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BUSINESS IS IMPROVING.
Cheering Reports from Every Section
of the Country.
The Testimony of the Press Is Unanimous in
Behalf of This Fact.
Democratic, Republican, and Independent Pa
pers Testify to Business Improvement
Even the Calamity Shriekers Are Compelled to Admit a
Better Condition.
The following statements, gathered
from recent issues of daily ami weekly
papers in all parts of the country, and
representing nil political parties, relate
to the business condition in the United
States. They will repay a careful ex
amination. It will be seen that the
editors, who have their hand on ilie
public pulse through their army "f re
porters, news gatherers and financial
students, are unanimous, irrespective
of politics, in the statement that busi
ness has improved and is improving.
Fairs Better than in 181)2.
Very much more conclusive evidence of
n increased movement of merchandise
has been obtained for April by "Dun's
Review." which lias secured statements
from Xu business houses representing all
parts of the country east of the Rocky
Mountains, and all lines of trade, cover
ing their sales in April. 1S97. 1S9U and
1802. Some houses reported actual fig
ures and others only percentages, but the
groupings of both give very much the
Mime results. Assuming these replies to
be indicative of the business of the coun
try, the volume of sales last mouth was
only about 10 per cent less than in April.
1802, a year of more than usual pros
perity, and C per cent greater than in the
same month of 1S90. In estimating the
Talue of this statement the decline in'
prices must bo considered. Since 1892
Sauerbeck's index figures show that the
decline has been a little under 10 per
cent; "Bradstreet's" index figures, eon
fined to this country, make it nearly 13
per cent. In certain lines it has been
much heavier; "Dun's" states the decline
la iron at IZl per cent, woolens .'JO. wool
32, and cottons 21 per cent. If the vol
ume of transactions has fallen off only
10 per cent, the actual amount of mer
chandise handled must have been greater
than in 1S92. Journal of Commerce
(Deai.).
Improved Demand in the Went.
A general survey of the business situa
tion for the past week affords good
grounds for encouragement. The water
Is leaving the Mississippi bottom lauds,
and it will he possible, after all. to raise
crops tnere. there is an improved de-
grumbler. If we look below the surface
and study the custom house exhibits we
will see that the balance of trade has been
in favor of the United Stntes for a year,
taking this period as a whole. Under a
proper tariff we would not only enjoy the
profits arising from this large balance,
but those derived from a greatly stimulat
ed internal commerre as well. This fact
is well understood by business men. hence
their anxiety for the passage of a suitable
tariff bill. San Francisco Call (Hep.).
Hopeful Feellns Amnnc Merchant.
The feeling of optimism is most notice
able in domestic merchandising. It is a
fact that the actual sales in April by
leading houses in each line of business in
the principal cities east of the Rocky
Mountains averaged only about 10 per
cent less than in April. 1802. the year of
the largest business in our country's his
tory. Returns of failures for April show
a decrease in number, amount and aver
age of liabilities in almost every branch
of trade and in nearly all branches of
manufacture. The only clouds on the bus
iness horizon are the dilatory national
Senate and the various State Legisla
tures that persist in remaining in session
and which operate as a serious disturb
ance to trade interests. Chicago Tiuies
Ilcrald (Ind.).
Fven Irjran Orean Admit It.
Every Democratic newspaper in the
land admits that business is improving,
and rejoices that it is so. Only organs
that support Republican administrations
rejoice when American business is pros
trate. This statement is backed up by the
proof. If the Star doubts it. let it search
the editorial pages of its Republican con
temporaries, beginning about Jan. 1. 1893,
and ending promptly on Nov. 4. 1896.
Omaha World-Herald (Bryan Dem.).
Merchants 1'nyine Goods.
The Tribune, in its last week's business
article, gave a hint of the improved com
mercial conditions by quoting from a New
York paper a statement to the effect that
the city was filled with buyers from all
over the country. The summary of Dun's
reports indicates that the buyers were not
there merely to see the sights, but that
they actually bought, which is a good
tnand for goods at most of the great West- proof that they had gauged the buying
ern distributing centers, in spite of the ability of their respective constituencies
and were satisfied that they were fairly
unseasonable coolness of the weather.
