Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1887 — THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK. [ARTICLE]

THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK.

It Ib a Most Encouraging One, According to Reports from Leading Commercial Centers. No Apparent Bad Results frofn the Enforcement of the National Railway Law. [Chicago special.] The early spring trade in all branches of the wholesale business of Chicago was almost without a parallel in its history. The con sumption of goods was simply enormous. This was in a great measure attributed to the change to be made in railroad freight rates by the operation of the interstate commerce law, which went into effect early in April. Now that that time has passed and dealers throughout the country are beginning to understand the present cost of transportation, the immense demands for goods throughout the month of March turns out not to have been so spasmodic as it was then supposed to be, but a genuine revival of business throughout the West and Northwest, as there has been during the last three weeks and is now greater activity among the wholesale firms of this city than is usual at this season of the year. The new law acted as a check and nothing more. All through the country west of Chicago, even to the Pacific coast, the new law is a benefit to the Garden City, as it enables shippers to send goods to points they could not -cover before, as they were controlled by the jobbers in the interior towns. Thus Chicago is becoming more and more the base of supplies for the whole West and Northwest

There was, of course, a marked falling off in the dry-goods trade during last month as compared with March, which was a phenomenal one; but April more than held its own as against the same time last year, and the outloook for a late spring and summer demand is a very satisfactory one. A good volume of business was transacted all through the month by the millinery houses. There has never been so satisfactory a spring season, and it is closing earlier than usual. A good order trade is anticipated until the hot weather sets in. So far there is no fault whatever to be found with the situation. The condition of the wholesale grocery trade is very satisfactory, and it has been daily improving since April 10. There seems to be a boom through the country so far as trade is concerned, and the heavy volume of railroad work now in course of construction is in a great measure accountable for it. The opening of lake navigation has also given it an impetus, and, with collections good in all branches of trade, a feeling of satisfaction exists that has not been known for years. Business generally is being conducted on a conservative basis, and therein lies its strength. Dealers are buying in smaller quantities and oftener, and' hence they find it easier to pay for their goods. Telegraphic reports to the Chicago Tribune from leading trade centers in the West, Northwest, and Southwest are of one tenor. They all speak of an unparalleled revival of business. A dispatch from Milwaukee says: “A stroll among Milwaukee merchants and manufacturers will show the prevalence of contentment, mingled with a due allowance of hopefulness, regarding the present condition of the season’s prospects for business in the various branches. Comparatively little complaint is made regarding the interstate commerce law, so far as the matter of freights is concerned, and it»ppears to cut little or no figure in affecting trade.” St. Paul reports as follows: “Spring trade has generally opened up earlier than last year, owing to the favorable season, and the volume of business in all departments is reported to be larger than last year. The effect of the interstate law, which it was feared would prove a serious blow to Northwestern trade, has not been as disastrous as expected.” Omaha: “The merchants of this city report a large increase in their business over any former year. Some of them say it will run from 30 to 50 per cent, higher, especially in the grocery trade. Orders nave not only grown in numbers, but are double and even triple in size. This is due, they say, to the interstate commerce law, which has raised rates so that country store-keepers who heretofore made their big purchases in Chicago now get everything from Omaha. While sales are good, collections are also much better than usual for the time of year.” Denver: “There is a striking unanimity among the business men of Denver <in regard to their present trade, and this feeling extends to an agreement among them that they do not look for its continuance beyond a few weeks, or months at the outside. In comparison with last year, they estimate the increase variously from 20 to 50 per cent., the latter in special lines. Nearly every jobber is loud in condemning the present railroad tariffs as adjusted from a railroad standpoint to suit the provisions ■of the interstate commerce law.’ Kansas City: “Unless the present indications prove misleading the year 1887 will be marked by an unprecedented development of the commercial interests of Kansas City. The spring trade is satisfactory, and even more than satisfactory, as the surprising boom in business fairly takes away the breath of the most conservative business men. Jobbers in dry goods are to a certain .extent feeling the effects of the interstate commerce bill so far as it relates to long and short hauls. They get their goods in fairly good time, ’but are compelled to pay more freight than formerly. The increase, however, is not sufficient to injure the jobbing business of the city.” . St. Louis: “The volume of St. Louis’ spring business averages fully an increase of thirty per cent, over the three corresponding months of last year. Merchants are almost unanimous in their indorsement of the interstate commerce law.” New Orleans: “Nearly all lines of trade been more satisfactory this spring than for several seasons past. The interstate commerce law has not unfavorably affected -business.” Louisville: “Spring trade in Louisville •opened out with a steady feeling and firm demand for almost all classes of goods. Except in a few lines of specialties there has been no complaint on account of the interstate commerce law.” Cleveland: “Cleveland’s trade has some bad features about it, but on the whole there is very little drawback to the strong feeling that has existed for several months past. The dry-goods houses report busi-

ness as better by almost one-fifth this spring than last, and the trade of last year was the best ever known. They generally like the new law, as calculated to leave them what they term the local trade and prevent the competition of New fork and Chicago houses. Collections are very good.• Cincinnati: “Interviews with prominent merchants in various branches of business show conflicting statements in regard to the condition of spring trade in several lines. The dry goods men say that trade is better this spring than last, but it is not up to expectations. This has been the best spring the grocery men have had for several years. The furniture, hat and cap, and boot and shoe dealers all report a big spring business. More complaint is heard from the feed and grain men about the interstate law than any other class.” Detroit: “Barring serious labor troubles, the prospect for a good spring and summer trade in all lines of business is much better than for several previous seasons. While the interstate commerce bill is being roundly denounced, it does not seem to have had any appreciable ill effect on trade so far.”

Fort Worth, Texas: “Grocery men report a large increase in trade from* 1886. One house, doing a business of $3,000,000 per annum, reports an increase of 20 per cent Dry-goods and other merchants note a marked increase in trade. The indications are that the interstate commerce law will be the impetus to more railway building in Texas.”