Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1903 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

| „ „ . I B. G. Don & Co.’s NeV IOTL Weekly Reriew of Trad* ■ii ■ ■■ says: Unseasonably mild weather is making it possible for farmers to secure much late grain and cotton that seemed doomed by early frost, but on the other hand trade is dull in heavy wearing apparel, fuel and many lines that should now be' vigorous. While in the long run this business may be made up and the nation will be benefited by the increased crops, the immediate- effect is unfavorable. Manufacturing activity has increased at cotton mills and several minor industries, but in iron and steel there are more idle furnaces aud mills. Building permits are decreasing, and structural'’ work is not prosecuted with the vigor that was seen last year. Lumber is firm, despite the moderate demand. The railways continue prosperous, earnings for October surpassing last year’s by &2 per cent Disappointment has been experienced by those who believed that quotations for iron and 6teel would go no lower. Ralls are maintained at 128 for standard weight the railroads constantly placing small orders. Reports of extensive export sales are heard and contradicted, but it is certain this branch of trade is reviving as prices become more attractive to foreign consumers. rn Concessions to packing CuiGdQO. house workers averted a a threatening disturbance in the labor situation and restored equanimity where there was probability of serious interference to business. The season of outdoor work is now well advanced and there will be the usual release of help, but this will affect only a moderate number of skilled hands. Aside from implement makers, indications are that most factories will run full forces throughout the winter, and the steel mills are assured full employment. Demand for furnace products and finished iron is curtailed, due principally to large consumers holding off for lower prices. Reported cuts in finished materials and a reduction in price of rails will encourage the early initiation of much heavy Work for some time past held in abeyance. Grain shipments, including 2,080,798 bushels of corn, aggregate 4,907,588 bushels, and are 2(3 per cent over the corresponding week of 1902. Agricultural advices arc satisfactory as to condition of winter wheat and farm work. Supplies of wheat are gaining in the Northwest and millers are enabled to increase the output. Export demand for breadstuffs is lighter and prices tend lower. Compared with last week’s closing, wheat declined 2% cents. Corn advanced %c and oats unchanged. Live stock receipts, 308,509 head, are 8 per cent over a year ago. Bank clearings, $178,363,113, are 6.02 per cent over a year ago.

International’s Report. Special telegraphic reports from correspondents of tho International Mercantile Agency throughout thu United States and Canada regarding the state of trade are summarized as follows: « The intervention of elections in eleven States, with a week of mild weather, has served to check retail sales of seasonable goods, notably clothing and millinery, but a canvass of leading jobbers iu staple lines at important cities indicates that tlie season’s total business is somewhat in excess of expectations. In financial circles features have been the ease with which the Wall street stock market resists shock, the ease with which gold was engaged for import after the first flush of cotton export bills and the increased firmness of money at the West, where, as Chicago bankers ray, continued tension is paomised for the next four weeks. The cotton'crop, representing $100,000,000 more than that of last year, even if no larger, points to further financial drafts to market it.