There is a better call for iron and steel,
but production is still ahead of consump
tion. Boston Journal (Rep.).
Great Activity in Railway Building:-
If the disposition of railroads to extend
their mileage be an indication of a re
turn to prosperity, and if the statements
made by the Railway Age. the generally
accepted authority in regard to railroad
natters, be at all accurate, this desidera
tum may already be distinctly discerned
on the country's horizon.
The Age, in a recent issue, gives in tab
ulated form statistics of new mileage
either already in process of construction,
or expected to be constructed during the
year 1S97. The grand total represented
in this table suggests a genuine boom in
railroad building all over the country.
The total thus given reaches the startling
figure of 17,r00 miles of new track as the
probable record for the present year.
Memphis Scimitar (Dem.).
Good Crop ProspcctH nnd Good Prices.
The prospect is highly encouraging to
the Northwest. Of course, the crop is not
yet harvested, and will be subject to the
usual contingencies which sometimes blast
the hopes of the husbandman; but the
fact remains that a crop well started, with
favorable soil ami climatic conditions, al
most invariably turns out "well. The
Northwest this .ear faces the pleasing
probability of a good crop and good prices;
for it is hardly possible that even a phe
nomenal yield of spring wheat in this
section can force prices down to the old
low plane, with available supplies so near
ly exhausted and the probability of a less
than average crop in the rest of the
world. Minneapolis Tribune (Rep.).
Farmers Feelims the Improvement.
In all of the different classes of indus
try in the United States, then, the person
who has the stick-to-it-iveness to hang
on till a change for the better comes is
sur- to be the one to first regain his lost
resources. This change has set in and as
it develops the farmer who has not closed
out his business will Ik? the beneficiary
of the improvement in the financial and
industrial condition. Albany Journal.
Better Times nt Leaat in Pijcht.
The report made by R. G. Dun & Co.'s
trade review, showing an activity in le
gitimate business transactions during the
past month, little short of that during
April, 1S92. the year of the largest busi
ness, emphasizes the cheerfulness of the
present business outlook and points to the
conclusion that the good times which have
been predicted through many weary
months of waiting are at least in sight.
Memphis Scimitar (Dem.).
Brichtcnins on the Pacific Coast.
In spite of the occasional sneer of I'op
ocratic philosophers that the dawn of
prosperity is being strangely delayed, it
cannot be denied that the trade situation
is brightening and that business is better
than in 189(5. The exports of produce
from the United States thus far this year
show an increase of $144,000,000 over the
same period in 1890, which is a gain
large enough to satisfy the most exacting
prosperous. Such facts as these speak
louder than the most elaborate theorizing
on the part of calamity howlers. Minne
apolis Tribune (Rep.).
"Beyond All Question."
Beyond all question, general business is
improving. We have this week more de
cided indications of the progress made.
Yet it is true that one can easily draw
too broad a conclusion from the more
manifest evidences. Buyers, for instance,
are seen to have increased in number in
all our markets, but their purchases still
show great conservatism, supplying only
immediate wants. Current production in
the dry goods trade is believed to be fully
absorbed now. but the old accumulations
have not been drawn down much yet.
Probably the lest trade outlook, aud by
far the most promising conditions, prevail
in the iron industry. Prices of steel and
iron in all their forms are now so low
that they could hardly be expected to go
lower, while the demand for export of
rails, billets and pig helps the home mar
ket. The Iron Age says that the hope
ful feeling in the iron trade is spreading,
and in those departments which are close
to the raw material moderate advances
are being recorded. It adds that the total
tonnage placed thus far must be heavy
when it is considered "that verv large or
ders were booked during the halcyon
days of the billet pool, and that now this
has been swelled by the volume of busi
ness done in track material." Financial
Chronicle (Ind.).
The Sonth Responds with Good Cheer.
