Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1902 — COMMETCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMETCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Net York.

I “Evidences of further improvement are numerous. Labor controversies are

less threatening, many settlements having been effected, while others are momentarily anticipated; wages have been advanced, not only through strikes, but in some cases voluntarily; traffic congestion has subsided until it is possible to deliver goods according to specifications; aslde froui some idle footwear shops, the leading lines of manufacture are very tully engaged, while jobbing trade is .fit exceptional magnitude. Retail dealings are also very large, the Easter stimulus being felt in all lines of wearing apparel. With domestic demand so vigorous, it is especially encouraging to notice a gain for the last week in foreign trade at the principal ports.” Thus declares R. G. Dun & Co.’s Weekly Review of Trade, and adds:

““Pressure for iron and steel has not dlminished there perceptibly) yet the impression is growing that after July 1 the situation will become approximately normal, and it will be possible to secure deliveries with some degree of promptness. This is the more probable, as there has been a further stiffening of quotations and additional importations, which would have been much larger but for the advance in foreign markets. “For some time to come it is probable that foreign commerce exhibits as to this industry will be less satisfactory, but U is worthy of note that imports_are mainly of pig iron, billets and sheets, while the exports of many lines of expensive machinery and other finished products are fully sustained. Large contracts are constantly under consideration for structural material on domestic account, including railway bridges, viaducts, carshops and office buildings. In this respect the domestic consumption this year will far surpass all records. Open weather has brought out a heavy tonnage of merchant pipe. —— : ——~ ' " ' -

Chicago.

Wheat sold to a new low point during the week. Rain over the Southwest in-

creased the favorable outlook for winter wheat and liquidation, which had been temporarily checked, again became general. Not everything was bearish. There were some statistical changes and a number of minor it’epis that ordinarily would have had steadying effect, hut whatever favorable sentiment arose from continued light receipts at all primary points from decreasing visible supplies and from the fact that wheat has declined 13 cents from the extremely high point of the crop, was more than offset by the good reports of the growing crop. This is the time of year when severe declines in wheat Tnnst- -to —lie expected. With the winter wheat growing nicely and spring wheat seeding about to begin, the outlook at this time i 3 certainly very favorable for a heavy wheat crop this year. The grain traders are quick to anticipate. They arc now discounting the favorable prospect. At such times sentiment changes about more quickly than ordinarily, and the natural instability ol the market is intensified. Spring jobbing trade continues active. A less pressing demand is noted for dry goods, and there is-a- subsidence-of the rush to have orders tilled in some linos, yet new business is large. Wool is firmer, and cotton prices are stationary. The -hnlldipg activity increases the strength -'4w- h H nhnr '' Flour domnmK improved and more busiuess was done for foreign act count. The agricultural implement manufacturers arc an important clement in the iron market at this time. Nearly, 200,000 tons of steel liars have been, taken by them within a short period, and the fact that in some instances enough was bought to cover requirements for fifteen months, is a striking illustration of their faith in the continuance of good business wet) into 19v’..