The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-22
UNPRECEDENTED.
Il. G. Dun & Co. Says Prepare
tiOns for Holiday Trade
Have Never Been EquaIled in
the Country's History.
1T MEANS CONFIDENCE.
The Advance in Wages Of Rail-
road Employees
Indicates a Feeling of Security
Indicates a Feeling of Security
Regarding the Future.

New York Nov. pr. G. Dun & CO. :
Weekly Review saws:
voluntary increases in wages by
some Of the largest railway systems IN
the country bear eloquent testimony to
the amount OF business handled in the
past and emphasize the confidence OF
officials in continued heavy traflc
Moreover. by this addition of large sums
to the purchasing power of railway en-
ployes, there is assurance Of larger de-
mand for all staple lines of mercnan-
disc Temporarily, sales of seasOnable
lines OF wearing apparel are retarded by
mild weather but this loss viii be fully
made up when low temperature becomes
general. Preparations for holiday trade
are on an unprecedented scale, espe-
cially al interior points. There is no
relief as to the congestion If railway
traffic. nor any immediate prospect OF
free movements at the points of most
serious blockade. Coal freight is stead
lily gaining and all railway earnings thus
far reported 1or November exceed last
year by y.J I4r cent, and those OF 1910
by 1919 per cent Orders are now coming
forward for iron and steel products that
have been -eld back many months III
expectation of an easier market. In
stead OF ma king concessions, however
producers ask premiums for early deliV-
cry and hesitate to accept contracts
where material and fuel are not in sight
No relief is reported as to the movement
of coke nor is any anticipated for some
time to come: in fact. one authority
suggests that the situation will not be
normal before April Imports relieve
some departments of the industry.
Plans for constructive work are now in
creGsing, and very large tonnage of
structural material win be required. AS
the present congestion is Que to mad
eQuate fac. i-s, the most iD9ortunate
inquiry is railway equipment. ActiV-
ity is not ls III works making agricul-
tural in. .leuts, bolts and kindred
lines. Reee reductions in few of the
lighter z3ilAs stimulated dealings to a
fair degree. silver bullion declined to
the lowest .r-ce on record and copper
ana tn $3.50 r4ccded from former quo
tat1ons London was a conspicuous fac
tor in these changes.
Heavy lines Of dry goods and foot
wear neee the stimulus of cold weather.
\ fairly steady demand is reported for
staple cotton goods, but buyers are TAX
ing only Tor immediate requirements.
N et.--ness in the raw material gave an
easier tone to forward shipments. vet
the margin between spot and distant
deliveries is exceedingly. narrow while
the moderate recovery in raw cotton
quickly steadied the market for goods.
Orders for spring shoes are coming for
ward freely, and there is supplementary
buying of winter goods on a modera te
scale Retailers have much money tied
UP in rubber goods. for there has been
little demand Both sole and upDer
leather are quiet Foreign buying of
hemlOck is somewhat restricted. No
concessions are obtained on hides. ex-
cept where new offerings are Of infer
Tor quality. although stocks have in
creased and the western markets are
quiet Foreign dry hides are fully