsr
seventeen last year.
As viewed by Bradstreet.
Bradstreet's says:
Favorable features continue in the
majority in the general trade situation
The hopes for the advent Of seasonablt
spring weather have been realized, ant
nearly all markets report an improved
distribution ar retail This is really
the key of the general merchandise
situation.
The industrial situation is a rather
spotted one. April /, instead of May i
seems to have been fixed upon as {
date for presenting new demands a.
to wages and hours. While man,
thousand men are directly or Indirect
~, II