Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1906 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Chicago. 1

v Trade conditions generally continued satisfactory, more force having

developed In distributive branches together with an active demand in iron. In the successful exposition and its remarkable volume of sales the market here for automobiles shows gratifying advance. The lower temperature was quite beneficial to further large sales of heavy-weight apparel and footwear, retail stocks undergoing a desirable reduction. Wholesale dealings make a very good comparison with a year ago, the forward bookings having extended in leading staples, and, with an increasing number of buyers . present, house trade is more active th dry goods, clothing, men's furnishings, woolens and shoes. Mall orders from the Interior reflect well sustained buying for country stores. ——7’ “ Commercihl defaults compare favorably‘with last year, and, on a better offering of commercial paper, the discount rate is firmer at 5 per cent. ■ Manufacturing proceeds very steadily and a heavy demand for raw material has contributed strength to values, less weakness being apparent in quotations of hides and leather. Lumber and other building materials have been in exceptional request for early use, and growing activity appears in the woodworking lines, particularly mill work and furniture. The output of iron and steel in this district runs close to the limit of capacity, and, with an improved supply of cars, more promptness is effected in deliveries. Bunk clearings, $201,207,829, exceed, those of corresponding week in 1905 by 17. G per cent. , Failures reported in Chicago district number twenty-two, against thirty-two TasF ~week~an<l~thirty a year ago.— Dun’s Review.

York.

Spring trade in dry goods, clothing, shoes and millinery continues

to show expansion, despite the presence of winter conditions. Bank clearings are much smaller, reflecting decreased stock speculation, due to dearer money at the metropolis, a condition which looks artificial in View of the growing ease at all other centers. Collections are fair to good except in the South, where holding of cotton is a drawback, as for some time past. Summed up it may be said that there are a number of cross-currents visible, but’ a record spring trade is apparently all but secured and the future crop development will largely govern fall and winter trade, which as yet is of a small aggregate volume. Business failures in the United States for the week ending Feb. 15 number £O4, against 204 last week, 243 in the like week of 1905, 231 in 1904, 188 in 1903 and 228 in 1902. In Canada failures for the week number 28, as against 27 last week and 17 in this week a year ago.—Bradstreet’s Commercial Report.