The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-15
BUSINESS IMPROVES.
A Confident Tone Impaired by
Government Crop Report.

New York. June 15--R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says:
Confirmation by the agricultural bu-
reau of recent private estimates OF the
wheat crop has given to business a tone
of greater confidence. Retail opera
tions both east and west are larger AMI
distribution of N erchandise by the
wholesale trade is increasing in dry
goods and boots and shoes. The labor
situation is gradually mending, with
the appreciation of the fact that IN
some directions manufacturers would
be glad of a temporary shutdown OF
works
Pig iron production on June was at
the rate of 314.5O5 tons weekly, accord
ing to statistics compiled by the Iron
Age. This is about the anticipated in
crease for May and establishes a new
high water mark. exceeding the pre-
viOus record by IL, $3.50 tons. An inter
esting feature of the situation is the de-
crease of furnaces in blast to 252. which
is A less than were actively employed
February J. 1900, when the weekly out
pu was 29S, 041 Although new orders for
pig iron have been light in recent weeks
actual deliveries on old contracts must
have reached a heavy total, for furnace
stocks June 1 were but 407, 723 tons,
decrease Of 3e,565 tons during May.
Conditions in this industry must be
satisfactory If material is taken faster
than it can be produced, notwithstand-
ing a, new record of output each month
Prices are easier, BeSSemer pig show
ing a loss of about 50 ton compared
with the quotation in February last
year, when the production was near
present figures. This absence of in
hation in prices is the best symptom in
the market, and precludeS a POSSIBLE
ity of a collapse like last year In fin
ished products there is great activity.
owing to the large amount of goods to
be delivered July 1. There is noted
especial urgency for immediate ship
N ent by consumers of plates, bars and
CHI
ing operations showing no diminution-
Seasonable weather has somewhat
aroused the dry goods market There
is not vet such activity that dealers are
overwhelmed but the various divisions
of manufacture are fairly occupied and
heavy supplies of print cloths at Fall
River have decreased. Lower quota
lions recently established had some eT
feet but the temperature was more
potent for good. F'orwar dings of foot
wear from Boston have averaged over
100 600 cases weekly for some time, and
shops are well engaged Fall contracts
are beginning to receive attention
Prices are steady. Retailers are receiv-
ing better grades of glazed kid shoes
without higher quotations. Local job
bling trade is very active Scarcity of
heavy sole leather sustains prices but
light weights are dull and weak.
Wheat declined to a more reasonable
level with withdrawal of speculative
support. The government report Of con-
dition on June / was chiefly responsible.
A crop this year equal to the greatest
ever harvested was indicated by the Of
fetal statement, there was heavy sell
ing of options, with a fall below so
cents for cash wheat at this city. For
eign buying promptly decreased with
the prospect of more satisfactory terms.
Exports on the Atlantic for the week,
flour included, We're 1885 9S3 bushels
against 4,52o. IA bushels in the previous
week, and 3081, 926 the same week last
year.
Corn also lost in value, although crop
news was not especially bright. Allan
tic exports are still unsatisfactory,
amounting to 21S7. 525 bushels. against
1896, $50 a year ago Notwithstanding
somewhat lower quotations for corn the
provision market has developed much
strength and pork products at the west
are receiving the attention of specula-
tors to an unusual extent, mess pork
rising to $15.75.
Failures for the week numbered 179
in the United States against 1872 last
year. and % in Canada, against q last
year