The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-09
DUN's REVIEW OF TRADE.
Declines in Prices of staple Products
With Little Pressure to Sell.

NEW. YORK, Feb. s.-Duns review to-
morrow will say:
More seasonable weather In the East
| has brought up the volume Of business In
retail lines little this week, and at the
west and South distribution of mercha n
disc is on satisfactory scale. Prices of
staple products show but moderate de-
cline and quotations of manufactured
goods are steady in all directions
Pressure TO sell is everywhere eonspic-
uously absent. Jobbers report orders for
spring goods. particularly for the Western
trade, and the only complaint still comes
from the WOODEN goods market in the
East, which has not yet felt the expected
stimulus. In this line, however, pri,-s.-ti,.
not decline. and agents expect better con-
ditions. Comparative returns to date of
railroad earnings in January show an in
crease over last year of S.S per cent and
gain over 1899 OF 2S.4 per cent. The
heavier gains are reported from the
Southwest and are believed to reflect ex-
Danding wholesale trade in dry goods and
groceries.
Bank clearings at New York for the
week gained 39.l per cent over 1900 and
1876 per cent over 1899. while at leading
cities outside New York there is gain
of As per cent over last year and S5 per
cent over 1899.
Large operations in the stocks of lead
ing steel companies do not affect the vol
ume of business or the prices of their
products as yet, and probably will have
no material influence in the future. Quo
tations will depend on the relation OF sup
ply to demand, which at present gives an
undertone Of great strength.
Activity continues in footwear iobbers
placing large contracts at well-sustained
prices. No alterations are reported In
quotations, but there is some evidence OF
slight reduction in quality. purchasers re-
fusing to advance their figures and ac
cepting somewhat lower grades instead.
This appears to be practically equivalent
to a rise in prices.
Textile industries do not revive ap-
preciably, even the lower temperature
falling to infuse life into woolens, aside
from better retail dealings. Manufacture
ers make small purchases of raw material
showing preference for cheaper grades
and even then insisting small conces-
sions. London auction operations became
less satisfactory IS the sale progressed.
Cotton goods are uniformly dull, with
some labor controversies added to the
other troubles at the mills. Another re-
duction in the average price of raw silk
makes loss of nearly So per pound since
January, 1900
Spot cotton lost another eighth on
Monday and another on Tuesday, making
the decline $3.50 bale within q week.
After such a severe reaction to the lowest
point since early December 1t was not
surprising that prices should steady. Fig
ures of supply have been somewhat con-
fusing; last week there was an increase
while in the week preceding a loss oc-
CURED. This week. however. port receipts
show a heavy less compared with 1900.
Planters are still holding back part of
their crop at some points, and active prep
arations for the new yield have been
commenced by blowing in Texas.
Wheat fell below so cents, ample snow
affording the desired protection in winter
better enquiry on foreign account, in
Guiding moderate purchases for Spain
Stock speculation again increased heavily
in volume and at the end of the week
closely approached the January record.
After showing some hesitation for a
time the stock market recovered tone rap
idly and prices forged ahead under the in
fluence of the purchase of the controlling
interest in Southern Pacific Company by
Union Pacific and reports that arrange
ments are being perfected by prominent
banking houses TO effect community or |
interest if not an actual consolidation, of /
some of the large steel companies.
Foreign commerce at this port for the |
last week showed decrease in imports of |
81 1898. 1863 from the movement year ago,
the principal loss occurring in dry goods. |
Exports were little changed.
Failures for the week were $50 in the
United States, against 245 last year, and
80 in Canada against 80 last year.