Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1902 — BUSINESS OUTLOOK IS GOOD [ARTICLE]

BUSINESS OUTLOOK IS GOOD

Labor Disputes the Only Drawback in the Trade Situation. “Peace in South Africa has greatly improved the outlook. Foreign industrial markets will quickly benefit foj the development of that country, while a return to active gold mining will have a helpful influence in monetary circles. Owing to the present exceptional home consumption producers in this country may not be able to take advantage of the opportunity immediately, but even the indirect effects must be beneficial. Domestic conditions will have but the one drawback of labor disputes, which have reduced the earning power of a large force. Outside the limits of this influence there is little cause for complaint.” R. G. Dun & Co.’s weekly review of trade thus sums up the industrial situation. Continuing, the review says: “Sales of footwear have materially increased with the advancing season. A temporary season of activity occurred in leather. Quiet prevails in hides. Textile goods are firmly held, with stocks well under control. Quiet conditions are also reported in woolens. Satisfactory weather in the leading producing regions had a depressing influence on grain quotations, and last week’s advance was lost. Failures for the week in the United States were 218, against 194 last week, 192 the preceding week and 185 the corresponding week last year, and in Canada sixteen, against twenty last week, twelve the preceding week and twenty last year."