BUSINESS IS
Cheering Reports from Every Section
of the Country.
The Testimony of the
Behalf of
Democratic, Republican, and Independent Pa
pers Testify to Business Improvement.
liven the Calamity Shriekers Are Compelled to Admit a
' Better Condition.
The following statements, gathered
from recent Issues of daily and weekly
papers in all parts of the country, and
rAnrfxaontlnrf oil nrtllHroil lmrties. 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 the
public pulse through their army of re
porters, news gatherers and financial
students, are unanimous, Irrespective
-of politics. In the statement that busi
ness has Improved and is improving.
Sales Better than in 1892.
Very much more conclusive evidence of
tan Increased movement of merchandise
has been obtained for April by "Dun's
Review," which has secured statements
from 357 business houses representing all
parts of the country east of the Rocky
Mountains, and all lines of trade, cover
inn their sales in April, 1897, 1896 and
"1892. Some houses reported actual fig
ures and others only percentages, but the
groupings of both give very much the
same results. Assuming these replies to
be indicative of the business of the coun
try, the volnme of sales last month was
-only about 10 per cent less than in April,
1892, a year of more than usual pros
perity, and G per cent greater than in the
same month of 189G. In estimating the
value of this statement the decline in
prices mnst be considered. Since 1892
Sauerbeck's index figures show that the
decline has been a little under 10 per
cent; "Bradstreet's" index figures, con
fined to this country, make it nearly 13
per cent. In certain lines it has been
much heavier; "Dun's" states the decline
In iron at 33 per cent, woolens 30, 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 1892. Journal of Commerce
(Dem.).
impro
w A-geneiL. survey or ths business situa
tion for the past week affords good
grounds for encouragement. The water
is leaving the Mississippi bottom lands,
and it will be possible, after all, to raise
crops there. There is an improved de
mand for goody at most of the great West
ern distributing centers, in spite of the
unseasonable coolness of the weather.
' TW L t T. . . . . , i
Autre in a Deiter can ror iron anu sieei,
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
matters, be at all accurate, this desidera
tum may already be distinctly discernf I
-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 1897. 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 17,500 miles of new track as the
probable record for the present year.
Memphis Scimitar (Dem.).
Good Crop Prospects and 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 and climatic conditions, al
most invariably turns out well. The
Northwest this year 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 Feelinsr 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
vu nil a cuauge lur me ueuer comes is
sure 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 be the beneficiary
of the improvement in the financial and
industrial condition. Albany Journal.
Better Times at Least in Sight.
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, 1892, 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.).
w
Brightening on the Pacific Coast.
1 In spite of the occasional sneer of Pop
ocratic philosophers that the dawn of
prosperity is being strangely delayed, it
cannot be denied that tne trade situation
is brightening and that business is better
than in 1896. The exports of produce
irom tne umiea oiaes uui xar tms year
how an increase of $144,000,000 over the
same period in 1896, which is a gain
. 1 --T . fll 1 A 1 M 1 .
u riru uiiiiim'11 mm mm w ail i a 1 1 i n a a a it
IMPROVING.
Pres3 Is Unanimous in
This Fact.
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 States for a year,
taking this period as a whole. Under a
proper tariff we would not only enjoy the
profits arisinff from this large balance,
but those derived from a greatly stimulat
ed interna commerce as well. This fact
is well understood by business men, hence
their anxiety for the passage of a suitable
tariff bill. San Francisco Cail (Kep.j.
Hooefnl Feelinsr Among Merchants.
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 nrincinal cities east of the Rocky
Mountains averaged only about 10 per
cent less than in April, 1892, the year of
the largest business m our country s His
tory. Ret'-.rns of failures for April show
riMi-ns in number, amount and aver
juro 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
Stunt und the various State Ltfgisia
tnrAs thnt npr!at in remaining in session
and which operate as a serious disturb
ance to trade interests. Chicago
Herald and.).
ITv.n T!riin'a Or urn n Admits It
Every Democratic newspaper in the
l.md admits that business is improving,
and rejoices that it is so. Only organs
that support Republican administrations
rein! when American business is pros
trate. This statement is backed up by the
proof. If the Star doubts it, let it searcn
tht pditnHal nasres of its Republican con
rifts, berinninff about Jan. 1, 1893,
and ending promptly on Nov. 4, 1896.
Omaha World-Herald (Bryan Uemj.
Merchants Buying Goods.
The Tribune, in its last week's bulns
mercia! 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
proof that they had gauged the buying
ability of their respective constituencies
and were satisfied that they were fairly
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.
