Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1903 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Hew York.

Telegraphic reports te , the International Mercantile Agency regarding the

more important changes and features of the week are summarized as follows: Kentucky tobacco will- grade better than last year. It will amount to twothirds of an average crop. The most significant industrial feature lies iu reduction of wages of 30,000 bar iron workers and announcement of intended action with reference to 100,000 machinists. Loss from strikes this year is .over $600,000,000, quite in excess of last year. General trade is most active in the central and southwestern States. Cleveland says it is unprecedented in dry goods and clothing and prosperous in all leading lines. Chicago reports very active distribution iu seasonable lines with trade taking advantage of discounts. A heavy movement is conspicuous at St. Louis and throughout die States tributary to that city, which extends to all staple lines. The freight car congestion caused by pressure of general traffic centering at St. Louis is being generally raised. *

Dun’s Review of ChiCniCdQO. c * go Tr#de - Issued by R. * ~ G. Dun & Co., the mercantile agency, says:

“Aside from the temporary disquiet engendered by pessimistic views of the dangerous position of the corn crop from frost, trade activity maintains a favorable aspect. The industrial situation is less affected by labor troubles and manufacturers are enabled to overtake delayed work, though many yet require more time to reduce the number of old contracts on band. Necessary fuel and raw materials are more readily obtained than at this time last year, and the capacity of plants is fully tested in various important lines of production. Deliveries are more reasonably prompt, but the railroads are not yet clear of the probability of congestion. The traffic in merchandise and heavy materials maintains enormous proportion*, rail earnings show more gain, aud there is unusual passenger carrying to the Pacific and new settlement* throughout the West. “The current demand for food stuffs shows more volume. Bread stuffs have not advanced permanently, ns might have been expected in view of widespread alarm as to safety of crops. Value* were forced up, but failed to hold at the top, owing to enormous sale* of leading operators, except oats, which appear to be under manipulation. Prices closed lower than a week ago, in corn % cent and wheat % cent. Gat* were advanced 3 cents. Flour met with better demand and shipments on foreign account wero increased. “Live stock receipts, 343,057 head, are 33 per cent over a year ago. One day’s receipts of cattle reached 41,903 head, tha largest number recorded in this market. Buying was spirited and prices advanced 15 cents per hundred weight for choice beeves. Hogs were in good demand at the highest quotation in four weeks. The sheep pens w ere well equipped at slightly advanced values. Sales of provisions exhibit increase, demand being well distributed in domestic and foreign needs. Prices of all hog products are fairly steady, with ribs 30 cents dearer for the week. Receipts increase in dressed beef slightly, seinls 7 per cent, wheat 8, butter and hogs 13. lard 18, flour 34, cattle 35, hides 41, barley 49, sheep 55, wool 70 and com 295. Decreases are cheese 6 per tent, oats 32, broom corn <SO and rye 76. “Bank exchanges, $171,365,758, represent the heaviest business iu over two months, and are 7 per cent more than for corresponding week a year ago. New buildings, $180,409, decreased 30 per cent, and real estate sales, $2,158,545, declined 6 per cent.”