Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 106, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1904 — COMMEPCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMEPCIAL AND FINANCIAL

I The latest advices Follow York reived by the InternanCl lull. (ional Mei . cantn? Agency show that there has been littls change in business conditions during the week except in districts especially affected liy reports of crop damage and disturbance incident to the cut in steel prices. Business on the whole shows up well, and in most retail lines is fully holding its own. In certain sections of the West trade has b»en decidedly stimulated, with improved distribution and a generally hopeftfl feeling. Commercial centers are beginning tc feel the impetus of summer travel, and buyers are flocking to distributing points, disposed to buy liberally, although with marked discrimination. Tjiis is a good sign and shows that replenishment this year will be conducted along conservative lines. More seasonable weather throughout the Southwest has led to better results in many lines, especially in dry goods and various branches of apparel. Boot and shoe orders are in better volume, and jobbers in hats and caps are forcing factories to work overtime to keep up with current business. This improvement has extended to the clothing industry, the outlook for which in some sections was reported uncertain a week ago. Less stock than usual is believed to have been carried over in many lines, owing to the known conservatism of prominent dealers. Their experience last winter led to the greater care exercised this year in avoiding the “overstocking evil” with spring and summer e goods.

R. G. Dun & Go's weekly CiliCdUO review of Chicago trade * * says: Business developments have not run evenly, although taken as a whole there is indication of progress toward further activity. The agricultural situation is not yet clearly defined, and. conflicting reports as to present condition of growing crops, while unsettling recent estimates, cannot be seriously entertained until corroborated. It appears highly probable that there will be a diminished surplus of wheat available for export, but there Is no just apprehension as to a great corn yipkl. Prices of the three leading breadstuff's now average one-fifth more than a year ago, wheat alone being'29 'cents higher. Speculation in the latter cereal has created its highest quotation ip some years, but its altitude discourages buying aud invites violent reaction. A more healthy feature is found in provisions and live stock, both exhibiting recovery from the late depression in values. Current dealings in the manufacturing and distributive channels reflect wider demand. Cutting of list prices may be followed by increased orders for wire and nails, but more satisfaction is derived by local producers in the new commitments closed in iron and steel, which reached a Iqrge tonnage in structural material, raijs and pipe. Wholesale transactions were stimulated by augmented numbers of Interior merchants, who selected freely in staple lines for fall consumption. Receipts of live stock, 248,774 head, are closer to the normal. Prices closed 10 cents lower for sheep, but gained 25 cents a hundredweight in both choice beeves and hogs. Bank clearings, $116,159,415, are 8.3 per cent over those of same week last ytear.