Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 140, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1904 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Chicago.

The weekly review of Chicago trade, published by It. G. Dunn & Co.,

says: Retail operations at this time of the year usually are a fair ipdex of the buying power of the people. The test thus far presents satisfactory response, consumption being heavy in the principal branches and suggesting a strong probability of increasing activity during the coming weeks. Christmas wares never before were so varied and well displayed throughout the shopping district, and, under the stimulus of ideal weather and liberal buying, it is not surprising that sales have made rapid progress and already compare favorably with those of a year ago. With these encouraging factors in evidence, the outlook has become much improved, resulting in the placing of many orders for reassortments for both city and country stores. Jobbers’ reports exhibit augmented purchases of heavy dry goods, clothing, woolens and cottons for prompt delivery. Large shipments have been made of groceries, canned goods and other table needs to western points, and the current demand is better for art goods, silverware, jewelry and novelties. Wholesale departments are doing a good house trade in the staples. Textiles lately have been in wider request, and with cheaper raw material the cotton goods market is healthier. Mercantile collections remain prompt and discounting of bills is more common. Railroad earnings again disclose gain and reflect an expanding movement of general merchandise, factory and fafm products. Important industries find the new demands advancing and gradual improvement in the business outlook. Improvement Is noted in the demand for heavy machinery, electric equipment, cars and rails, all providing considerable future employment. Breadstuffs wore in slightly larger demand, but there were heavy offerings and ’ values declined in wheat, corn and oats. Shipments of grain aggregated 3,210,304 hushels, an increase of 40.8 per cent over those of corresponding week last year. Receipts also swelled, new oorn coming forward heavily. Receipts of live stock, 415,917 head, provided ample selections and values closed lowor, hogs being weakest. Failures reported in the Chicago district numbered 25, against 25 last week and 47 a year ago.

8w York.

Bradstreet’s report of tlie country trade in general says:

While distribution displays more irregularity, manufacturing industries, with few- exceptions, continue very active. Mild weather retards business in part of the Northwest and the Ohio Valley. The leading lake cities, however, show improvement in most lines and in collections. Wholesale distribution, as usual at this season, tends to quietness, though in excess of a year ago. Western jobbers fail to report an active re-order movement in staples, but holiday trade is progressing favorably and promises, with favorable weather, to reach a large total.