The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-30
DUN's REVIEW OF TRADE.
Cotton Goods Still "a Weak Point IL.
General Business.

NEW YORK, March 30--Dun's weekly
review of trade today says:
The condition of general business is
in most respects satisfactory The dry
goods trade, and particularly the cotton
division, IS gloomy. with further reduc-
tons in prices OF staple goods. this week,
and demand falling 10 increase with the
shading Of quotations; but from every
other department Of business reports are
cheerful, and the outlook for good spring
retail turnover IS encouraging.
There is little difficulty over collections
in any direction and the mercantile de-
mand Tor money from numerous quarters
is proof Of the confidence felt among
uanufa eturers and jobbers- The labor
situation IS more tranquil Mining differ
ences in the soft coal region are settled.
and sober couIsrls sem TO have prevailed
among anthracite miners
Railroad earnings in three weeks of
March show an increase of 19-2 per cent
over last year and 35.5 per cent over 1888
Bank clearings for the week AT New York
gained 494 per cent over 1890 and p per
cent over 1899. while at leading cities out
side New York the gain Is 209 per cent
over last year and 49, per cent over 1899.
Aside from the expected advance in
structural shapes there is comparative
about 81 per ton in angles beams and
other similar forms will not materially
affect the cost 20 large consumers. as con-
tracts for much Of the years tonnage had
been placed in anticipation OF the new
rate. After more or less advance every
week for two months it is gratifying to
find that Besssmer pig remained seven
days without alteration. The tone is firm.
Prices Of boots and shoes are well sus-
tanned without any quotabIe changes. Chi
cago hides again average lower, the weak
ness being partly attributable to the ex-
trcmcly poor qUaH-S OF offerings
That bottom prices for wool has been
reached at last IS evidenced by the grow
ing uuwilliagneSs of holders TO make con-
CeSsiOns. The greater activity OF dealers,
and indications that purchases for specu-
latiOn are Of considerable volume Trans
actions show 4 ma teriaI gain at the lead
ing markets, while shipments from Bos-
ton exceed those Of preceding weeks. Eff
forts to secure even fractional advances
in quotations. however. end negotiations,
and steadiHess II the best that can be
said of this staple
1T was not possible to maintain the
small recovery late last week IL. raw cot
ton, and subsequent reaction established
q new low record for the crop year While
the decline has been severe mills are not
ready TO purchase freely, and foreign buy
ing for the month Is lar below last year =.
Efforts will Ice made to prevent the
enormous acreage meditated. but unparal-
leIcd sales Of fertiii eTs have already oc-
CURED. Even granting a large Yield, how
ever there IS good reason 10 hope that the
weakness Will soon be checked by the bet
ter demand which should result from the
attractive terms at which splnneiS can
now secure raw material
Wheat did not respond to rumors OF
damage, but found reason for strength in
Atlantic exports, including -four in foIr
weeks, OF Il .452, g4T bushels. against 6.olS, 16-
in 1850. Stock speculation this week was
very active, and the market had q healthy
movement.
Exchange was stronger and a smaller
amount OF gold was shipped To Europe on
special operation Foreign commerce at
the port OF New York continues unsatiS-
factory In three weeks exports Of mer-
Chdudise show a loss Of 81, So, 553, com
pared with the same time last year, while
| imports increased 1853 SIG.
Failures for the week numbered 2J6 in
the United States. against 2G3 last year,
and - in Canada, against % last year