The Chronicle's statements bear out.
the facts presented to our readers yes
terday in an interview in our localde
partment with Mr. W. L. Douglas, man
ager of Dun's agency in Macon. "The re
turn of prosperity," he says, "i8 visible
on all sides. Wholesale dealers in nearly
all lines are all reporting an increase of
business over last year. All
houses dealing direct with the farmer will
tell you that collections were better last
fall than for a long time prior to that.
Right here in Macon business appears
more substantial and in healthier condi
tion than could seriously have been ex
pected some months ago."
In view of the deliberate and determin
ed efforts being made to discourage the
people: and worse, to involve the country
in war with more than one foreign pow
er, these reports, from the highest au
thorities, are exceedingly hopeful and en
couraging. Macou (Ga.) Telegraph
(Dem.).
The East Feels It, Too.
In spite of the disturbing effects of the
10-cent decision in the Trans-Missouri
Traffic Association case, there are many
encouraging features in the business sit
uation. Business failures are steadily
decreasing in number, while the advices
of the mercantile agencies disclose a no
table increase in the number of industrial
plants now in active operation. Over
100.000 more men. according to the Penn
sylvania labor bureau, are at work in
that State to-day than there were six
months ago. and a corresponding improve
ment in the demand for labor has un
doubtedly taken place in New England
and other manufacturing eoninumities.
New York Commercial Advertiser (Rep.).
Retnrn of "McKinley Times.
The week just closed witnessed a steady
continuance of the favorable trade con
ditions which were noted last week. The
break in the steel rail pool seems to have
been the signal for a general awakening
in all lines of productive activity. The
optimistic feeling in trade is not based on
mere rumors of promised resumptions of
business, but is founded on actual book
ings of large orders. Times-Herald
(Ind.).
Railroad Bnildina: Sismif cant.
During 1S96 the total number of miles
of new tracks laid by railroads in the
United States was but 1.802 miles, the
lowest figure known for twenty, years.
The record for the year 1893 was practi
cally the same, bringing to mind the situ
ation in 1S75, when the country was just
recovering from a great panic, nnd the
unprecedentedly low figure of 1,711 miles
of new track was the record. Afterward
came a period of expansion, culminating
in 1SS7 with the unprecedentedly high
figure of 12.9S3 miles of new track con
structed during that year, which was one
or great prosperity all over me coumrj.
a prosperity which continued for several
successive years. And now comes the
Railway Age and predicts an immense
increase in railway building in 1S97 over
the banner year in the history of railway
construction in this country. Memphis
Scimitar (Dem.).
Prosperity tenlinc Upon theConntry.
Is it possible that prosperity, has been
stealing upon the country unawares? Tor
many weeks past the reports of the com
mercial agencies, though at times hopeful,
have been on the whole pervaded by a
lugubrious tone; but in their last week's
review Dun & Co. break into the follow
ing joyous strain: "Nearly all will be as
tonished to learn that actual sales in
April by leading business houses in the
principal cities east of the Rocky Moun
tains average only about 10 per cent less
than in April, 1S92, the year of the larg
est business hitherto, and were 0 per cent
more than in the same month last year."
This fact, the" Review goes on to say, is
esjtecially encouraging in view of the
great fall of prices within the past five
years. Memphis Tribune (Rep.).
More Work and More Waws.
The daily announcements of the re
sumption of operations at mills and fac
tories tell the story of a steadily expand
ing volume of trade. The movement is
progressing and more workmen were em
ployed last week and the amount paid out
in wages was larger than at any time
since the election. It is undeniable that
the situation is steadily improving and it
is satisfactory to note that the underlying
conditions which must sustain this im
provement give promise of continuing.
One of the main causes of the protracted
prostration we have endured has been
the low price of wheat. In no month of
1S94 did the Chicago price exceed 63
cents and during most of the year it sold
around 53 cents; in 1S93 the price was a
little better and in 1S90 a little better still,
but nevertheless wheat has averaged fully
15 cents a bushel below the average price
of the five years previous to 1S04. Now,
however, we seem entering upon an era
of higher grain prices. Philadelphia In
quirer (Rep.).
