Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

"Chicago. |

Reports received thi* week-from special agents of the International Mer-

cantlle Agency at the leading centers of accumulation and distribution in the country show very little change in conditions from those previously stated. Actual trade is dull, a normal situation for this season of the year. The outlook for fall and winter business is better in some sections, notably the South and Southwest, than it has been for a long while. Calmer judgment than obtained in the beginning has reduced the estimates of loss by flood to 80,000,000 bushels of winter wheat for the four States most affected. One reliable trade journal has Issued a bulletin which points to a total yield of this cereal of 610,000,000 bushels, and an exportable surplus of nearly 145,000,000 bushels. These are facts that have helped to dislodge some of the discouraging sentiments of the recent past A week of ideal harvesting weather has changed the whole aspect of things, and merchants are refilling orders that had been canceled on account of the floods. In spite of the packers’ strike, Chicago has had a week of marked trade improvement, especially In clothing, shoes, dry goods and men’s and women’s furnishings. Interior merchants have shown more willingness to order than for some time. With the prospect of average cereal crops and an early and large cotton crop the Southwest is beginning to discount some of the expected enrichment of that part of the country. Salesmen from St. Louis have had a better trade than a year ago. Jobbers are satisfied with returns, which they find exceed those of recent similar seasons. One significant fact Is the demand for a better quality of goods. This is noticeable in clothing and shoes.

Rev York.

R. G. Dun & Co.’s weekly review of Chicago trade, says: The usual

j midsummer quiet pervaded the prominent branches of business and was intensified to some extent by labor controversies, the latter being mainly hurtful to the packing and live stock industries and forcing onerous prices upon the, public. Relief from the burden affecting consumers unfortunately has been postponed, and the ranks of the unemployed swelled rather than diminished. In other respects business appears to be sound, with the tendencies toward improvement. Iron and steel developments indicate a return to increased production and larger forces of workers, while better demand is seen In the markets for general merchandise and breadstuffs. Notwithstanding adverse local cpuditlons, distribution in the staple lines was of fair volume in both wholesale and retail branches. Grain shipments, 2,490,500 bushels, are 38.2 per cent under those a year ago. Demand was stronger in flour and grain. Compared with the closings a week ago, advances were made In wheat of five-eighths of a cent a bushel, in oats half a cent and in corn one-eighth of a cent. Live stock receipts were largely curtailed owing to the strike of butchers, and prices were irregular, closing 25 centß higher for choice beeves, 5 cents} heavy hogs and 50 cents lower for sheep. Failures reported in the Chicago district number 28, against 44 last week and 22 a year ago.