Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1905 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Dealings in leading rePhipann tail lines suffered from the extension of the teamsters’ strike, hut the aggregate volume of trade has maintained increasing proportions. The general, movement of commodities gained" further momentum, and in both production and new demands the developments impart strength to business. Railroad freight .is more largely made up of staple merchandise. factory products and raw material, and further activity is seen In lake traffic, mine and forest output furnishing large tonnage. Spring work on the farms is responsible for lessened marketing of grain, yet the receipts exceeded those of the corresponding week last year by fully 30 per cent and the shipments from this port almost doubled. Supplies of primary foodstuffs have been ample for requirments. and with the winding up of recent disastrous speculation in wheat market operations are now controlled by normal conditions. The severe decline stimulated fresh vigor in flour transactions for both domestic and foreign consumption. Agricultural advices affirm beneficial effect of the late rainfall upon growing crops. Spring seeding cover® a greater acreage than last year, and reports from the ranges are good as to pasturage and stock. Local financial affairs present a healthy aspect. Funds continue in ready supply for legitimate enterprises, and while most of the commercial banks are well loaned up. there is considerable investment of money in choice bonds and realty improvements, the discount rate being favorable. Grain receipts were 3,230.253 bushels, against 3,320,721 bushels last'week and 2,359,033 bushels a year ago. The shipments aggregated 3.203,014 bushels. against 1,647,418 bushels. Receipts of live stock were 3i7.187 head, compared with 320.477 head last week and 285,201 head a year ago, and the demand was insufficient to maintain prices. Compared with the closings a week ago, declines are seen in wheat 22 cents a bushel, corn 1% cents, oats 1 cent, pork 45 cents, choice beeves 5 cents, hogs 10 cents and sheep 35 cents.—Dun’s Commercial Review. *

{jgy York ncterizes distributive . trade, while industry is active and outdoor construction is of unprecedented volume.—The- weather has been rather too cool for the best of crop preparation or germination. Labor is well employed, and with the one conspicuous exception of Chicago, where the teamsters' strike affects trade and shipments, disputes are below the average for May 1. Prices of many staples have been weak and unsettled, and cereals, cotton, some kinds of pig iron, copper, and country produpe have moved lower. Railway earnings are good, and bank clearings this week, owing to holidays, are smaller than last week, but heavily exceed a year ago. Collections generally are rather tardy, especially at the South. Crop conditions, though the season is backward, promise well as regards the cereals. A heavy wheat yield is in prospect.—Brad street’s Trade Report.