Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-13
BUSINESS FEATURES.

BUSINESS FEATURES.
While the expected slackness in retail
circles prevails to some extent follow
ing great holiday trade, Dun's review
notices that the buying of staple COM
modities is On large scale, at high
level, except in a few instances where
efforts were made to hold them above
the normal price. Extensive buying
dicates courageous expectation of the
continuance of good conditions.
In Chicago settlements in the banks
largely exceeded those of previous
years. Demands We're satisfactorily
met, and, considering the increased
dealings the promptitude and smooth
ness of adjustments creates very favor
able estimates of financial conditions.
Mercantile collections generally are
prompt. Deposits in all banks are swell
ing rapidly, but mostly in savings de-
partments, and money comes back in in
creasing amounts from the interior. Re
tail trade maintains unusual strength
in face of mild weather and after-hol-
iday dullness Wholesale advices are
gratifying.
Boston reports that the merchandise
markets are still rather quiet in whole
sale branches, trading for the new year
not having developed freely as yet. job
bers are not placing large orders for
footwear, owing to the higher prices
generally demanded by manufacturers,
which restrict business. The shops con-
tinue quite busy and the forwarding
movement is large.
At Plttsburg the iron and steel trade
starts out the new year with good pros
poets, the only detrimental feature be-
ing the failure of transportation facili-
ties to meet the demand of the produc-
ers. For few days shippers have been
afforded some relief from the car short
age, and while the railroads are ostensi-
bly, making some efforts to remedy the
evil of traffic congestion. shippers do not
hope for any great relief until the rail-
roads secure more motive power and
cars
In Cincinnati trade conditions gener-
ally are reported as satisfactory. show
ing substantial increase over last
years business.
In Minneapolis trade conditions open
up very favorably with the new year.
The outlook for the spring indicates a
large volume of business. Labor con-
tinues to be well employed. and the
opening of the saw mills for winter OPP
eratiors In different sections of the state
will furnish employment to many oth-
ers.
At st. Louis the business of the new
year has begun to shape itself. and the
outlook Is exceptionally good. Stock
taking has progressed rapidly, and the
showing is even better than anticipated.
Reports to the same effect come from
the country and are emphasized By the
receipt Of unusually large mail orders.
Kansas City reports that manufacture
ers and jobbers are feeling good over the
prospects for spring business.
San Francisco reports that little rain
has fallen In California for thirty days,
and grain feed stuffs. dairy products
and meats are higher in consequence,
with much rneasiness as to the future.
The winter so far is classed as dry, but
seasonable rains from now on will ma
ture large crops. Exports by sea for
the year were valued at s41 ,29i 900, ex-
elusive of Hawaiian Islands, estimated
at 81. 531, 400, making total of S52,s25.
ZOO Shipping trade with all countries
save Japan shows a gratifying increase.
At Tacoma the shipping industry dur
ing the past year showed an increase of
40 per cent over the preceding year.