Vet it is true that one can easily draw
t)o 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 best trade outlook, and 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 very 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 local de
partment with Mr. W. L. Douglas, man
ager of Dun s agency in Macon. "The re
turn of prosperity," he says, "is 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. Macon (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 communities.
New York Commercial Advertiser (Rep.).
Return 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 Building Significant.
During 1896 the total number of miles
of new tracks laid by railroads in the
United States was but 1,802 miles, tne
lowest figure known for twenty years.
The record for the year 1895 was practi
cally the same, bringing to mind the situ
ation in 1875, when the country was just
recovering from a great panic, and the
unprecedentedly low figure of 1,711 miles
of new track was the record. Afterward
came a period of expansion, culminating
in 1887 with the unprecedentedly high
figure of 12,983 miles of new tract con
structed during that year, which was one
of great prosperity all over the country,
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 Stealing Upon the Country.
Is It possiblo that prosperity, has been
stealing upon the country unawares? For
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 J-vous strain: "Nearly all will be as
tonit" .J 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, 1892, the year of the larg
est business hitherto, and were 6 per cent
more than in the same month last year."
This fact, the Review goes on to say, is
especially encouraging In view, of the
great fall of prices within the past five
years. Memphis Tribune (Rep.),
More Work and More Wages.
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
1894 did the Chicago price exceed 65
cents and during most of the year it sold
around 55 cents: in 1895 the price was a
little better and in 1896 a little better still.
but nevertheless whe-eraged
S3 rents a bushel below the average price
of the five years previous to 1894. Now,
however, we seem entering upon an era
of higher grain prices. Philadelphia In
quirer (Rep.).
Visib'e on Every Hand.
Reviving prosperity is on every hand.
To be sure it is not coming with a rush
and in the nature of things could not be.
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 had been keeping
house with closed doors for long periods
would at once resume with full force. This
could hardly be, but within a brief time
after the election was over there had
been uch a noticeable revival and 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 Testimony from the South.
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 Press 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 Very Encouraging.
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
sumDtlon 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.).
Bradstreet's Reports 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
good;" in Duluth, since the opening or
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 I'lttsDurg
"there has been a steady Increase in the
volume of business;" in Providence, R. I.,
"cotton manufacturers who recently re
duced their output have again started on
full time and capacity."
Southern Democratic Confidence.
Week before last the Times-Union made
a comparison, for the preceding week of
1897 and the corresponding week of 1896,
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 bank clearances of the Southern
cities show a decrease in volume of only
$548,407, 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 $252,
130,821, or more than 25 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 positively 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.).
Tn.tl.1 C i '! ttfrgSTtSonndT
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, forinstance, as those
which until recently honeycombed the Iron
and steel trade from top 7o 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.).
The "Heart of Georsia" 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 confess
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. Macoa (Ga.) Tele
graph (Dem.).
Business Barometers - All Favorable.
,rhe return of proeperffy is what every
body is no tv 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 marked 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 befsre 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 tne inauguration
of McK-iniey snouia rememDer mat a
tariff bill cannot be framed and passed in
a day, or 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
and dealers to delay their orders until the
new rates are known.
Cheering 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 "Shoe Towns."
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 79,087 cases, against 83,254
cases last week, and 65,127 cases for the
corresponding week last year. Since Jan.
1, the shipments have been 866,826 cases.
against 702,799 last year; an Increase of
164,027 cases for the business of 1897.
Lynn (Mass.) Item (Ind.).
The Capital City Feels It.
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 shlf tings 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 this week reporting busi
ness to be impioving all over the country.
Washington Star and.).
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 hotgecrjiagiirba sraTtr.
TflrprTcei will loaow 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.). , ...
Climbing Slowly but Perceptibly.
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 1892 we were
upon a pinnacle whence we surveyed the
world and counted the greater part as
tributary to our prosperity. Ws 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, but nevertheless perceptibly.
Inter Ocean.
The Workmen Are Co-operating.
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 Slow 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 and Railroads Busy.
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
slew and steady growth that has been
characteristic of business ever since the
November election. Scranton (Pa.) Trib
une (Rep.).
""
Business Moves 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
trade last week showed an increase of
nearly half a million dollars over that of
the previous week. Times-Herald (Ind.),
FACTS FOR FARMERS.!
WHAT UNCLE SAM IS DOING IN1
THEIR BEHALF.
Showings as to What the Ag-rlcnltur-.
Ists Are Receiving and Paying; for.
What They Raise and Consume
Importations Flood the Country. .
Crisp Washington Chat.
