New-York tribune., 1901-04-08

was S2S % a loss Of only nine cents for each
inhabitant, although the Treasury was absorb
ing heavily through excess of receipts over ex-
pendtures Last weeks statement of the asso-
ciated banks reflected moderate movement to
the interior unmportant exports of gold and
further payments to the Treasury. Disburse-
ments by the government for bonds purchased
were made too late to affect the averages. Pay
ments through clearing houses for the first
quarter of the year exceeded $4,000. 10000
gain of "a per cent over last year, and April
opens with proportionately heavier volume of
exchanges. Fairly steady foreign exchange pre-
walls, but foreign commerce at this port showed
a trade balance in four weeks of March less fa-
vorable by $23 1S241T than the phenomenally
good exhibit of March, 1900.
Speculation not confined to the stock mar
ket, for in the staple products there was much
activity. with some violent price changes Corn
dropped sharply from the top point on we'll d-
rected attacks by Western spectators. but
operators for an advance secured control again
at the close. Wheat declined throughout the
week. with less extensive daily fluctuations for
there is an element of strength in the remarka-
bic increase in exports, compared with the
corresponding weeks of preceding years. In
terror receipts have been reported light but this
is probably due in the main to omission OF fig
ures from points where storms have destroyed
communication. Bad country roads may also
affect the movement. as is customary at this
season. The remarkably successful manipula-
ton of pork products is the more interesting IN
the light of recent statistics of packing at the
West for the year ending March l. amounting
to 100000 hogs more than in the preceding
year. while exports show considerable falling
off
No furthe- reductions are reported in prices of
fabrics mr. iS hat
ing, for there have been few weeks since the
year opened when some concessions were not
recorded especially in the cotton goods division.
That supplies are still considered excessive is
evidenced by further curtailment of production
the mills. There is a better demand for i'm
mediate delivery in the wholesale drygoods mar
ket, but purchasers show no disposition to an
ticlpate requirements. AS to wOollens. there is
little interest and manufacturers have
shown some inclination to secure raw material.
Quotations of wool are $50 per cent lower than
a year ago and there is a general feeling that
the decline has reached an end. Transactions
heavy. and effort is made to secure
easier terms. The steadiness has lasted for two
weeks. and shipments fppm Boston for the year
are nearly 30 per cent larger than In 1900 while
stocks have decreased about twenty-five million
pounds since January /.
Again. there appears an increase OF five thou
sand last years shipments of boots
and shoes from thu East. and at this rate 1t will
not take long to make 1901 the banner year in
this respect Among the smaller producers.
however. there are indications that contracts on
hand will soon be filled and in the effort TO se-
cure new business concessions in prices may be
offered No changes in quotations have
CURED in nearly two months. and the continued
ease of hides and leather during that time sug-
gests that any alteration will be downward de-
spite the better export demand. Heavy leather
is still we'll sustained. but lighter hemlock
sole. union and glazed kid small cuts are re-
ported. Stocks Of hides at Chicago arc still op-
pressive and the quality of offerings does
not improve but some packers stubbornly re-
fuse to accept bids at the current level Rubber |
footwear Unexpectedly reduced. and opera
tions at present figures are reported as un-
profitable.
SO far as any change occurred in prices OF
iron and steel II was upward but most products |
are firmly held without variation. Activity at |
mills and furnaces is uninterrupted and in |
quiries for structural shapes and railway sup
plies apparently without limit. Domestic |
buying is so enormous that successful competi- |
ton for an important foreign contract by a |
French concern is not surprising. Statistics of |
output and furnace stocks Of pig iron on April |
awaited with interest. There seems reason |
TO expect record breaking production. Connells- |
Vile coke output is at the top point 234. 143 tons
weekly 1t is interesting to notice that the pres
ent price OF furnace coke is just half what 1t was
a year ago. despite the unparalleled demand and |
yield. Hard coal reduced % to so cents at |
the East. owing to a seasonaby lighter demand. |
but soft coal moves freely at the West. Re- |
fined petroleum is again lower at 7S5 cents |
competition of new wells apparently exerting |
some influence.
An April Easter. with smiles and frowns |