Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1905 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

—“ j Trade generally exhibCh'CdQO. its well distributed activ1 ity. The movement of commodities exhausts available facilities by both rail and lake, while new demands provide large additions to forward bookings iu the manufacturing lines. Lower temperature has stimulated further pressure in construction work, much requiring completion before winter appears, but some hindrance, due to difficulty in getting material promptly is experienced. The change in weather was favorable to extended disposition of seasonable wares, and retail trade progressed in Clothing, household needs and footwear. Pricesfor ordinary necessaries are high, but this does retard an increasing volume of consumption. Wholesale operations continue ou a satisfactory basis and heavy shipments to tlje interior are current in the principal staples, dry goods, shoes, blankets and woolens being most prominent. The buying holds up well in silk, linen and cotton fabrics. Country advices reflect encouraging conditions in merchandizing, collections are reasonably prompt and defaults under those of both last week and the corresponding week last year. Iron and steel production is exerted to the limit of capacity. Factory and foundry work makes steady advance. Die leather working trades have considerable orders ahead, desirable .woods for both building and manufacturing show growing scarcity, and approved plans include some construction for next spring. Railroad traffic Is enormous and managers are forced to issue additional heavy commitments tor ‘Cars and motive power. Failures reported Chicago district number twenty-three, against twentynine last week and twenty-six a year ago.—Dun’s Review of Trade.

‘ Cool weather, later than , NfiV YOrK. usual in arriving this year, has given a stimulus to retail trade throughout a wide area and helped the already active jobbing trade through the medium of reorders. Further strength has developed in iron and steel, Which, though perhaps quieter so far as new business is concerned, are more firmly held or show further advances. Export trade in all kinds of grain and flour shows expansiom Prices of nearly all commodities are strong or tend upward, reflecting insistent demand. Demand for money is still growing and stock market movements are being subordinated to requirements to move crops and finance Commercial operations along all lines. Some Western centers still report their banks drawing down Eastern balances to meet nearer requirements. The only flaw in the situation at present—one, by the way, flowing from intense activity in all lines of industry—is the growing inability of the railroads to handle the freight traffic offering. This complaint is well-nigh universal. Bush ness failures for the week ended Oct. 12 number 183, against 189 last week, 196 in the like week of 1904, 203 in 1903, 203 in 1902 and 98 in 1901. In Canada failures for the week number 25, as against 25 last week and 18 in this week a year ago.—Bradstreet’s Commercial Report.