The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-13
SCARCITY OFLABOR.
r. &. Dun & 60. Says 1t is Causing
Uneasiness.

New York. Oct. 13--R. G. Dun & Co.'S
Weekly Review of Trade says:
More seasonable weather has import
ant influence throughout the country,
but the coal strike continued as a. re-
straining factor in business As specu-
1ation everywhere is on a small scale,
the effect is minimized Lower prices
recently for some iron products nave
been without disturbing force and the
firm market for print cloths and strong
quot atoms for lum Der show that in some
directions IN the great industries a srnalI
increase in demand is capable OF raising
prices The situation still promises re-
cOvery when politics and the strike are
settled Distri button of merchandise at
the west is still very active Ihe work
ing force IS increasing steadily ana IN
railroad and manufacturing circles II
the middle west scarcity of labor is
causing uneasinesS. Fear of tight
money has made some hesitate, but
higher rates result from the activity of
the movement of cotton at high prices
in the south At the moment the move
ment of gold from Europe has tended to
relieve the tension in New York and gold
is still coming from Australia
Pig iron production has been further
reduced, according to the Iron Age On
October 1 the weekly capacity of FUR
naces in blast was 223. 169 tons, against
2S1, 77S September 1, and 296316 June l.
Stocks at furnaces continue to accumu-
late, gaining 36,S4l tons in September
A gratifying feature is the evidence that
supplies n CQnSUlleIS udHuS dIS 4ASAAl.
Quotations of iron products are steady,
and foreign buying continues, two con-
tracts of Importance being placed. Pipe
makers are buying quantities of pig,
while car and ship builders are also ur-
gent bidders for material
Much disappointment was apparent
among cotton traders when the official
crop report appeared, for the anticipa-
ton of a gloomy report had put the
price up to IL cents. When the state
Ineut indicated a point Improvement in
Texas in September prices dropped
sharply Wheat also declined without
the aid of a government report. Do
nestle conditions are generally satisfac-
tory and foreign crop news cheerful.
Corn remains steady in the face of the
decline in condition Foreign buying is
small. Atlantic exports in two weeks
amounted to 4, 81. SIS bushels, against o.
177.14S bushels last year Shipments OF
boots and shoes from Boston, at the
rate of IS AS cases weekly, mean the
most active business since April and ex-
coed the heavy forwarding Of last year
Improvement is general, with orders
from all parts of the country and ire
auent requests for immediate shipment.
The signs that excessive Accommodations
have become distributed are encourag-
ing. Leather is sharing in the increased
activity at the shops and the average
price Of hides at Chicago advanced Il
per cent. Sales Of wool at the three
chief eastern markets steadily increased,
reaching {. 974, coo pounds, against 3,4lf,-
265 the preceding week There IS no
such speculation as year ago. but the
sales go Immediately in mills. Prices
London sales which had been discounted
Failures for the week were 22S in the
United States, against 164 last year, and
81 in Canada. against q last year