Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL
Nev York.
In almost every part of the country from which the International Mercan-
tile Agency has received special reports there are signs of an improvement in trade, with better business on hand than usual at this season and few cancellations as a result of the rather calamitous reports that have been sent out from the spring wheat sections in the Northwest. This is a splendid augury for the trade in the next six months. In the financial and mercantile worlds there is no one condition that is having an effect at present equal to that produced by the several aspects of the crop situation. The loss by floods probably reduced the winter wheat yield by 28,000,000 bushels. There has been extensive damage In the last week to spring wheat by rust. If no further loss occurs in the Northwest there will probably be between 575,000,000 and 600,000,000 bushels harvested. There appears to be no warrant for the estimate of a total yield under 550,000,000 bushels. With a production of 600,000,000 bushels there will be a small exportable surplus. It Is remarkable how little alarm has been shown over the labor troubles that already exist and those that threaten. Locally the strike of the men in the packing house trade is of small consequence, while indications in the West are that it will soon be settled. In Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis and St. Paul, cities that naturally, would be affected by the disturbances, there is little trace of a reaction in trade. It is just as significant that the same sections should report a very satisfactory distribution of merchandise in view of the estimates of damage by rust to spring wheat. In some of the counties of North and South Dakota there has probably been a material setback, but the damage figures are generally discredited.
Chicago.
R. G. Dun & Co.'s review of Chicago trade for the week follows: A heav-
ier movement of commodities, increased production in important manufactures, and good buying of general merchandise are the indications of improvement in present dealings. It Is gratifying that the wheat crop estimate suffers little impairment and that. growers are assured of profitable returns. With other crops promising abundant yields, the farming interests are in position to become liberal buyers. This creates more confidence that business generally will assume larger proportions, while the preparations under way stimulate wider effort. New business coming forward appears best among the leading lines of jjistribution, the orders being from various sections where trade conditions are healthy, especially in the cotton Status and Southwest. Reports gathered show bookings larger than those a year ago in dry goods and foot wear, while sales were of fair volume in woolens, clothing and groceries. Retail trade in both the city and country reflect steady reduction of stocks and collections generally caused little inquiry. Manufacturing activity Is more distinct In iron and steel branches, and In woodworking. Forces were incrcas-. ed at steel mills and there is heavier output of rails, structural forms and furnace product. Farm Implement factories have considerable work on hand and will reopen promptly when Inventories are completed. Other iron consuming branches are â– well employed and business has remained good both in the production and distribution of heavy and shelf hardware. Lumber dealings exhibit steady Increase. Prices of all material entering into manufacture nre very firm, and new requirements suggest little probability of early reaction. Failures reported in Chicago district number 31, against 32 last week and 24 a year ago.