Vinib'e on Kvery Band.
Reviving prosperity is on every hand.
To be sure it is not coming with a rush
and in the nature of things could not he.
But there are reasons for believing that
the American people are gathering fresh
strength and that confidence so sorely
tried of late years. The many mills and
Industries of all kinds that have so severe
ly felt the shocks of incompetent tariffs
and vociferous demands for besmirching
the national honor, have taken fresh heart
since the memorable verdict of the people
of last November. There were those who
in view of the campaign talk had the idea
that after election business would boom at
once and industries that nau been keeping
house with closed doors for long periods
would at once resume with full force. This
could hnrdly be, but within a brief time
after the election was over there had
been such a noticeable revival nnd so
many men had found employment that
campaign pledges were fully kept in ev
ery sense of the word. Business is gath
ering strength with every passing week.
Racine Journal.
More Testitnonv from the Sonth.
Augusta people have very little reason
to complain of a lack of prosperity just
at this juncture. The advance agent has
surely been here and left his card. As
we understand prosperity, it is when there
is sufficient employment to keep every
body making a few dollars in order that
they can purchase the good things of life.
In another month or so there should not
be a workingman in the city out of em
ployment, providing, of course, that the
individual does not belong to the "sons
of rest." There is a vast amount of work
on hand, which must benefit all classes
and conditions of people. When the la
boring man has employment he gets
money to spend and that money circulates
through the different channels of trade
until everybody has been benefited in
some way or other. Treat the advance
agent hospitably that he may decide to
locate old General Prosperity in this
neighborhood. Augusta (Ga.) News
(Dem.).
The Silver Prc Admits It.
The Kansas City Star says that the
"Bryanite newspapers persist in reiter
ating the statement that business is not
improving, and that idleness is increas
ing." Perhaps the Star means Democratic
newspapers. If it does, it makes a mis
statement when it says that they are re
iterating the statement that business is
not improving. They know that business
is improving. It always does in the
spring. That is historic. When you hear
an administration organ whining about
the Democratic newspapers pulling back
in the shafts you are listening to a siren
song to distract your attention from con
ditions. Of course business is improving.
Omaha World-Herald (Silver Dem.).
Reports Wry I'nron'-ncinij.
Reports of the commercial situation
made up to the close of last week are
very encouraging. "No genuine or lasting
improvement," says "Dun's Review,"
could come otherwise than slowly and
step by step, after such a depression as
the past four years have witnessed, and
the most hopeful feature of the situation
is that the gain is so nearly devoid of ele
ments which involve unsoundness and
probable reaction." These reports show
a large increase in sales of wool, an ad
vance In the price of cotton, and the re
sumption of more mills which use cotton
and wool. Additional boot and shoe fac
tories have resumed operations, though
taking orders at very low prices. The
tone of the commercial reports from near
ly every department of business is reas
suring. There is need of patience, how
ever, better times are coming, but by easy
marches. Brooklyn Standard-Union
(Rep.).
Bradatreet Report Favorable.
In spite of the fact that the pendency
of a tariff bill always unsettles trade and
manufacturing, the reports from the vari
ous parts of the country are very encour
aging. Advices from all sections, espe
cially the Mississippi valley and the East
ern States, show improved business condi
tions. Reports to Bradstreet's on May 1
state that in Seattle "trade is good and
shows an improvement over April of last
year;" in'San' Francisco "the retail trade
is reported as fairly good;" in Nashville
"the local retail trade is somewhat im
proved;" in Augusta "the retail trade is
reported good;" in St. Paul "trade con
tinues good in all lines in which the busy
season is not over, and collections are also
goou-;" in Duluth. since the opening of
navigation, there has been some improve
ment in general business;" in Milwaukee
"the amount of business transacted is re
ported of fair proportions, with prospects
better and collections slightly easier:" in
St. Louis "general trade shows a slight
improvement, and collections are good:"
in Louisville "a steady seasonable trade
is reported by jobbers in nearly all lines,
and collections are fairly good:" in Chi
cago "general trade situation is improv
ed slightly;" in Baltimore "the outlook for
the fall is encouraging:" in Pittsburg
"there has been a steady increase in the
volume of business;" in Providence. R. L,
"cotton manufacturers who recently re
duced their output have again started on
full time and capacity."
