Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 136, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

—■■■■••• •; R. G. Dun & Co.’S CiliOddO weekly review of Chi___JL_Jcago trade^says; Measured by the ordinary factors, business exhibits steady progress. Holiday and the clothing strike interruptions had little effect upon the distribution of commodities, the volume more than equaling that of the same period last year. Railroad earnings reflect a gain, the new tonnage consisting largely of finished products and raw materials for mill and factory consumption. * Lake traffic, now closing for the season, has been much stimulated lately in the movement of ore, lumber and fuel. Manufacturers find continued growth in demands, and while a sharp advance is felt in the cost of production current undertakings are readily negotiated. Railroad specifications are more clearly defined for equipment of considerable magnitude, and no diminution appears in contemplated building requirements, the latest plans including various transportation and commercial enterprises. Structural material is seen to be in unusual request, with prices tending higher, particularly for cement and stone, and pine and hard woods stand at a higher level on widened factory buying. Lumber receipts this week run behind recent figures, but the total, 38,340,000 feet, is close to that of a year ago.

Bradstreet’s weekly reflpw VnrV port, summarizing the iUia ’.J trade conditions of the whole country, is as follows: Cold weather is needed to move retail stocks of winter clothing, dry goods and shoes, reorders for which from jobbers are not brisk. On the other hand, the trade in holiday goods has begun well, and good feeling as regards this line Is coupled with confidence as to trade in spring fabrics, which is proceeding better than a year ago. Manufacturing industry is active in most lines the country over, winter employment in the iron and allied trades Is assured, aud labor is better employed than n year ago at this date. Holding by farmers is credited with affecting collections at several Southern points, but, as a whole, payments are better than a year ago. The strength of manufactured products Is notable. Iron and steel Lave been active and strong in all lines. Pig iron shows a few advances on last week, foundry Iron noting gains of 50 cents per ton. A further advance of wire goods is looked for In December. A strong feature in connection with the iron trade is the activity in and strength of hardware in all markets. A notable feature in the heavier lines this week was the free buying of bridge material by railroads. These companies are also buying cars freely, and plates feel this influence, and also the reports of improved conditions in the shipbuilding trades. Lake builders are reported to have six months’ orders ahead. All the other metals are strong.

Business failures In the United States for the week ending Nov. 24 number 193, against 190 last week, IG7 In the like week in 1903, 182 in 1902, 189 in 1901 and 184 in 1900. In Canada failures for the week number 31, as agajnst 24 last week and 13 In this week a year ago.