The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-23
DUN'S REPORT.
Markets Generally Good and Business
Satisfactory.


New York, March Pr. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review Of Trade says:
The position of general business is sat
isfactOry, being marked this week by
increased activity OF retail operations
throughout the west and in some At
lantic seaboard cities, which is consld-
cred the forerunner of a generally good
spring trade. New enterprise is reflected
in the largest demand in many months
for builders hardware and general ma
terials and contracts for prompt delly-
cry of all structural goods are very dl1-
fcult to place. Collections are prompt
and railway tonnage is well maintained
Earnings OF all<railroads for the month
of March to date show a gain OF lu,S
per cent over last year and 36 per cent
over 1899. The gains extend to prac-
ticaIly the whole country The textile
industry alone does not improve. Short
time has been adopted by Fail River
cotton mills and there are reports tnat
some of the southern weaving mills are
about to curtail production but this has
been without special effect upon demand
for either print cloths or heavy brown
Quota tons of pig iron and finished
steel tend toward higher leVeA ne t-
is till the wholesome element OF con-
servatism which prevents violent nuc-
tuations and keeps the ADVANCE AT
moderate rate but the tendency or the
market is undeniably toward belter
things The most conspicuous strength
is apparent in Bessemer pig, Whlcn now
commands ST at Pittsburg. while steel
bfIlets have sold at $24 and high carbon
bilIets reached $50. Steel bars are 81 per
ton higher and structural shapes are
firmly maintained with every eNpecta-
ton of an advance While these quo
tations show moderate gains, much
higher rates are paid for immediate oe-
livery and small amounts.
A short time ago it was expected thar
new ore prices would be much lower BIZ,
the remarkable strength OF products Will
tend TO sustain values OF the raw ma
feriaI New high records are constantly
established for coke in the Connellsviile
region and prices are firm Among TIE
minor metals further depression IN I'D
was the feature. The amount Of cotton
coming forward at the south indicates
thar plantation stocks are by no means
exhausted, and preparations Tor the ne"
crop promise an enormous acreage
Footwear is firmly maintained, for So
ME lines although high priced grades are
easier Some decrease IN demand does
not disturb producers, as factories are
b1lsv on contracts that viii require
months to fill Buyers who left BostDh
RECENTLY are now sending in orders tree-
~. Especially is this noticed in the 10
cal market for patent and enamel snoes-
Leather is in good demand, but quofa-
tiors are unchanged
Hides at Chicago have declined stead
iIv for two months, the net fah IN the
average of ten grades amounting 70 -
Der cent. Despite the weakness IN 40
nestle lines, foreign hides are tenol1e
Special reports telegraphed this week
indicate that the winter wheat crop IS IN
good condition and an unusaliy heavy
acreage was planted at the southVsest,
while ravages by Hesslan ny nave 49,
exaggerated
FaiIures for the week numbered 224 n
+re Tinted States, against 1873 last year,
and SO in Canada. against 81 last year.