Ponth"rn Iemocrotsc Confidence.
Week before last the Times-Union made
a comparison, for the preceding week of
1S97 and the corresponding week of 1S00.
of the bank clearances of the eighty-seven
principal commercial cities of the country,
and this comparison showed that the vol
ume of bank clearances of the Southern
cities had increased 4.9 per cent, while
that of the Northern cities had decreased
2.9 per cent. Saturday's number of Dun's
Review published the bank clearances of
the fourteen leading commercial cities.
The hank clearances of the Southern
cities show a decrease in volume of only
$54S,407. or less than 1 per cent, from
those of the prosperous year 1892. The
volume of bank clearances of the North
ern cities, however, shows a loss of $232.
130.821, or more than 23 per cent. This
is the record of only one week, and only
fourteen cities. It is but a straw, but
when all straws point in one direction
they show tositiveIy how the wind is
blowing. Every indication shows well for
the South. If we may judge by bank
clearances, the Southern cities referred
to have practically recovered from the
panic Florida Times-Union (Dem.).
Indntria1 Condition Sonnd.
The New York Commercial Advertiser,
in its review of the markets, contends
that "the industrial conditions of the
country are sound." for everywhere pro
duction is restricted to an amount com
mensurate with the demands for consump
tion, and with few exceptions stocks are
not being increased. On the contrary,
in many cases consumption appears to be
gaining on production. Another favora
ble sign is the absence of any great trade
combinations, such, for instance, as those
which until recently honeycombed the iron
and steel trade from top to bottom. These
have gone, and trusts in other lines must
go out of business under the Supreme
Court's decision in the Trans-Missouri
case, leaving all markets free and open.
The consumer is getting, and will con
tinue to get. the benefit of cheap iron ore,
cheap transportation and cheap raw ma
terials of all kinds. These changes place
the manufacturer in a position to supply
a cheap product and still realize a profit.
Minneapolis Tribune (Rep.).
and dealers to delay their orders until the
new rates are known.
The "Heart of Georgia" Responds.
The figures which we herewith publish
are of the greatest importance, as show
ing the vastly improved conditions in the
heart of Georgia. We are quite sure that
the southern belt of counties can make
quite as good a showing. Mr. Douglas
does "not care to pose as an optimist,
but." he says, "figures speak for them
selves, and the conditions surrounding
us cannot be denied and should not be
misunderstood." He is free to coness
that we are not in the midst of a business
boom, nor do we want anything of that
kind, "but unless all indications under
my observation are misleading, we are
once more on a level with a slow but
steady improvement." Nothing stands so
much in the way of business just now as
the calamity howling press, and the war
cry of the Senate. Macon (Ga.) Tele
graph (Dem.).
Rnsincps Horometers All Favorable.
The return of prosperity is what every
body is now looking for. and there are
few better indications of this return from
a local standpoint than the appearance
from day to day of the hotel registers. The
wholesale houses in the larger cities never
send out their commercial travelers until
they are satisfied that the retail dealers
want goods, and in stringent times retail
merchants do not purchase more goods
'than they are hopeful of selling. For sev
eral weeks past a member of The Leader
staff who calls at each of the local hotels
daily has noticed a perceptible increase
in the arrivals. Hotel registers, while a
good criterion in the matter of business
prosperity, are not the only indications. It
is noticeable that railroad travel to Lex
ington is daily increasing. Lexington
(Ky.) Leader.
More democratic Testimony.
