Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Chlnga

Dun’s review of Chicago trade says: Favorable developments are increased

final distribution of footwear, strong demand for foodstuffs, and improving aspect in iron. Following the unprecedented "Christmas trade in leading lines retail current dealings appear somewhat restricted, hut a gratifying exception appears in sales of shoes, rubbed and warm wear lines. Wholesalers report dealings running as expected, various orders for reossprtmeots coming from the interior and the house trade of fair dimensions, but most closed the year in preparation for the annual inventories nnd striking of balances. Mercantile collections generally have shown more promptness and less complaint affects local settlements. Railroad traffic reports still show heavy movement of general merchandise and east-bound shipments of hog products make good comparison with a year ago. Failures in Chicago district number twenty-one, against thirty-six for the corresponding period of 1002. Provisions also shared in the improved demand, pork advancing G 5 cents, ribs 22% cents, and lard 17% cents. Live stock receipts show heavy falling off, due to stormy weather nnd some indisposition to mnrkct at recent low prices. On the paucity of supplies bhldiug became spirited and prices gained in hogs 20 cents and in sheep 15 cents per hundred weight, no change appearing in. the quotatiou for choice beeves.

New York.

R. G. Dun & Co.’s Weekly Review of Trade says:

Violent fluctuations in cotton nnd uncertainty regarding the situation in the far East were the only significant factors in the business situation during the holiday week. Numerous expressions of confidence are heard regarding the future, however, especially nt the West and South. Manufacturing plants have taken a longer vacation than last year. Much irregularity nnd activity is reported iu the markets for minor metals, which are chiefly responsive to speculative operations at London. Despite a sharp break in the foreign market, tin closed the week with a net gain, aud copper is also stronger because of increased interests abroad. Only steadiness can be recorded as to Chicago packer hides, further advances being checked by the diminution of purchases. As to tlie textiles, the week has only augmented unsettled conditions, especially as to cotton good^