Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-05-26
BUSINESS FEATURES.

Duns report shows that the pas
week has seen many minor labor con-
troversies settled. but the situation IN
the anthracite coal region has assumed
a more serious aspect. Far from max
ing overtures toward an agreement.
both sides are preparing for stubborn
struggle. The next crisis will occur on
June 2, when the pump forces will stop
work unless their demands are granted.
Not only the miners. but most railway
and mercantile employees in the vicinity
Of the mines are idle, ard manufactur-
ing plants at other points using nara
coal for fuel must soon suspend opera
lions. Such loss in the purchasing
rover of a vast army of consumers will
he reflected in decreased distribution OF
merchandise if continued for any length
oe time. In bright contrast TO this adj
verse influence is the progress made IN
agricultural regions. where bad news is
the exception. Railway earnings con-
tinue satisfactory, roads reporting for
two weeks of May show gains of 6.1 per
cent over last year and 1874 per cent
over 1900. A more normal stock mar
ket in the same week last year makes
the comparison of bank exchanges less
distorted than OF late, altho there is still
sufficient loss in the volume of specula-
ton to produce a decrease of 23.4 per
cent in clearings, but compared with
the same week in 1899 there is gain
of 4.3 per cent. At leading cities out
side of New York the weeks exchanges
were IS per cent smaller than last
years and 30.3 larger than in 1899.
No change is reported in the iron and
steel situation, former conditions mere
~ becoming intensified by the threat.
ened decrease in supplies of fuel ana
the labor controversies in certain
branches of the industry. With stocks
utterly inadequate to meet require
ments it does not help matters to cur
tail productions. iet tiiiS seems aii
svoidable for the increase in the coke
ouput to the greatest tonnage ever re-
norted can not make up for the loss of
anthracite coal. New business is eX-
tremely limited at the leading centers,
not thru any lack of demand, but be-
cause the manufacturers hesitate to &C
cept contracts which they may unable
TO carry out. The railways are seeking
rails, rolling stock and other equipment,
while contractors require much struc.
.ural material. This business is usu-
ally accepted on condition that deliv-
tions have expanded, and in some cases
receipts from abroad are so poor in
quality that they would be rejected If
needs We're less urgent. Quotations are
fully maintained, With no Indication Of
concessions, but q general expectation
of new schedules Will be higher.
Shoe dealers are mixing some con-
cessions and trade in SHOES is some
what delayed by cool weather; leather
however holds firm; In the markets for
textile goods quiet conditions prevail,
buyers apparently being Wen supplied
for the present season and sellers car
lying only moderate stocks.
Liabilities of commercial failures in
three weeks of May were $5,692,63l, of
which s2,99l, 949 were in manufacturing
lines and $2,365,715 in trading. Fall
ures for the week numbered 1872 in the
United States, against $50 last year, and
twelve in Canada against twenty-five
last year.