Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1906 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

Chicago. Shutting down for renewlals is seen in the industrial branches, this affecting but slightly the aggregate of production. Never before has the accumulation of forward demands been greater, particularly in steel, fatrsquipinent and shipbuilding. and with further additions to bridge, track and other construction the outlook makes a gratifying impression throughout business and financial circles. Xlucli of the healthy tone is based upon the crop conditions, these having thus far fully equaled expectations. Holiday dealings in the leading retail lines rose to a new high record for this dtv, and preparations -in the wholesale district are well advanced for the visiting buyers due next week. Xlercantile collections are seasonably prompt and defaults this week below the normal. Outdoor work has suffered no interruption, building operations being pressed forward and considerably heavier than those of a year ago. No change affects prices Tu the raw m'd-"""" terial markets, but pig iron and hides are firmer. Receipts of hides, live stock and lumber were lighter, but iron ore, fuel, wool and grain gained. The total quantity of grain handled at this port, 6,194.098 bushels, compares with 7,030,798 bushels last week. Receipts increased 29.3 per cent, but the shipments dropped 33.7 per cent under those of last year. Lumber receipts were 45,691,000 feet, against 45,720,000 feet last week.

Bank clearings. $203,932,945, exceed those of the corresponding week in 1905 by 14.4 per cent. The large expansion is due mainly to heavy dividend payments, Offerings of commercial paper have been of moderate extent and money ranged from 5 to 0 per cent. Failures reported in the Chicago di»triet number 9, against 15 last week and 15 a year ago. =‘“'

Seasonably quiet condiNew York* tions have appeared in ’many commercial departments, the first week in July invariably bringing the minimum of activity in certain occupations, but preparations for unprecedented fall and winter trade increase with the maturity of the crops. Failure returns for she first half of 1900 showed pronounced improvement in every department except one, embracing occupations chiefly of a speculative nature, and the ratio of defaulting liabilities to solvent payments through the clearing houses during the last three months was only 73 cents to SI,OOO. Failures this week were 133 In the United States, against IGO last year, and 12 in Canada, against 21 last year. —Dun’s Review of Trade.