The Topeka state journal., 1902-11-08
Lack of Transportation Facili-
ties Still Delays Business.
More Freight Is offered Than
Can Be Handled.
A STEADY PROGRESS
Reported in Trade and Industry
by Dun.
Mills Are Far Behind in Orders
for Structural Material.

New York. Nov. S.-R. G. Dun e. Co.'S
Weekly Review Of Trade says:
Trade and industry are making
steady progress, reports from all sections
of the country containing evidences of
wholesome development. An unusually
large fall distribution occurred and cur
rent transactions in heavier goods are
liberal considering the season Com
plants of slow freight movement are still
heard, testifying to the enormous vol
ume of business handled by the rail
ways, which report earnings for October
As per cent. larger than last year and
14.2 per cent. above 1000 It is the eX-
ception when manufacturing plants
have not contracts assuring activity Tor
many months and annual inventories
will be taken with difficulty owing to
importunate customers. Prices of com
modities prOportioned to consumption,
as shown by Dun'S index number, de-
clined about l per cent. during October,
$99, ,5T9 comparing with 800 64S. The de-
crease occurred in meats and fuel, MAIN
ly the latter.
1.-THE only development of note in
the iron and steel market has been the
10 per cent. reduction in price of tin
plates to take effect December 1. While
some change was anticipated, the trade
was not prepared Tor so large cut.
The recent lowering of price lists in GER
tain sections of the market should slim
ulate foreign trade: there will be occa-
sion for qualification, as some exceD-
Gonal export movement is needed to
offset the heavy imports of pig iron and
billets Many furnaces have been COM
PEELED to bank because of the poor re-
ceipts Of coke and there is little evidence
of Improvement in the railway situa-
tion, motive power being utterly mad
equate.
Contracts run far into the future in
structural material for bridges and
buildings, while plates are sought by
car works and ship yards. High rre-
miums are still paid for prompt deliv-
cry, but most shipments are on old con-
tracts placed at regular list prices. Re
cent enlargement of facilities has great
1y increased production in many lines,
which explains the slightly easier tone
of the market a whole, but there is no
sound conditions.
Taking of inventories interrupts
work at New England shOeshops and
VIII probably occupy much of this
month, so that cutting will not begin
on the large contracts already placed
for delivery during the frs: quarter of
next year Shipments continue heavy
from Boston, each week of la record
Ing moderate increase over the cores
ponding period last year. The tone is
remarkably strong. Jobbing trade is
comparatively quiet, except in Pennsyl-
vania, and mild weather has restricted
retail sales Some decline in the raw
material did not produce any lower Of
fering prices for cotton goods, although
1t made buyers all the more anxious to
delay placing contracts AS a result,
tilt movement Is only LOT 1lQIneQ1aIe re-
quirements, but supplies of staple cotton
are not burdensome and there are COM
plants that old orders are not being
filled according to contract Export or
ders are limited. Business in woolens is
light. the chief inquiry being for sample
pieces, which are not delivered as rapid
" as desired. Quotations are fully main
tafned for woolens and worsteds, as
might be expected in view of the con-
tinued strength of WOOL"
Bradstreet's says:
"Jobbing trade has continued active
spring sales are of good volume: indi-
eating confidence and enormous ship
ments of all classes of merchandise have
congested the railroads already fully oc-
cupied in trying to move supplies of
fuel to consumers and grain crops to
market Warm weather early in the
week retarded retail trade and slightly
affected some collections but colder
weather west later stimulated demand
for heavy goods and gives promise of
bettering final distribution materially.
The mild, open fall season has, however,
been valuable to the farmer, enabling
complete farming preparations and in
suring a satisfactory beginning to the
wheat crop. besides allowing the late
cotton to mature and facilitating out
door work, such as building. Good col
lections are the rule, few exceptions to
this being noted, and these only where
rapid marketing of grain has been in
terfered with or retail demand for
heavy goods has been held in abeyance
Failures are fewer than last year, and