Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

The advices received this week from special agents of the Interna-

New York.

tional Mercantile Agency at the leading trade centers of the country are, in the -brain, satisfactory. The spirit of optimism Is growing and confidence in a good fall and winter business increases from week to week. Current activity In the different Industrial lilies is not great, but it is better than it was a year ago, with the very wholesome Influence Of a faith in better—things. A decided renction has occurred in the movement of stocks, but this is uot due to any material change in business prospects. There has been good growing weather for the crops which are approaching harvest under continued improved conditions. Iu the spring wheat sections .of the northwest some 1 rust has been discovered which wKI reduce the yield. Harvesting is in progress In nearly all of the leading winter, tvheat States, and the results are better than farmers thought they would be two weeks ago. It is beginning to be believed, though, that the total yield will leave a small exportable surplus, and that the price of wheat and flour during tlie next twelve months will bo high.

ChiGago.

R. G. Dun & Co.'s weekly review of Chicago trade says: Tho week

closes a month usually one of the dullest in business circles, and few important branches have shown activity exceeding or equal to that of a year ago. Stocks of general merchandise turoughout the interior experienced a satisfactory reduction and this encouraged Improved orders Iu the selection of full linos by country retailers. Local conditions, however, were not conducive to better than a normal consumption in necessities, due mainly to the accumulation of labor troubles, curtailed production and consequent diminished purchasing power of many wage-earners in voluntary idleness. The situation may bo slow in righting itself, yet indications are not lacking which present the outlook in a brighter aspect. Agricultural reports reflect successful harvesting thus far nnd the growing crops plenteous and rapidly maturing. Aside from the Interruption due to strikes the manufacturing industries show no especial change, except some effort to respond promptly to new demands involving increased output. This applies mostly In the manufacture of farm machinery, electric appliances, furniture and mill work. New building plans are more numerous than those a year ago and require considerable quantities of material, thus providing much work for producers. “Grain shipments, 3,1452135 bushels, are 10.7 per cent over those a year ago. Foreign buying remained narrow and the increased shipments are due to growing domestic requirements, stocks of flour being regarded in low condition. Compared with last SveeU’s*-clos-ing, prices advanced in wheat 3% cents a bushel, in oats 2% cents and in corn % cent. Receipts of live stock, 135,279 head, are barely one-half the total of same week fast year. Sheep values weakened 50 cents, but choice beeves held steady and heavy hogs advanced 25 cents a hundredweight. r