The Topeka state journal., 1902-08-30
BREAKS ALL RECORDS.
Jobbing Trade in Excess of All Pre-
vious Augusts.

Jobbing Trade in Excess of All Pre-
vious Augusts
New York, Aug. 30.-Bra dstreets says:
August closes with jobbing accounts
active, apparently at its height in the
northern half of the country and the
total volume of the months operations
probably in excess of any similar PROD
uct In recent years. Active lnstrumen-
tai in bringing about this result are the
continued good crop prospects. AT the
south the annual diminution of cotton
crop conditions has developed as the re-
suit of hot, dry weather in the southern
half of the belt. Added to this is mucn
reported damage from insects in Texas.
Prices reflect the diverse reports from
the sections while being lower on good
weather (much of them below grade),
and lower cables. while cotton mas
sharply advanced, and the margin be-
tween old and new crop deliveries has
narrowed as the season OF 1902 draws
to close. Other farm products tend to
drift downward. Corn Is lower on good
weather, but good export business mas
developed.
Beef cattle receipts are heavy and
stockers and feeders are lower at whole
sale, while retail prices are expected to
follow. Prime cattle are, however re-
ported bringing full prices. Products
receipts are very large. but prices are
on the whole quite strong
Railway earnings thus far in August
are f1attering, being per cent larger
than year ago.
.At the east dry goods jobbing is ac-
tive at New York and cotton goods are
in rather better tone. aided materially
by the strength of cotton Wool is firm
and fairly active, with machinery well
employed. Leather is strong and ad-
vancing at all markets. Western manu-
facturers are reported advancing prices
of shoes. Eastern shipments are grow
ing larger. but are still below last year.
Lumber is active and firm. Good flax
seed crop prospects have depressed lin
seed oil.
1.-The scarcity of coke at the furnaces
grows more serious in the Pittsburg
and Chicago districts, and this limits
the supply of available pig iron and
discourages future sales. Pig iron is,
therefore, dull for this season, but
strong in price, with foundry grades ad-
vancing. The rail market is active with
western roads buying. In some in
stances old rails suitable for rerOlllng
are selling higher than the new rails
used to replace them. Foreign iron is
coming in freely and, as difficulties in
working foreign billets at Pittsburg are
being overcome, larger takings of this
material may be looked for. Large sales
of structural material, plates and mer-
chant bars are reported. Sheets are
rather stronger, but one-half Of the
country's tin plate works are reported
shut down. Sales of hardware are ac-
slow deliveries by manufacturers come
from them"
r. G. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Review of
Trade saws:
coal mining is encouraging, although
the OUTPUT is not yet sufficient to have
any commercial value. Business condi-
tions are unsatisfactory at the strike
center, but reports from all other Sec
tions indicate unusually prompt re-
.vival after the summer vacation season.
with exceptionally large operations
among dealers in the agricultural re-
gion. Notwithstanding some bad
weather, large crops are now prac-
tically assured.
Manufacturing plants are now fully
occupied, as rule. the least gratifying
not secure coke owing to railway block
ades. The transportation problem is
becoming serious, as the factor of crop
moving is about to be added and, more
over, much coal must be moved by rail
that usually goes to consumers by lake
and canal
Iron furnaces are suspending produc-
ton because coke cannot be secured,
and it is evident that the rate of out
put at the opening of the new month
will show a serious loss. This scarcity
of fuel was expected at the few plants
using anthracite coal, but has come as
a shock to the coke furnaces. for the
Connellsville ovens have steadily main
tanned a weekly production of 25O, 900
tons. Inadequate railway facilities are
responsible, and the situation is critical.
As the stocks of pig iron were very low
at the opening of August, consumers
are in an embarrassing position, and
there is a growing disposition to refuse
contracts. Imports are increasing and
numerous plans are reported whereby
the finished product may be exported
in order to secure the tariff drawback
These operations promise relief to
domestic consumers. and the railways
"The dry goods jobbing trade reports
liberal distribution, and supplies are
only moderate in the primary market
Changed conditions in the raw material
have accelerated inquiries for cotton
goods, buyers seeking figures on for
ward contracts and placing a fair
amount of orders There is also bet
ter demand to meet immediate require
ments, and exporters to Chicago are
again in the market for brown cottons
Slightly less activity is seen in mems
wear, wooden and wooden fabrics but
fancy worsteds are in better request.
AT last footwear makers have been able
to secure moderate advance in prices
in response to the recent sharp advance
in materials. Jobbers are no longer dis
posed to wait but place orders freely
Retailers are also pressing jobbers for
immediate deliveries of goods for cur
rent trade Leather is strong and active
while hides made higher record prices,
but the market has duieted down.
Deterioration from the exceptionally
brilliant early outlook for cotton gave
spectators an opportunity to advance
options nearly SIS a bale, and the deal.
ingS were heavy. Spot cotton was less
sharply advanced, although firm tone
DEVELOPED.
Failures for the week numbered It's
in the United States, against 202 last
year, and IA in Canada, against q a
year ago.
OF Interest to Kansana