Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

'.. 7. j R. G. Dun & Co.’s IO YOrK. Weekly Review of Trade says: Little net change in trade conditions is noted for the past week. Storms mid floods did much damage to property and threatened agricultural prospects at the start, but subsequently the weather improved and the outlook brightened. Spring trade is expanding, although still backward to some extent, and new labor controversies have added to the number of unemployed, despite an amicable arrangement of the sheet and tin plate scale. Building operations would be vigorous if employers and wage earners could adjust differences. Inquiries for structural material are out of proportion to new permits, which probably is due to the fact that there is much resumption of postponed work. Railway earnings in three weeks of March are onlj- 1.4 per cent smaller than a j ear ago, and far in excess of any preceding year. Agricultural implement makers are busy, merchant pipe is in good demand, and 'machinery lines will be stimulated by the beginning of work on the Panama canal and other big undertakings about to be started. Minor metals advanced in response to London, the rise in tin being sufficient to check domestic consumption.

Quiet conditions continue in the hide market, except for some large sales by Chicago packers of native cowhides at firm prices, and all arrivals of foreign dry hides are promptly taken. New England manufacturers of footwear complain of the paucity of new business, but have orders sufficient to insure activity until the middle of next month. Failures this week numbered '220 in the United States, against 214 last year, and 12 in Canada, compared with 26 a year ago.

7F Business reached a more LfilCdOO. ■ even breadth, both in pro- — duction and distribution. Weather conditions underwent a satisfying change, inducing wider activity iu the manufacturing branches, and retail trade was placed upon the best basis in some time past. Sales in the latter were increased, the buying entering into quite n variety of needs, with the heaviest dealings appearing in wearing apparel, footwear, furniture and household necessities. - The fashionable Easter exhibits were well attended. Prices remain as costly as a year ago, yet the demand for seasonable wares has not been affected adversely. The jobbing departments have shown well maintained activity. Transactions made a good showing in millinery, and men’s furnishings. A satisfactory aggregate also obtained in boots and shoe, hats and caps, carpets and groceries. Requirements of country merchants were purchased very carefully, and no disposition to overstock was noted.

Shipments of general merchandise became heavy, and foodstuffs arrived in liberal quantities. Freight traffic has resumed normal volume, but complaints continue of difficulty in obtaining prompt railroad deliveries, due mainly to shortage of cars and motive power. Mercantile collections generally were fairly good.

Grain shipments, 2,670,900 bushels, are 18 per cent under the same week last year. Cash dealings, both in flour nnd grain, were on a limited scale, but prices, compared with last week’s closing, advanced—in wheat 2% cents and in corn 1% cents. Dealings in provisions reached a fair aggregate. Lard advanced cents and ribs 12% cents. Pork was freely offered, and declined 17% cents per barrel. Receipts of live stock, 296,178 head, were 31 per cent over the same week last year. Failures in Chicago district number 27, against 20 the previous week and 22 a year ago.