Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-23

cpltapS reductions nave been made,
but they have been brought about
gradually and naturally. without dis
turbing the trade, and no sharp tuln-
bic 4 n values is expected unless this de-
Nelopment insthe Wire trade Should pro-
3duce such an effect.
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.
Trade is good or trade is quiet"
are notes sounded from various centers.
as reported BY Dun.
In Chicago the demand is active for
provisions and prices again advanced
last week. Grain is somewhat weaker,
altlao moderately active Available.
supplies are large and the European
demand quiet. New buildings are 81.
per cent less than last Year Lake nay
igation has opened and there is a large
demand for men on the vessels. The
large amount Of freight offered indi-
Gates a prosperous season. Mercantile
collections are fairly prompt, and the
retail trade has been the best for some
time. Department stores are especially
q =
busy OH orders delayed until this week
by bad Weather. Mail orders are also
numerous and OF a satisfactory charac-}
ter. Travelling men report fall sales in-s
creasing, and house dealings in the
principal staples maintain a good aver
age. Especial activity is noticed in
dress goods, millinery, silks. straw
goods, linens, ladies suits, waists and
schildren's and mems clothing.
In Philadelphia money is easy and
good commercial paper is quickly
taken. Wool is dull and demoralized.
manufacturers showing no desire u
purchase a present prices. Lower.
prices are expected. Manufacturers OF
hosiery and knit goods report satisfac-
tory orders, but they claim that high
prices sor material lsase them little,
margin for profit. Carpet makers are,
we'll employed. Brick manufacturers
are again in full operation one COM
5pany having received an order for H.
.HVpVVs " ttiiipNi plIShsa y pisf eNiilS ~
Havana. The recent advance in prices
sof lumber is we'll maintained Prices
are also firmly held in hides and leath-5
err but buyers only purchase for inns
mediate needs. manufacturers and
Ejobbers in shoes report conditions inn
proved. The volume of sales of build
ing hardware increases, and carriage
builders report activity, specially for
1.-THE better class of goods, which is also
true of carriage hardware
Boston reports that merchandise
markets are generally quiet both in.
wholesale and retail tines. Fad weather
still prevails turnout New England
and the usual spring ira d is retarded.
Boot and shoe manufacturers report
business Unusually slow in fall goods.
and Factories are rapidls. completing
contracts 50 that much machinery is,
Idle.
At Baltimore the retail trad E shows a,
marked Improvement, especially in nils.
linery. dry goods and mems wear. Dry
goods jobbing is inactive: spring sales
Of clothing are one-third larger than.
last year; St eady Improvement in boots
and shoes.
In Pittsburg there is less activity in
liror and steel, with some quotations
declining. The suspension of several
plants by the American Steel and Wire
Company had 70 effect
In Cincinnati there is activity in gro
ceries, dry goods and notions, while
machinery lines report a large export
business. Collections are generally sat
isfactogy.
At Canadian points general business
stt3s's some Improvement and coi!ec7
1 ttons are fair as weather the i'm
! proves
At Grand Rapids furniture nanufac-
4 tirers complain Of light spring orders,
but jobbing is generally fair. and
money continues in good demand.
At MINNEAPOLIS and st. Paul general
spring business continues to show i'm
4 proyement and prospects are encour-
\ aging, with prices We'll maintained.
st. Louis reports tina the retail trade,
s including and following Easter week,
4 has been good. Millinery and dry goods
/ dealings are above the average for the
season, and in mems clothing there 10
\ a material Increase. with Ii TO 40 per
4 cent increase in tailoring and higher
class goods. In jobbing renewed or
4 ders are heavy from merchants direct
/ and travelling statesmen.
In the south trade averages fair at
some points and is quiet at others as
the result Of excessive rains.
4 San Francisco reports that early crop
4 estimates need some modification.
1 Grain is already beginning to head in
1 more advanced stations, and the yield
will be nearly as good as last year. Hay
is being cut. Fruit trees and vines in
exposed districts have suffered slightly
II from frnst and 90 a