Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1903 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

—T*|i “Weather conditions and Hev iOrK. fl le labor situation are the —— dominant influences, in the business world. Unseasonably high temperature at many points, especially in the East, stimulated retail trade in wearing apparel and other summer merchandise to an unusual degree, but bad a most unsatisfactory effect upon vegetation, which was promptly reflected in diminished orders for supplies, nnd iu some cases there were cancellations. More conservatism was also shown at tlie interior, where agricultural progress met with check, and, while no serious injury to the great staple crops is yet reported, the delay to planting induces caution' among dealers,” according to R. G. Dun & Co.’s Weekly Review of Trade Continuing, the report sayr: On the whole there are fewer wage earners voluntarily idle^yet the spirit of unrest has caused the abandonment of some new enttrprises nnd postponement of others, which means less demand for structural materials and labor. Payments are also less prompt, time often being asked where formerly cash transactions for a slight discount were the rule. Aside from these tw# adverse factors the trade situation is favorable, and with average weather and industrial peace there is every prospect of continued prosperity throughout the country. Manufacturing plants are generally well occupied, especially in footwear, iron and steel. Traffic on the railways is heavy, earnings thus far reported for May exceeding last year’s by 13.0 per cent and surpassing 1901 by 25.7 per cent. Readjustment in prices of iron and steel continues, the market gradually resuming normal conditions. There is no evidence .of diminished activity as yet, and in many cases prompt deliveries are urged. but ns the increased capacity brings plants nearer their orders buyers are naturally less eager to place contracts. The fact that some concessions have been made in quotations tends to postpone business, prospective buyers waiting for still more favorable terms. Advances of about 5 per cent in wide sheetings indicate that the cotton goods market is beginning to respond to tbe higher raw material. A still more,encouraging sign is the greater interest displayed by purchasers. Warm leather stimulates activity in wash goiras for quick delivery. Print cloths are firmer, and while there is no demand for regulars. odd goods are sought freely. Reduced output of worsteds has strengthened the tone, and the recent advanced prices for carpets have not prevented large .transactions. Failures this week are 191 jn tho United States, against 192 last year, and J 4 in Canada, compared with 12 a year ago. Bradalreet’a Trade Review. While underlying conditions have improved as a whole, there is itiil room for betterment in weather, crop and labor matters. Railway earnings are as good as ever reported. Gross receipts .for the first half of May indicate a 14 per cent increase over last year, while net returns for March show the significant increase of 1(1 per cent in iff-t on a corresponding increase in grosz. Some of the less favorably situated trades are lumber,, which notes the effect of the building trade labor troubles; silk manufacturing at Paterson, which is slack at present, and men's wear woolens, which are still halting as regards fall orders. Wheat, including flour, exports for the week ending May 21 aggregate 5.293.373 bushel?, against 4,097,590 last week, 5.184,839 ,tliis week last year nnd 4.790,084 in 1904., Wheat exports since July 1 aggregate 200.894,132 bushels, against 229,524,201 last season and 189,718.025 in 1900. Corn exports aggregate 1,814,18(5 bushels, against 1.431.257 last week, 00,9ti0 a year ago and 2,204.902 in 1901. For the fiscal year exports are (50,257.102 bushels, against 25.829,119 last season and 163,131,7(54 in 1901.