Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1903 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

[Ney York.

“Despite the interruption of a holiday the week ha* brought increased activity

in many branches of business. An enupuraging symptom is the decreased bomplaint regarding collections, accompanied by more discounting of bills. Weather conditions have been favorable for retail trade, distribution of merchandise expanding, while there are frequent reports of larger jobbing fall business than last year. Some caution in selecting good* owing to high prices is reported at the West, but thia is chiefly confined to textiles. Labor disputes decrease, all but one of the unions having signed the agreement iu'the local building trades, and several other settlements have been effected through concessions by both sides," according to R. G. Dun & Co.’* Weekly Review of Trade. Continuing, the report says: Trade conditions are still uneven, but the general drift is toward improvement. A more assured feeling a* to the corn crop out turn is manifest, conditions is most States having improved since Sept. L State fairs and low-rate excursions have stimulated western distribution, while good prospects for corn, cotton, ric* and sugar ait the South have made fox cheerfulness in 'that section. Eastern trade advices are of less notable activity. • Railway earnings in August were 9.1 per cent larger than last year and 15.4 per cent greater than in 1901. Owing to the lateness of the crops there is little complaint of traffic congestion. At the West there ia more activity. -Notwithstanding heavy receipts of cattle, packers are asking fractionally higher % figures for hides. Prices of cotton goods are alow to reflect the reaction in the raw material, and the demand is not improved. On the contrary, buyers are encouraged to delay placing contracts and mills are not seeking business. In tht jobbing trade a. large distribution chandise is in progress, this branch of the industry reporting a profitable season.

■feicap -

The primary markets for principal food stuffs Show strength both in dealings

and prices, crop reports having had little jpßlverae effect on value*. Supplies are gajniog, but the buying keeps eteiady pace, with the foreign demand somewhat better, although not quite as looked for. Live stock receipts were 301,246 head, a 2 per cent gain over corresponding week of a year ago. There wa* strong bidding for choice beeves and shipper* increased their takings, without materially changing price*. The beat hoga made a moderate advance. Sheep came forward in large numbers and were disposed of at a slight decline. Hog product* were advanced sharply on wider domestic demand. Grain buying exhibited but slightly increased cash business, and there is little speculation noticeable in the pita. Prices moved within narrow faults, the coarse grains being strongest. Flour continue strongly upheld and several bids were accepted for the United Kingdom. Receipts of produce compared with corresponding week of last year show increase* a* follows: In butter, slightly; bogs, 5 per cent; sheep, 8; hides, 20; dressed beef, 25; flour, 50; wool, 60; com, 200, and lard, 225. Decreases are in cattle, 3 per cent; dheeee, 12; seeds, 28; wheat, 35; oats, 40; barley, 50; broom com, 75, and rye, 80. Bad weather is delaying thrashing and harvesting of spring wheat, and with continuance promises to be serions. Lack of competition in the Atlantic coast tobacco section keeps prices abnormally low. A good portion of the western and central western corn crop has been saved from possible damage from frost by eight days of favorable conditions. An increase of Chicago shipment* of wheat and flour to Europe is noted.