Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

flew York.

Advices from special correspondents of the ternational Mer c a ntlle

Agency indicate that there has been further Improvement this week in distribution of merchandise at prominent Western centers, and generally better jobbing trade at Omaha and similar points of distribution, where sales are being pushed successfully. Uncertainty has given place to comparative assurance in quarters where new ventures could scarcely obtain a hearing a few weeks ago.. The weather during the week has been favorable for crops throughout the West, Southwest and Northwest Although reports of crop damages come from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Oklahoma, other sections, notably the Missouri Valley, Rocky Mountains and the Pacific coast, have experienced satisfactory temperature. The weather has been rather unfavorable for new cotton in parts of Texas. The situation in other sections of the South is, however, satisfactory. Corn and oats are being harvested in some sections of that State. Rice and sugar cane are in good state, and business governed by crop conditions shows up well in all branches.

Chicago.

Dun’s review of Chicago trade for the past week says:

Disparity appears In the movement of heavy manufactured products, and there are Indications of further conservatism, In Ipdustrial branches due to lessened demand and difficulties presented by new symptoms of labor unrest. The delayed solution of dlffer\ ences responsible for the tie-up of lake commerce oc&slons serious interference to business, besides occasioning financial loss which cannot be fully regained. Against these unfavorable factors there are various gratifying developments. New building operations are assuming prominence and require Increasing forces of workmen at good wages. Weather conditions remain eminently seasonable, and while beneficent to growing crops, are also an encouraging factor In the distribution of necessities. Country merchants report enlarged consumption and show more confidence in placing orders for fall supplies. Local trade exhibits steady advance in both leading retail and jobbing. Sales of staple goods were strong, especially in dress wear, footwear, groceries and clothing, and the demand was well sustained in paints, vehicles and sporting goods. Mercantile collections were uniformly steady nbd defaults decreased. Grain shipments, 2,744,919 bushels, compare with 2,742,345 bushels last week and 3,7511,106 bushels a year ago. Dealings in flour w-ere rather limited, and although cash wheat held strong, there was little demand. The coarse grains made the best showing of activity. Prices contrasted with last week’s closings have declined, In corn seven-eights of a cent, in wheat half a cent and in oats one-quarter of a cent. Receipts of live stock, 266,586 head, compared with 239,754 last week and 269,542 a year ago. Hogs closed 7*6 cents p.er hundred weight under a week ago, but increased values appear, for cattle 35 cents and sheep 20 cents.