Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1907 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

No important developments appear to detract from the underlying strength* which sustains confidence in the businessoutlook. Weather conditions were mainly favorable to operations and activity ismore evident in production and distribution. Leading retail lines find the generic demand steadily expanding, indicating that the purchasing power is undiminished, but there is some accumulation of lightweight apparel, which needs a warm wave to bring quick disposal. Wholesaledealings now show the effect of the between seasons period and current shipments dwindle, but forward buying for fall and winter supplies compares favorably with a year ago, and road sales_men obtain orders making a substantial aggregate in the principal staples. Notwithstanding the late spring and other adverse factors, farm conditions ii> both Illinois and lowa never before weremore encouraging, and land and stock values have advanced to the highest average. Mercantile credits remain quite satisfactory and money works easier, whiletrading defaults occasion little anxiety. Failures reported in Chicago district numbered 29, against 17 last week and 23 a year ago.—Dun’s Review of TradeNEW YORK. Cross currents in trade and crop conlitions prevent generalization. There hasbeen a further slight improvement in crop condition, This has made for a more optimistic feeling as to ultimateyields and future trade in the sections enjoying even, a small share of seasonable weather, but the great majority of cities and particularly those in the eastern half of the country complain of continued slow retail trade and collections. On the other hand the reports as to fall trade are quite satisfactory, a reflection possibly of the fact that retail stocks of heavy goods were well cleaned up last winter. Cropuncertainties and the fact that reorderbusiness this spring has been practically absent in many lines, however, induceconservatism as to future ordering and there is less disposition to embark freely in future commitments until the situation becomes clearer. Business failures in the United States* for th? week number 155, against 142" last week, and 162 in the like week of 1906. In Canada, failures for the week number 18, against 14 last week and 17 a year ago. Wheat, including flour, exports from the United States and Canada for the week ending June 6 aggregated 5,263,138 bushels, against 2,401,994 last week and 3,301,007 this week last year. For thelast forty-nine weeks, 160,944,898 bushels, against 128,627,113 in 1905-1906. Corn exports for the week are 1,135,065 bushels, against 864,255 last week and 573,139 a year ago. For the fiscal year . to date, 68,748,026 bushels, against 108,506,840 in 1905-1906. —Bradstreet’s Commercial Report.