The Washington Post (Dem.) certifies
to a maiked business improvement al
ready. It says: "It is an undeniable fact
that there has been a great improvement
in business since the election," and adds
that the people who expect complete re
vival of business before the tariff rates
and schedules are settled are "insanely
optimistic." Doubt as to tariff schedules,
it says, "is always demoralizing to man
ufacturers." People who are complain
ing that business does not revive as rap
idly as expected since the inauguration
of McKinley should remember that a
tariff bill cannot be framed and passed in
a day. cr a month, and that nothing so un
settles the business of the country as
pending tariff legislation. The pendency
of a measure affecting imports and duties
upon many thousands of articles, must
lead manufacturers to delay production
Cheerlnc News for Farmers.
The Department of Agriculture is re
ceiving very gratifying reports from the
farming community. The continuation
of high prices for wheat, the unusual
foreign demand for corn and the activity
among farmers in preparing to make an
earnest experiment in the production of
sugar beets, combine to make the condi
tion among that class of population un
usually healthful and encouraging. "Dol
lar wheat," for which farmers had scarce
ly dared to hope, was coincident with the
incoming of McKinley. while the extraor
dinary demand for their corn adds to their
general encouragement. Coupled with
this comes the activity and interest felt
in the experiments which.are to be made
in all parts of the country in the produc
tion of our own sugar, and it is apparent
that the farming community is not only
feeling the return of prosperity, but is
occupying its mind with cheerful
thoughts.
Good News from the "hn Tnwtn."
Most of the shoe factories are now fair
ly well employed, and manufacturers evi
dently have confidence that the improve
ment in business is to increase, as they
are buying supplies more freely. The
prices of footwear show little change,
but the advance asked is more cheerfully
paid by the jobbers. The sales of leather
show an increase, and values are main
tained. The local manufacturers of mo
rocco report an increased trade, and on
some grades the demand is lively. Shoe
shipments hold up well. The forwardings
from Boston the past week, according to
the footings of the Shoe and Leather Re
porter, were 79.0S7 eases, against $.".234
cases last week, and (53.127 case for the
corresponding week last year. Since Jan.
1. the shipments have been $;i;.S2; eases,
against 702.799 last year: an increase of
1M.0J cases for the business of 1897.
Lynn (Mass.) Item (Ind.).
The Capital City Fe-a tt.
A reading of The Star's weekly review
of the real estate situation, printed to
day, indicates how steadily progressive
is the return of prosperity to this city.
There has been no sudden and unstable
"boom" in values or in building opera
tions and hence what has been accom
plished has been with a greater guaran
tee of permanence. The stuffings of cap
ital have all been inspired, it would seem,
by a feeling of faith in the ultimate re
covery of not only the city but the entire
country from the depression that has been
so marked for nearly four years. In con
firmation of this view of the general sit
uation it is to be noted that the commer
cial agencies are fhis week reporting busi
ness to be improving all over the country.
Washington Star (Ind.).
-The Western Farmer Prospering.
For the past several days The Call has
been publishing a series of exclusive fruit
crop reports, both from the East and
California. They tell the story. They
show that the home crop will be scanty.
Good prices will follow as a natural re
sult, and millions of Eastern money will
probably flow into California pockets later
on. And as prices for wheat bid fair to
keep up to a profitable plane it is safe to
say that the California farmer will do
better this year than for some years back.
When the farmer prospers the rest of the
community flourishes; hence if present in
dications are realized we ought to enjoy
increased mercantile activity during the
rest of the year. San Francisco Call
(Rep.).
Climbine Slowly bnt Pcrcept'lily.
It is the old story of slowly climbing
a very steep hill. "Though steadily in
creasing," says Dun's Review, "business
still is much below its volume in former
years of prosperity." In 1S92 we were
upon a pinnacle whence we surveyed the
world and counted the greater part as
tributary to our prosperity. We made
one stupendous blunder, and almost in
stantly fell into a slough of despondency
and adversity. It will take time and
labor and favorable .circumstance to re
gain our former position of supremacy.
But we are climbing upward, slowly, it
is true, bnt nevertheless perceptibly.
