Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1903 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

~Z ... | R. G. Dun A Ox’s New York. Weekly Review of Trade + says: Aside from the reduction In blast furnace activity, manufacturing plants are more fully engaged, and several encouraging reports are received, particularly as to footwear. Wholesale and jobbing trade Is well maintained, many citiee reporting a larger volume than last year. Lateot returns of foreign commerce st this portare favorable, exports increasing, while imports docrease as compared with the same week last year. Rollway earnings thus far available for September exceed those of 1902 by 8.4 per cent and surplus earnings In 1901 by 19.3 per cent. It is practically certain that a reduction of pig iron output will be made, averaging about 20 per cent, and this concerted action to prevent accumulation of stocks has already had a sentimental effect on the market, inquiries increasing in number and extent of tonnage. The week has brought few changes in quotations. Oar shortage has begun to cause trouble, but the diminished needs of blast furnaces relieve the situation at Connellsville, where the coke output has been materially curtailed. ~ With practically six CniCaOO. day* devoted to the jcels* , a brstkm of the city’s firot centennial and the entertainment of several hundred thousand visitor* from all parts, It is characteristic of the energy and adaptability of the citizens to unusual happenings that the progress of business suffered no That the event chronicled was beneficial to trade is emphasised in an fnereased volume of sales both in leading retail lines and throughout the jobbing district. The promise of average crops at prices which compare favorably with previous years strengthens confidence in the future course of business generally, and western merchants are now found to be replenishing their ntock more freely. Mercantile discounts are taken more frequently and local and country collections show well. Grain shipments have exceeded ths 5,000,000 bushei mark. The markets record a large volume of sales, notwithstanding quieter demand for export and milling purposes. Cafih wheat is reported to be lessened, but other cereals are In ample supply. Compared wiih a week ago closing prices show wheat advanced 2% cents. Corn en further improvement of ths growing crop declined 1% cents, and oats weakened % cent. Live stock receipts, 31£j)S5 head, are 3 per cent over the corresponding week of last year. Except a decline of 5 cent* per hundred weight in hogs, prices are unchanged, notwithstanding unusually heavy arrivals. One day’s receipts of cattle, 44,445 head, exceeds the highest number hitherto recorded.

BradstrecVs Trad* Review. Bradstreet’s Weekly Review of Trade says: , Mixed trade and crop conditions still present themselves, although fwme improvement in tone is noted where crop estimates, as in the ease of corn, show expansion. Lower prices for cereals point the way to future large business, and induce a larger foreign interest in our farm products. Trade reports vary with sections considered, the best reports coming from the Southwest, the Northwest and the Pacific coast. A really favorable feature this week is the improvement of collections West and Northwest, the reflection of the beginning of the movement of delayed crops to market.