Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

rr: —---,-i r. g. Dun & Co.’« N6V I (HI Weekly Review of Trade —— says: Manufacturing plants are stopping for inventories nnd repairs in many cases, the extent of Idleness being considerably greater than for the corresponding season in recent preceding years. There has been a liberal volume of business iu holiday goods, but reports are somewhat conflicting in comparison with 1902. An encouraging sign is the improvement in collections. Railway traffic was not seriously Impeded by recent storms, owing to better methods of operation, and earnings thus far reported for December exceed last year’s by 0 per cent* Agreements are being made with little Iriction ns to wage reductions, except In the case of coal miniug, and several idle plants have fixed the date for resuming work. Few labor disputes are in progress and steel producers look for much new business early next month. Leading interests iu the iron and sieel industry brought more stability to the situation by deciding against any further reductions in quotations aud there are numerous indications that prospective purchasers do not intend to delay placing contracts beyond the season of inventories aud repairs. Grain moved within narrow limits, no special news appearing other than a new record for wheat production in Australia. Prices are firm. Failures this week numbered 28-1 in the United States, against 209 last year, aud 22 in Canada, compared with 21 a year ago. J Retail merchandising atI CiliCdQQ. tained proportions exceed- ! * ‘ iiig all previous experience, and closed for the holidays with total sales much ahead of the corresponding period last year, Demand was better sustained than hr. A been anticipated, and the buying power of the people disclosed no diminution. All seasonable stocks show the effects of unparalleled consumption. A gratifying feature was the improvement in purchases made of highpriced wares and articles of luxury. Other goods especially adapted to Christmas trade sold very freely, and the staple lines of wearing apparel, household needs nnd footwear were readily disposed of. Estimates of the gain in sales made indicate a probable average of 20 per cent over a year ago. Dealings iu hats nnd caps, smokers’ articles and groceries were largely swelled. Wholesale trade reports improvement in collections and sales satisfactory, both in reassortments aa.l advance selections for spring delivery. The west bound movement of merchandise shows well-sustained volume, but a decrease appears hi the eastbound shipments of foodstuffs. Conditions in the principal manufacturing branches are withoyA important change. Failures in the Chicago district number 29. ngainst 31 for the previous week aud 29 a year ago. Grain shipments aggregate 1,091,507 bushels, and are one-fifth under the corresponding period of 1902. Reports indicate a more favorable condition in winter wheat growth. The interior movement of grain is much heavier and taxes the ability of railroads to supply necessary cars. The domestic demand for wheat is only moderate, hut the price was forced up on the uncertain outcome of the Rnssia-Japan dispute. Compared with the closing a week ago the net advance is 114 cents. Coarse grains were in nniple supply, nnd on light foreign buying oats declined 1 cent and corn */j cent. Provisions developed strength till better domestic Rales, pork advancing 55 cents and lard 35 cents. Live stock receipts, 387,743 head, are 13 per cent over a year ago. The general demand was good, and values gained in cattle and sheep 25 cents per hundredweight, and in hogs 15 cents.