Inter Ocean.
FACTS FOR FAEMEBSJ
WHAT UNCLE SAM IS DOING IN
THEIR BEHALF.
Show'ag as to What the Asricaltnr
lata Are Receiving and Faying; for
What They Raise and Costume
Importations Flood the Coantry.
Cr'mn Washington Chat.
Special WnHblugton correspondence:
II E last sum
mary of Finance ami
Commerce, issued by
the Treasury De
partment, contains
statistics and figures
some of which will
prove of much inter
est to farmers ami
those connected
with farm pursuits.
It shows the imports
and exports of farm
products and tho
amount of such com-
.Xffc.-NJ-"-"...-Arl
fSSt
Tt?mV"i!iFm- 4 ' modifies that are be-
SWTO ins brought into the
UTilW llU :re some of the-
Th Workmen Are Cn-opcrntinsr.
More men are employed about Pittsburg
at present than have been the past year.
Despite the depression in prices, owing
to the dissolution of manufacturers and
jobbers' organizations, each seems to bend
more earnestly to the task of doing its
share to improve conditions. Never in
the history of labor have the workmen
been so reasonable. The iron and steel
industry have had their share of pros
perity and gloom. Investors and manu
facturers are confident that times will im
prove. Pittsburg Gazette (Ind.).
Improvement Plow but Gradual.
From the commercial point of view the
State is evidently working into better
shape. This does not appear so much on
the surface as in the undercurrent. It
is too gradual to be observed by the gen
eral run of people. But that there is a
real improvement in the situation is ap
parent to those whose business interests
lead them closest to the center of trade
activity. San Francisco Call (Rep.).
Factories ttn-i Rnilro-cfa ftnar.
The news which comes of the reopening
of factories in different parts of the coun
try is a certain sign of the approach of
better times. It is evident that the num
ber of wage earners is steadily increasing.
Sales of stocks are growing, and prices
are firmly maintained. At last there is a
sign that railroad earnings, which have
been down to low figures for the past
twelve months, are on the upward turn.
Globe-Democrat (Rep.).
A Steady Improvement.
The business situation as shown by
current reports is certainly encouraging.
As an exchange remarks, though circum
stances were against any decided improve
ments in general business last week, still
there was a noticeable continuation of the
slow and steady growth that has been
characteristic of business ever since the
November election. Scranton (Pa.) Trib
une (Rep.).
Business Move Forward.
The evidences of improvement in trade
prospects are undeniable, notwithstand
ing the popular uncertainty as to what
the markets will demand after the tariff
rates have been established. The export
things sliowu in its
paces:
The March importations of wool in 1S97
were 5S.0S3.:Ki9 pounds, against 17.7S1.
347 pounds in March. 1890. and against
only .'I.-1SS.413 pounds in the last March
of the McKinley law. The importations
of rags, noils, etc.. in March. 1897. was
3.40(1.401 pounds, against 1.304 pounds in
the last March of the McKinley law.
These quant it cs of free wool and shoddy
now in stock here are not particularly
cheering to the growers of good American
wool, for it will be some months before
they can lie absorbed by the country sndT
a place made for the home product. Tho
number of cattle imported in March. 1S97.
under the Wilson law was 30.800. while
in March. 1SJM. under the McKinley law
the number imported was oil. The num
ber of pounds of hides imported in March..
1897. in view of the prospective duty or
hides, was two and a half times as much
as in March of the last year of the Mc
Kinley law. amounting to nearly three
million dollars in value. The hay import
ed in March, 1S93. 1890 and 1897. under
the Wilson law was over 70.000 tons,
averaging about three times as much as
was iniMirted in the last March of tho
McKinley law. The world, according to
this official report, is lieing raked over to.
find wool to be brought to this country
before the new tariff law goes into effect.
The importations of wool during March.
1S97, came from Austria-Hungary. Bel
gium. Denmark. France, Germany. Italy.
Portugal, Roumauia. Baltic Russia.
