Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1905 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

—— Dun's review of ChicaCbiCdQO. g° trade, published by IL G. - Dun & Co., the mercantile agency, says: Developments have continuedt favorable to business, and the volume of production and distribution steadily expanded, new demands imparting a more encouraging tone in operations, especially with reference to future employment. A larger use of money now is evident, and the showing of the local national banks creates a good impression. With the seasonable weather which mainly prevailed, the leading retail lines were enabled to make a satisfactory advance. Personal buying was very largely augmented throughout the jobbing division, and the manufacturing branches added materially to bookings. Iron and steel gained additional strength from the orders received fort rails, pig iron, plates, ami structural material. Prices have maintained firmness and became higher for sheets. Inquiries show that the railroads will make further notable purchases of rolling stock and track material, and considerable bridge work is contemplated. The market exhibited well distributed demand, and notwithstanding the large supplies there was satisfactory absorption and steadiness in values. Leather and sundries were in good request. and the leather working branches, particularly shoes, obtained a fair amount of new business for fall delivery. Breadstuff's experienced a good demand, and the movement of grain reached unusually large proportions. Bank clearings, $198,052,1X18, were 19.4 per cent over those of corresponding week last year. Money was in steady demand, and the discount rate for choice commercial paper ranged from 4 to 5 per cent. * Failures reported in the Chicago district numbered twenty-five, against twenty last week and twenty a year ago. ~ ~ 7“I Bradstreet's weekly reNfiV IOrE. view of the country’s trade is as follows: Spring trade and outdoor activities gather force as the month advances. Better weather, small interior stocks, and confidence in the future induce a wider distribution in practically all sections except the South, where considerable irregularity appears, spme markets reporting expansion, while others advise of contraction, compared with a year ago. Dry goods, clothing, groceries, shoes, hardware, farm implements, lumber and building material show relatively most activity. AH reports indicate great activity in railway circles. Merchandise shipments and high class freight are very large, grain tonnage is heavy for this season, aud complaints of car shortage still come, though the situation has improved slightly. Gross receipts for January gained 6 per cent, while net increased 12 per cent. Collections still lag, but money has -turned firmer, probably a reflection of increased demands in regular trade lines.