Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1906 — COMMEPCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMEPCIAL AND FINANCIAL

:—.— The principal developflljcano tnents in commerce reflect - ‘ I unstained progress, seasonable stimulus appearing in manufactures and distribution of necessaries. Aside from exciting conditions in pis iron, other leading industries hint demands well sustained, heavy construe“tlori' arid Trans»ortation show'hugiriciitation, while dealings in the staples steadily expand and furnish excep tioual activity among jobbing branches in fall and winter goods. Fine weather and an enormous Influx of visitors have brought a gratifying increase of business to State street. Money circulates frCely, trading defaults are small, and the purchasing power of tire people makes favorable comparison with " former periods. Advices from tlie tributary territory point to tlie strong uaiidal position of. the agricultural :.teres|j;,;a:ndwhpleKwme:ittfiu»bY^:imß^-_;-in enlarged country store operation:!, depleted stocks of monhandiso. Another strengthening element is expanded deposits of country banks and ability to'take care of crop moving needs* to a greater extent limn heretofore. '~7" — — ; — l ——r"""” The markets for grain and provisions ■present a lower average of values and lessened demands, but this is.not sur--prfadny in view _of. the plenteous sup •piles. In other branches of activity conditions maintain much strength. Denjauds for finished products of the mills, and factories show equal absorption, amt this involves miditionnl pressure -AHMtti. facilities. Railroads order not only liberal tonnage of rails, but also much required rolling stock and miscellaneous material. Bank clearings, $200,475,028, exceed “those of corresponding week in 1005 by 11,2 per cent. Failures reported in Chicago district number 28, against 24 last week aud 30 a year ago.—Dun's Review of Trade. fT T 7 ~| Abundant crops and an nBV lOriL oversold steel industry engender sentiments of confidence that make the outlook bright for a continuance of present prosperous business conditions. Each week brings a new high water mark in some department, and the net result is unW formly better than for the correspond- : ing week in any previous year. The) weather has favored both crops and the distribution of merchandise, while the-latter is increased by seasonable bargain sales. Despite unprecedented preparations for business by liberal purchase of rolling stock, the railways are facing a serious traffic blockade that cannot be avoided when tlie crops begin to move freely. Earnings tints far reported for August were 11.7 per cent larger than last year. No relief appears as to.the supply of labor, production being reduced in some cases where consumer* are most urgent. Fall dry goods jobbing trade broadens, elotli ing manufacturers make heavy shipments and the leading industries are usually supplied with orders assuring active machinery well Into next year. July foreign commerce for the whole country fur surpassed the same month in any previous year, especially as tc imports, which were close to the largest in any previous month, and at this port alone for the last week there were gains of $5,891,408 in imports and sl. 519,833 in exports as compared with the same week in 1905.