Special Washington correspondence:
THE last sum,
naary of Finance and
Commerce, issued by,
the Treasury De
partment, contains
statistics and figures!
ffSV some of which will,
prove oi muca inier-(
est to farmers and;
hose connected
1th farm pursuits.'
tjZf it snows tne impon
products and the
amount of such com
modities that are be-
ilng brought into the
I country. Following,
are some of the'
things shown in it
pages: 1
The March Importations of wool In 1S9T
were 58.085.339 pounds, against 17,781,-.
547 pounds in March, 1S90, and against
only 3,488,415 pounds In the last March,
of the McKinley law. The importations
of rags, noils, etc., In March, 1897, was
5,400,461 pounds, against 1,504 pounds In.
the last March of the McKinley law.j
These quantities of free wool and snoaay;
now in stock here are not particularly
cheering to the growers of good American
wool, for It will be some months before
they can be absorbed by the country and
a place made for the home product. Toe
number of cattle Imported in March, 1897,
under the Wilson law was 50.800, wall
in March, 1S94, under the McKinley law
the number imported was 311. The num
ber of pounds of hides Imported In March,
1897. In view of the prospective duty on!
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, 1895, 1890 and 1897, under
the Wilson law was over 70,000 tons,'
averaging about three times as much as
was Imported in the last March of th
McKinley Jaw. The world, according to
this official report, is being raked over to'
find wool to be brought to this country.
before the new tariff'IaW goes into effect-'
The importations of wool during March,
1897, came from Austria-Hungary, Bel-,
trtttm, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy.
Portugal, Roumania, Baltic Russia,'
Spain, England, Scotland, Ireland, is ova
Scotia, the Black Sea ports, Dutch West
Indies, Argentine, Braiil, Chili, rru,'
Uruguay, Venezuela, China, British iast
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 tne
past year. Extracts from the table ars
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 tho
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 ths
consumer in this country.
Comparative Tables.
Table showing average values of com
modities of farm export in April, 1800,
and in March, 1897:
April. 1S00. April. 1837.
Wheat 70.7 81.2
Wheat flour, per bbl. .13.60 $4.12
tops 1.0 cents m.a rents
Pickled pork, per lb. .5.8 cents B.4 cents
OhcMe, per lb 9.2 csnts 10. fl cents
Lear tobacco T.4 csnts 7.0 cents
Table showing average prices in lor-
eign markets of commodities which fann
ers consume, in April, lblHJ, ana fliarcn.
1897:
April, 1808. April, 1897.
Cents. , Cnts.
Coffee 14-3 11.2
Cotton cloth, per yd.. 9.1 8.9
Pickled herrings, JD..3.W z.o
Mackerel, per lb 7.2 0.
Rpt lucir 2.4 1-7
Drass goods, per yd. 80.7 7.5
It will be seen from tne aDOve tnai in
selling price of practically everything
which the fanner has had to put upon tno
market has increased during the year and
that the buying price of things which h
consumes has decreased.
The State Department Is In receipt of a
communication from the United 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 th
country are cautioned accordingly.
Ths proposed duty on the quantity or,
rawhide which would be used in the man
ufacture of a pair of shoes Is estimated at
about 5 cents. Only about one-flftn, how
ever, of ths hides used in this country are
Imported, so that the increased cost of a
pair of shoes by reason of tha duty would
probably not d more man one or iw
cents. The average man probably uses
about three pairs of shoes per year. uoe
iinvhodv particularly object to payinaj
from three to six cents toward the sup
nnrt of the Government In its present
extremity, especially in view of the great
advantage accruing to the rarmerr
One Reason Gold Is Exported.
Tt ia but reasonable, with the importa
tions of foreign goods increasing so enor-
mrtnlv in anticipation or vne repeal oi
the Wilson low tariff rates and the en
actment of a protective tana, mat goja
xTorts have increased. The foreign
- . . . - A . A V
foods brOUgnt luio ine counirj uiui um
paid for in gold, and if such Importation
increase from ten to twenty millions a
month, it goes without saying that gold
exports must increase lomewntu oey
eral other reasons, notably the desire for
accumulations of gold in Europe by rea
son of war possibilities, show that thero
is nothing alarming in the exports of that
metal, and no ciuse for the note of alarm
being sounded by the silver advocates.
The quantity of gold money in 1873 was
$1,200,800,000, while in 1890 it was $3,
098,700,000, being In 1890 50 per cent
greater than the gold and silver money
combined in 1873.
Secretary Wilson's latest move is in
making a practical investigation to deter
mine sections of the country most adapt
ed to the production of the best quality,
of beet sugar. 4
..... ..J GEORGE MELVILLE, i