Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Chicago.

Dun’s Weekly Review of 'ChtSago trade says: Indus- ~ trial conditions made an

important advance’toward increased activity in production. On the reopening of harvester and car shops and an addition to the number of iron furnaces In blast the manufacturing situation acquired more confidence in a favorable estimate of the business ontlookv With the largely increased forces now nt work the purchasing power of the people was materially strengthened, and this at once inured beneficially -to' retail trade. Dealings in the leading jobbing branches were well maintained and sales made good comparison with a year ago. gams appearing in general dry goods, wearing apparel and footwear. Country orders continued in considerable volume for staple merchandise, and transactions reflect improvement in the demand for furniture, carpets, woolens and food products. Mercantile collections generally are better and defaults decreased. Grain shipments, 4.098,699 bushels, are 20 per cent under those of a year ago. Board of trade operations were without a special feature aside from a further increase in the demand for cash wheat and flour. Compared with the closings a week ago, grain values are slightly lower, while some irregularity appears in provisions, prices being higher in lard and ribs, but unchanged in pork. Live stock receipts, 284,924 head, compared with 310,985 head a year ngo.

Net York.

The word “improvement,” according to Bradstreet’s, summarizes briefly

the course of trade and general industry this week. Although the movements, as for a time past, are along conservative lines, the undertone is more optimistic than at any previous time this, season. Notable features are the improvement in jobbing trade at nearly all western points in dry goods, shoes, groceries, millinery, hardware, paints and drugs.Reports of better collections are general. Pacific coast trade shows some expansion, though heavy Tains in California have been damaging to grapes, raisins and vegetables. Water transportation to the eastern seaboard is being considered. Eastern trade shows a fairly good tons on better industrial outlook, and The reports of better trade coming from the West and South. Among the Industries the features are the better buying of pig iron and firmer prices for the furnace product. Northwestern advices are that the lumber cut the coming winter will be a light one.