Spain. England. Scotland, Ireland. Nova
Scotia, the Black Sea ports, Dutch West
Indies. Argentine, Brazil, Chili, Peru.
Uruguay. Venezuela. China. British East
Indies, Asiatic Russia, Turkey in Asia.
British Australia. British Africa. Egypt.
This is a pretty fair showing.
Among other things this summary pre
sents a table of especial interest to agri
culturists. It shows the monthly average
prices of the principal articles of merchan
dise imported and exported during tho
past year. Extracts from the table are
given below, the exports representing
their market value at the date of expor
tation, while the imported articles repre
sent their values in foreign markets. This
latter fact should be born in mind con
stantly in examining the comparative fig
ures as the prices of imported articles ap
pear low, until it is remembered that the
values given relate to the prices in foreign
markets, and do not include the amounts
added, for freight, tariff, handling and
dealers profits, before they reach tha
consumer in this country.
Comparative Tab'es.
Table showing average values of com
modities of farm export in April. 1890,
and in March, 1897:
April. 1S0G. Apr!!. 1S0T.
Wheat 70.7 M.2
Wheat flour, per 1)1)1. .?::.(H1 $-1.12
Hops 7.." rents lo.S cents
Pickled pork, per It. .M cents .V4 cents
Cheese, peril) lM cents 10. cents
Leaf tobuccf 7.4 cents 7.1 cents
lable showing average prices in for
eign markets of commodities which farm
ers consume, in April, 1890, and March.
1897:
April. 1SIW. April. IS97.
Cents. . Cents.
Coffee 14.X 11."
Cotton cloth, pel yd..!.l S.'.t
Pickled herring. Ib...V. 'J.5
Mackerel, per II .'2 r.
lleet sugar ".I 1.7
Iress goods, per yd.hli.7
It will be seen from the above that tho
selling price of practically everything;
which the farmer has had to put tion tho
market has increased during the year and
that the buying price of things which ho
consumes lias decreased.
The State Department is in receipt of a
communication from the I'nited States
consul at Odessa. Russia, to the effect
that large quantities of Russian wool of
inferior quality are being shipped to this
country and the manufacturers of tho
country are cautioned accordingly.
The proposed duty on the quantity of
rawhide which would be used in the man
ufacture of a pair of shoes is estimated at
about 3 cents. Only about one-fifth, how
ever, of the hides used in this country aro
imported, so that the increased cost of a
pair of shoes by reason of the duty would
probably not be more than one or two
cents. The average man probably uses
about three pairs of shoes per year. Does
anybody particularly object to paying;
from three to six cents toward the sup
port of the Government in its present
extremity, especially in view of the great
advantage accruing to the fanner?
One Reason (Sold 1h Exported.
It is but reasonable, with the importa
tions of foreign goods increasing so enor
mously in anticipation of the repeal of
the Wilson low tariff rates and the en
actment of a protective tariff, that gold
exports have increased. The foreign
goods brought into the country must b
paid for m gold, am! it sucn importations
increase from ten to twenty millions a
mouth. ":t goes without saying that gold
exports must increase somewhat. Sev
eral other reasons, notably the desire for
accumulations of gold in Europe by rea
son of war possibilities, show that there
is nothing alarming in the exports of that
metal, and no cause for the note of alarm
being sounded by the silver advocates.
The quantity of gold money in 1S7. was
$1.209.8'O.000, while in 189f it was $."'.
G98.7 10.000. being in 1S9 30 per cent
greater than the gold and silver money
combined in 1S7.-'.
Secretary Wilson's latest move is ia
making a practical investigation to deter
mine sections of the country most adapt-
trade last week snowed an increase of ed to the production of the best quality
neurit uau u wnuiou uoiiurs over mar. or I of beet sugar.
the previous week. Times-Herald (Ind.). I GEORGE MELVILLE.
icrMvcrlailf I TCsuianoDtsairapancs. 'were suruuucu i
m 4iui M.ufb wm"i .w. . "JVL" f