Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 116, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1904 — CASTORIA COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CASTORIA

COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL

- Cllicdno go trade says: Business developments have been of an encouraging nature. A few industries are yet in a waiting attitude, but aside from these there appears more distinct activity in manufacturing and distribution. Wholesale dealings reached a satisfactory aggregate in fall and winter merchandise, retail sales reflect improved consumption, abd there is enlarged demand at better prices for furnace product. ( Marketing of cereals aggregates unusually high and indicates the extent to which growers are securing the benefit of prevailing profitable returns. Other classes of freight, especially general merchandise, show an advanced movement and railroad tonnage includes a wider variety of commodities. Current buying for interior requirements Is well sustained in the staples. The jobbing interests maintained firm price lists, and mercantile collections generally show well, failures being fewer In number. Breadstuff's exhibit a more assuring tone and market operations denote a stronger domestic demand, particularly for wheat and flour. The production of the latter Is less curtailed, millers being Influenced by low stocks on hand and reviving export inquiry. Grain shipments, 5,200,600 bushels, are 10.1 per cent over those of a year ago and thus far the heaviest this year. Compared with the closings last week, wheat advanced % cent per bushel, but oats declined 1% cents and corn % cent. Live stock receipts, 298,918 head, ran slightly over those a year ago. The market ruled favorable to shippers.

R. G. Dun & Co.’s Nev York. weekly review of trade, covering the country as a whole, says: Trade expands steadily as confidence increases with the harvesting of the crops, and mercantile collections are less tardily met Lower temperature stimulates the demand for fall and winter wearing apparel, and there is more disposition to prepare for the future rather than to confine operations within the limit of immediate requirements. This improvement is extending to all departments of manufacture, and in the aggregate there is less idle machinery than at any recent date. Settlements of labor disputes have helped in the development of this favorable condition. Failures this week aggregated 225 in the United States, against 232 last year, and 30 in Canada, compared with 19 a year ago.