Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1907 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

CHICAGO. In the disturbing developments of the week, dearer money, weakness in the security markets and the more embarrassing telegraphers’ strike, there are rea-’ons for conservatism in business undertakings. Aside from these drawbacks trade maintains a steady course, with preparations for fall activity more in evidence, new demands equaling expectations at this time in the manufacturing branches and the buying of general merchandise being stronger. Crop reports carry additional encouragement, seasonable weather having brought rapid progress in corn and spring wheat growth, and this increases confidence among the agricultural interests. Transactions make a satisfactory exhibit Tn the s|eel industry, especTally for rails, plates, wire and miscellaneous shapes, while, specifications cause further pressure upon capacity of rolling mills. Furnace output is yet in rapid consumption and bookings run well ahead'in this district, but commitments for the last quarter show hesitancy, buyers awaiting price concessions. Some shading in quotations of iron for future delivery is reported and copp< r is easier without bringing out important deals. Distribution of the necessaries and heavy materials is seen to be remarkably active and freight earnings of the t'hi"cago roads surpass the high records made a yeatmgo. Large numbers of interior buyers crowd the wholesale market for staple wares and the general buying makes substantial gain in dry goods, clothing. boots and shoes and food product';. , ~ The markets for live stock and provisions touched the highest—average-veiues — recorded this.year, owing mainly to smaller supplies of the former, but spot grain and flour were in slow request. The markets for live stobk aud provisions touched the highest average values recorded this year, owing mainly to smaller supplies of the former, but spot grain and flour were in slow request. Bank clearings, $221,560,168, exceed those of corresponding week in 1896 by 13.4 per cent. Failures reported in the jChieago district number 26, against 30 last week and 24 a year ago.—Dun’s Review. NEW YORK. ’“'"‘Cross currents in crop aud trade developments render generalization difficult. Dispatches to Bradstreet's point io -further favorable progress by leading crop-, notably corn, cotton and spring wheat, but excepting oats, reports from which are not favorable. In the Southwest, Northwest and at large eastern e. nfe -s sentiment as to fall trade has been help<-d by these developments, and fail buying is becoming more noticeable, as country merchants are coming in increasing numbers. In some of the large industries, however, there is quieter trade in some branclvs with prices easing. Business failures for the week in the Tinted Slates number 157, against 142 last week, 137 in the like week of 1906. 166 in 1905, 167 in 1904 and 160 in 1903. Failures in C.inndt number 18, against 16 last week nrrft 19 in the week a year ago.—Bradstreet’s Commercial Report. .