Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1907 — COMMEPCIAL FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMEPCIAL FINANCIAL

CHICAGO. In view of the unusually favorable conditions it is hot surprising that returmr indicate Easter trade to have exceeded in volume all previous experience, the remarkable buying having extended not only to the seasonable lines, but also into the luxuries. In other respects the week’s developments afford much reason for sustained confidence in the business outlook. Labor difficulties cause less alarm than a year ago, anef the controversy with railroad workers ' presents no differences not amenable to conciliation. Despite the high cost of money commercial borrowing shows no failing off, official statements of the banks exhibiting an aggregate of loans at the highest point recorded, an evidence of soundness ih the fundamental basis of activity. The markets for staple merchandise remain largely drawn upon, many outside buyers making heavy purchases of spring* and summer stocks". Transportation runs more easily and the movement of freight of all kinds surpasses the enormous bulk at this time last year. Mercantile collections in the West maintain satisfactory promptness and no special features attend the defaults, which are yet of small numbers. Bank clearings, $224,448,076, exceed those of corresponding week in 1906 by 18.8 per cent. Failures reported in the Chicago district numbered 22, against 20 last week and 20 a year ago. —Dun’s Review of Trade. -\

NEW YORK. Bright, warm, almost summer weather, stimulating alike to retail trade and crop progress, a cessation of liquidation in securities and in easing of strain in the money markets, so far as the April I periqd is concerned, are the notably favorable features in an encouraging week. Reports as to eastern demand are of a record trade, thus crowning a threV months’ period which, except in a few sections, has exceeded any preceding year, and the only drawback in which has been the getting of goods in sufficient volume to supply demand. Collections are still backward, which is attributed variously to slow deliveries of goods, congestion of farm product deliveries and finally to the heavily increased volume of past trade. Money is still high, a long period of this condition is apparently in sight and there is a disposition to await a clearer view of the future before extensive commitments are made. Business failures in the United States for the week ending March 28 number 166, against 157 last week and 169 in the like week of 1906. Canadian failures for the week number 21, against 32 last week and IS in this week last year. Wheat, including flour, exports from the United States and Canada for the week ending March 28 aggregated 2,707,566 bushels, against 1,878,614 last week “**« **-! — -J- LmJi the last thirty-nine weeks of the fiscal year, 130,591,045 bushels, against 102,988,756 in 1905-06. Corn exports for the week are 1,844,633 bushels, against 2,508,786 last week pnd 2,043,479 a year ago. For the fiscal year to date, 51,666,850 bushels, against 94,869,750 in 1905-06. —• Bradstreet’s Commercial Report.