Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1903 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Uow VnrV /Telegraphicreports to rlul lull, roe International Mercantile Agency regarding the more important changes and features of the week are summarized as follows;. Kentucky tobacco will grade better than last year. It will amount to twothirds of an average crop. vl--The most significant' industrial feature lies in reduction of wages of 30,009 bar iron workers and announcement of intended action with reference to 100,090 machinists. Loss from strikes this yehr is over $600,000,000, quite in excess df last year. \ General trade is most- active in the' central 'and southwesterff States. Cleveland says it is unprecedented in dry goods And dhthing and ptoSp&rous in all leading lines. Chicago reports very active distribution in seasonable lines with trade taking, ndvaritage of discounts. A heavy' movement is conspicuous at St. Louis and throughout the States tributary to that city, which extends to nil staple lines. The freight car congestion caused by pressure of general traffic centering at St. Louis is being generally raised. 7/ Dun’s Review of Chi11110300. cago Trade, issued by R. — G. Dun & Co., the mercantile agency, says: < “Aside from the temporary disquiet engendered by pessimistic views of the dangerous position of the corn crop from frost, trade activity maintains a favorable aspect. The industrial situation is less affected by labor troubles and manufacturers are enabled to overtake delayed work, though many yet require more tinie to reduce the number of old contracts on hand. Necessary fuel and raw materials are more readily obtained than at this time last year, and the capacity of plants is fully tested in various important lines of production. Deliveries are more reasonably prompt, but the railroads are not yet clear of the probability of congestion. The traffic in merchandise and heavy materials maintains enormous proportions, rail earnings show more gain, and there is unusual passenger carrying to the Pacific and new settlements throughout the West. “The current demand for food stuffs shows more volume. Bread stuffs have not advanced permanently, as might have been expected in view of widespread alarm as to safety of crops. Values were forced up, but failed to hold at the top, owing to enormous sales of leading operators, except oats, which appear to be: under manipulation. Prices closed lower than a week ago, in corn % cent and wheat % cent. Oats were advanced 3 cents. Flour met with better demand and shipments on foreign account were increased. “Live stock receipts' 343,057 head, are 33 per cent over a year ago. One day’s receipts of cattle reached 41,803 head, the largest number recorded in this market. Buying was spirited and prices advanced 15 cents per hundred weight for choice beeves. Hogs were in good demand at the highest quotation in four weeks. The sheep pens were well equipped at slightly advanced values. Sales of provisioA exhibit increase, demand being well distributed in domestic and foreign needs. Prices of all hog products are fairly steady, with ribs 30 cents, dearer for the week. Receipts increase in dressed beef slightly, seeds 7 per cent, wheat 8, butter and hogs 15, lard_lß. flour 34. cattle 35, hidoq. 41, barley 49, sheep ,55, wool 70 and corn 295. Decreases are cheese 6 per cent, oats 32. broom corji 60 and rye .76. “Bank exchanges; $171,365,758. represent the heaviest business in over two months, and are 7 per cent more than for corresponding week a year ago. New buildings, 1 ? $180,409, ’"decreased 30 per cent, and real estate sales, $2,158,545, declined 6 per cent.”