Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 March 1907 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

CHICAGO. Along with the advent of spring bus!* ness generally is seen to have acquired further momentum. No corresponding period in previous years was entered upon with production, distribution and transportation more largely engaged, and it is a remarkable index of industrial strength that demands and costs exhibit no reaction. Labor problems attract attention? bus she difficurtles obfain prompt treatment, thereby avoiding the danger from a spread of strikes; A gratifying feature is the improvement in railroad facilities, less complaint of car shortaga now being current. Distributive trade has responded promptly to the stimulus of seasonable weather. The wholesale markets are yet attended by many outside buyers, heavy purchases of spring and summer merchandise make a healthy reduction of warehouse stocks, and there is little diminution in the pressure upon shipping rooms, country merchants insisting upon prompt forwardings. Despite high rates for money the commercial demand is well kept up, western collections make a good showing and failures are comparatively low in both number and liabilities. Bank clearings, $243,145,727, exceed those of corresponding week in 1906 by 20.8 per cent. Failures reported in the Chicago district numbered 20, against 25 last week and 30 a year ago.—Dun’s Review. - NEW YORK. Spring trade is at its height, and the turnover bids fair to exceed even last year’s, the stimuli being furnished by more favorable weather, the approach of Easter and the visits of country merchants to the larger centers. lin pro vement is reflected all around, even in the Northwest, which now. appears to be getting back to normal conditions. In fact, doubt as to the future is nowhere in evidence in the great producing sections of the country. In some ix>jnts in the West sales of dry goods on spring account are fully 10 per cent above those of last year, ' while fall business thus far placed is also in excess of that booked at this time in 1906. While the car situation in the West has improved, conditions in the East are worse, but nevertheless a greater movement of cereals to market may now be expected. Business failures in the United States for the week ending March 21 number 157, against 186 last week and 170 in the like week of 1906. Canadian failures for the week number'32, against 23 last week and 29 in this week a year ago.—Bradstreet’s Report.