Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 125, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Ctiicaga

Dun’s weekly revieup ? of Chicago trade says: The variable, weather

conditions were somewhat of a hindrance to retail lines, but notwithstanding this there was little indication of reduced consumption In the necessities. Th 6 production of leading: manufacturers maintains a steady advance and Is better distributed, whileprices exhibit a rising tendency in furnace product. New orders are notable in ship-build-ing and rolling stock in anticipation of transportation expansion by lake and* rail. These commitments involve largeexpenditures and are indicative of the improved confidence felt throughout business circles. Developments In the line of new enterprise are found encouraging and building requirements disclose no diminution. Lumber receipts, 45,436,000 feet, are the heaviest this 'season, and compare with 39,134,000 feet a year ago, The re«?nt drain on yard stocks is followed by a prompt replenishment, anil heavy factory needs arebeing provided for. Distribution of other commodities has widened, and railroad traffic returns exceed those of the corresponding week last year. East-bound .forwarding made a sharp gain in foodstuffs, especially of pack-ing-house product. Wholesale dealings* make the best showing within the last two years. Buying is more characterized by discount taking, and. whilemerchants select cautiously, the disposition to limit their extent is less apparertt than during last month. Interior advices generally are satisfactory as to merchandising and crop conditions, winter wheat having made an excellent start. The situation In metals attracts considerable attention, and the remarkable reawakening to activity imparts* limcli strength throughout other industrial departments. Aside from rails, contracts reached a heavy aggregate, and while pig iron is in best demand there was also liberal buying of structural material, plates and merchant forms. Factory supplies have run into much tonnage for early consumption by ear and machinery interests. Hardware and farm machinery producers report a steady gain in output, and the furniture and woodworking branches are all busy.

New York.

Bradstreet’s trade report for the week baa this to say: ,

Good feeling, in some instances closely approaching optimism, dominates the general trade situation, bur the undertone is withal one of conservatism, and there is a general desireto avoid overtrading. Past reports of good wholesale trade ore reflected in an increased speeding of the wheels of industry, but, except in portions of the West and Southwest, where cool weather has helped retail distribution, and in tlve South, where good prices for cotton induce free marketing of the crop, there is a disposition Jo regard the weather as too warm for best results in final distribution. Hallway earnings turned the corner in August, the roads of the country showing a gain of a fraction of 1 per cent in net over 1903. Collections have continued' to hold the improvement noted last week, being especially good at theSouth.