Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 138, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

CliScaga

The weekly review of Chicago trade, published by R. G. Dun A Co./saysr

jJe>'e,:v_iieiits were favorable to steadiness and further strength in the loading branches of trade. Seasonable weather and a large influx of live stork show visitors created a gratifying ini; provement throughout the prominent retail departments, a heavy disposition being effected in winter apparel, footwear, table needs and Christmas wares. Demands of country merchants held up surprisingly, much of the business being for urgent delivery, and this stimulated activity in the wholesale district, the buying being well distributed in the staples. Shipments of woolens, linens, men's furnishings, boots, and shoes and holiday goods were free. Local dealers also made liberal selections of merchandise in anticipation ol increased requirements during this month. Inferior advices indicate satisfactory consumption in the necessities and the outlook encouraging for an excellent holiday trade. Railroad -returns exhibit extended tonnage in the movement of general merchandise and farm products. Lake navigation lias almost closed, but substantial additions are shown in receipts of ore, fuel and lumber, the latter aggregating 45,940,000 feet, against 38,579,000 feet a year ago. Mercantile settlements continued prompt and defaults moderate.

Manufacturing industries present renewed indications of larger production, especially in iron and steel, woodworking and leather using branches. New business has gained in heavy machinery, boilers and motive power. Carshops increased forces and preparations were advanced for rush work in shipbuilding. Wire mills in this district booked numerous orders and capacity is now engaged for most of 1905.. Board of Trade operations reached a larger volume, receipts of grain being close to the aggregate a year ago, while total shipments were 3,890,258 bushels, a decrease of 3.8 per cent. There was considerable realizing sales and values suffered a slight shrinkage, corn being weakest. Failures reported in the Chicago district numbered 25, against 24 last week and 25 a year ago.

Nev York.

Bradstreet’s weekly commercial report says: Developments have

been mainly favorable. Cool weather has helped retail trade, stimulated reorders from jobbers and improved collections, except in parts of the South, where bolding of cotton is reported. Heavy dry gods, clothing, shoes, groceries and hardware note relatively most activity. Holiday trade has opened well and promises a very large aggregate. All usual measures of trade volume point to a heavy turnover proceeding. Clearings, partly because of active speculation, are large, November total having only once been surpassed, and then in May, 1001. Failures are fewer in number and liabilities the lightest in any month but one of 1004. Railway earnings testify to a heavy traffic, with gains over a year ago, and car shortages are a feature in widely separated sections. Business failures in the United States for the week ending Dec. 1 number 184, against 103 last week, 230 in the like Week in 1003, 185 in 1002, 237 in 1001 and 224 in 1000. Failures in Canada for the week number 20, as against 31 last week and 23 in this week a year ago.