Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1904 — COMMEPCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMEPCIAL AND FINANCIAL

~Advices received this NfiH lOri. week from chief commer”—*cial centers of the country indicate that, apart from the usual summer dullness, there is evidence of a better fall trade than merchants have been planning for. Just now there is the lull in business usual at this season of the year, though some industries report a demand for their product that outstrips the preparations to supply it T. n crop situation and the political outlook seem to have cheered commercial communities and to have removed some of the feeling of doubt and discouragement that has been so marked in the past eight months. The one new disturbing feature is the strike of the packing house employes. This dispute over higher wages will directly influence the commodity price barometer, which was declining last month, but may turn in July, with provisions and grain both rising sharply. From the West and Northwest the reports regarding crop conditions are more encouragiffg than they were a week ago. The floods throughout the winter wheat section, though entailing a great deal of loss to growers anti railroads, subsided quickly and probably left a much smaller percentage of damage behind than has been claimed. Kansas City reports a few cancellations in the affected territory and says that crop conditions elsewhere are good. Collections in that section are a little slow, but the outlook for fall business is good. St. Paul suggests some alarm over the heavy rainfall in the Red River valley, where the precipitation has been unusually severe. Midsummer dullness in the jobbing trade obtains in St. Paul. Milwaukee is more optimistic. “Hard times” talk there is absent and merchants are pleased with the general outlook, while some manufacturers in the State who had expected to shut down during the summer have more than they can do.

“ R. G. Dun & Co.’s CniCdQO. weekly review of Chicago —-—'trade says: Aside from the interruption due to accumulated labor controversies and the consequent adverse effect upon capital, the business situation is without other indications which would hinder an early period of recuperation. Conditions have been favorable to a larger measure of activity in the leading retail departments, and further increase appeared in the demand for seasonable needs, with dealings larger in clothing and footwear. Wholesale transactions were of fair volume in the dry goods branches, and In boots and shoes, woolens and food products. There was a steady demand among the jobbers for immediate use, and the selections for fall delivery made an improved showing in the staples, cotton goods being in more favor among country buyers. " Crop damage reports induced less conservatism in the interior than was feared, and the mercantile collections have been easier in the sections which were most slow recently. Railroad traffic returns indicate a more liberal movement of general merchandise. Grain show a gratifying recovery from last week’s slow volume, but are 80.3 per cent under those of a year ago. Values were principally controlled by speculative factors, and, compared with theclosings a week ago, gained in wheat 5 cents a bushel and in conn and oats % cent each. Failures reported in the Chicago district number 44, against 19 last week and 26 a year ago.