Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1906 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

“~ While failures for the uDlCdljO. entire country are slight- — ly more numerous, it is •notable that those in this district fell one-third under those of. a year ago. Bank exchanges again present a heavy segregate, indicating that the January settlements have made good progress and suggest rising deposits. Commercial operations generally, exhibit sustained activity. New demands make a satisfactory showing in the productive branches. Iron and steel capacity is more largely drawn upon aud there is further call for foundry, forge and carsliop output; Outside construction coptinues to be pushed ahead without difficulty from the weather and this furnishes an unusual demand for all kinds of building material. ■

Wholesale dealings In staple merchandise have advanced to a gratifying volume, there being improvement in both house sales and mail orders for early delivery of spring goods. All indications strongly favor exceptional absorption of necessaries and bookings for the "interior are well distributed in the leading branches. Retail trade moves steadily, the recent colder weather having stimulated sharp buying of winter apparel. The markets for raw material reflect liberal buying in hides, leather and lumber, while prices remain very firm. A declining tendency in raw cotton is more apparent, but this has not affected quotations for finished goods, the demand for the latter having extended. Bank clearings, $230,208,732, exceed those ol the corresponding week last year by 23. G per cent. Financial operations have resulted in some gain to deposits, but reserves are being strengthened, In view of the next call for statements, and the discount rate for choice commercial paper remained at fl per cent, and collateral loans were easier at 5% per cent. Failures reported in the Chicago district number thirty-two, against twen-ty-five last week and forty-eight a year ago.—Dun’s Review of Trade.

Tho ugh unfavorable MGW York, weather conditions have —— deterred distribution of heavy wearing apparel, autumn-like temperatures continue to favor outdoor operations, to prolong the demand for building materials, and to prevent "cessation of labor at a period jwheri there is always more or less enforced idleness. Mining lines, particularly iron and steel, machinery and inter related industries, are active as heretofore, and the outlook for 1900 grows even more promising, while the general tendency is for prices of finished products to advance. Clearance sales rule the retail lines, but it is especially noteworthy that orders on spring account are of large proportions; that prompt shipments are being demanded, and that the season has opened three weeks to a month in advance of the usual date. Business failures in the United States in the week ending Jan. 11 ' number 280, against 220 last week, 295 in the like week of 1905, 315 In 1904, 234 in 1903 and 291 In 1902.—Bradstreet's Commercial Report.