Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1908 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

CHICAGO. The favorable developments is banking ■ conditions this -week provide an encouraging basis for early improvement in the industrial situation. Aside from the immediate effect in strengthening sentiment, v -. there are features which testify to betterment. The volume of payments through the banks is seen to oe the largest in eleven weeks, and factory operations furnish employment to an extent which rapidly reduces the Idle ranks of labor. A largely increased commercial mortality' may excite comment, but this really adds to stability by the elimination of concerns suffering from organic weakness. New demands make an improving exhibit in iron and steel, land other branches are more disposed to production. There is less apprehension as to advancing undertakings requiring heavy outlays in construction and building work. Railroad plans are nearer the time of initiation and much activity is probable should the cost of financing become more inviting. V Distributive trade continues of seasonable extent. Dealings in the leading retail lines bring gratifying reductions in winter stocks, and wholesale operations gather strength from an increasing presence of visiting buyers. Failures reported m the Chicago district number 47, against 36 last week and 22 a year ago. Those with liabilities over $5,000 number It), against 7 last * week and oin 1007. —Dun’s Review. ,

NEW YORK. A further easing in the financial situation and very general reports of improvements in collections are the leading features this week. In trade lines, weather and snow have helped retail tributions somewhat, but price reduction sales are generally credited wifE*responsibility for whatever expansion has been shown" iff that branch as a whole. Wholesalers and jobbers report,sentiment improved, collections benefited to normal in domestic money njarkeis, but trade demands are still below'the normal, and fn some sections a late and small spring trade is predicted. Business failures in the United States for the week ending Jan. 1G number 431, against 435 last week and 235 in the like week of 1907, 27p iullOOG, 304 in 1905, and 206 in 1904. Canadian failures for the week number 44, as against 63 last week and 23 in this week a year ago. —Bradstreet’s Report.