Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1907 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

CHICAGO. While js a more conservative tone permeating business eireles, fall activity in the leading indimaaies Is more defined and of encouraging magnitudeProduction reflects no appreciable falling off, but operations would be conducted with greater ease were the tension less in money and cost of supplies. Transportation facilities by both rail and lake are severely tested by increased gaaerxl freight •ferfegs and marketing of crops, and with this gratifying condition in evidence it is not clear that commerce's undergoing shrinkage. New demands continue strong for factary materials to complete contracts which run far ahead, especially in steel, forge, car and machinery construction. The most active branch at present is that of staple merchandise, the absorp- _ comparing favorably with a year ago in textiles, footwear and food prsducts. The attendance of visiting buyers includes many from distant points, and their liberal orders indicate sustained confidence for satisfactory sales throughout the agricultural communities. Local retail distribution is of seasonable extent. Mercantile collections in the West occasion little complaint, and defaults compare favorably with last year in both nnmbers and liabilities. Marketings of crops indicate that growers are disposed to secure the current! -3 high returns.- The general demand for breadstuffs is well sustained and the shipments run heavier than a year ago. Live stock and provisions are in ample supply and the absorption is good for both domestic and ioreign needs, jBank clearings, $243,013,097, exceed those of the corresponding week in 1900 fey 15.8 per cent. ; ■; Failures reported in the Ghieago district numbered twenty-three, against twenty-three last week and twenty-two a year ago, those with, liabilities over so,000 being only two in number. —Dun’s Review.

NEW YORK.

Whether attributable to the improvement in the general financial situation or because of favorable weather allowing of additional crop development, there is.a perceptibly better feeling in general in commercial lines. Retail trade has hardly been as brisk as desired or expected, because the warm weather while helping crops, has not stimulated fall buying to any great extent. Reports as to jobbing trade so far this fall are, in the main, favorable, though the undertone of conservatism Is still perceptible. Business failures in the United States for the week ending Sept. 19 number 179, against 172 last week, Iff! in the like Canadian failures for the week number forty, as against twenty-two last wee/ a'nd twenty-six in this week a year ago.— Bradstreet’s Report.