The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-06
STILL AHEAD.
Regardless Of Unreasonable
Weather Trade Is Good.
Business Activity in Excess of
Other Years.
RETAIL.TR BETTER
AS the Result Of the Change to
Cooler Weather.
Continuation of Low Temper
atures Considered Desirable.

New York, Dec. 6.-R- G. Dun & Co.'s
Weekly Review of Trade says:
aside from the interruption to retail
trade in winter goods at many points
by unseasona BILE weather, business ac-
tivity continues in excess of previous
years and it is probable that all the
postponed trade will be made up. now
that low temperature has become gen.
eral. While the warmest November on
record at the east affected sales of
clothing, it helped to restore the fuel
equilibrium. Manufacturing plants are
well engaged, and an evidence of the
successful season is found IN much
larger Fall River dividends The course
of commodity prices is shown by Dun's
Index Number, which was $100.449 on
December 1. against $99.75 on November
1, and $10137S on December 1, 1901.
Higher prices for dairy and garden pro-
ducts account for the rise during No
venEer, but it is particularly gratifying
to the consumer that the present level
is nearly 1 per cent. lower than at the
corresponding date last year. This
change in also in foodstuffs. where the
cost OF living was abnOrmally expanded
by short crops in 1901.
Cotton mills have light stocks and the
demand, although quiet, is sufficient to
prevent accumulation of goods in first
hands. Export trade in heavy brown
cottons is unsatisfactory Recorder de-
mands for light weight woolens are linn
tied, and there is much Conservatism in
placing spring business because of the
slOwness with which seasonabIe goods
are moving. Owing to heavy initial or
ders, however mills are busy. A fur
tier advance in raw wool gives a bet
ter value to the finished products, but
selling prices are without alteration.
New orders for spring shoes are still
coming forward. although the bulk Of
the seasons contracts have been closed
at New England shops, and some plants
ADril.
'Irregularity is reported in the iron
and steel market, most departments
having much business while a few are
seeking new orders and seem disposed
to make slight concessions Stability is
naturally most conspicuous in those di-
visions where it has been POSSIBLE to
Brevent imitation. while in cases of ex-
IRENE pressure and high premiums for
early delivery, the imports that have
been attracted hither have demoraliz-
ing effect In view of the scarcity OF
coke, 1t is not easy for domestic produc-
and when any material reduction is
made it may be found that foreign con-
Germs will also cut prices.
Thus far. however, only a slight ten
dency is noted in the direction of cheap
er iron and in such products as steel
rails and Structural material the con-
sumner cannot hope for early concessions.
AS it is well known thar much business
is held back by high prices there is no
prospect or dizziness in the near future.
Any decided reduction of quotations
would bring out these postponed orders.
Consequently the only disturbing fea-
ture in this industry continues to be the
Inadequate supply of fuel and even the
most sanguine do not anticipate a return
of normal conditions before spring
Farm products are remarkably well
sustained, considering the liberal guam
titles moved to market.
Statistics of failures during Novem-
Der disclose no weakness in the induS-
trial structure. On the contrary, there
is every evidence of strength"
Bradstreet's says:
''Seasonable winter weather, hitherto
conspicuously lacking, has come very
much into evidence this week, with the
result of expanding retail trade in win
ter goods, rubbers and wearing apparel
generally. Killing frosts have about
put a period to the marvellous fall sea-
son of 1902 and in the south the cotton
crop may be said to be made, so far as
/ further growth IS concerned. All the
usual seasonable changes have about
fcOme to pass. Dairy products and pro-
| duce generally are higher. Lake navi-
cation is about over iron ore shipments
have ended after the greatest movement
on record and the wheat crop has gone
into winter quarters With q fair cover
ing of snow in northern ATTITUDES and
with very generally satisfactory con-
dition ruling throughout much of this
! admittedly large acreage. HeSsian fly
| damage to some of the early sown and
| too rank growth in the southwest are
the only complaints heard Of Thresh-
ing is about completed in the northwest
and farmers display more Willingness
to part with their products.
Gold weather from now on is needed
to insure the large movement of corr
expected IS the result of active export
and home demand. The years approach
ing end finds prices well up to The
highest point in eighteen months, though
meats, an important element in fooC
supplies, are steadily declining on gooc
receipts. Next to the expectations, al.
ready partly realized, that an enormous
holiday business will be done, the mos
notable feature is the practical unanim-
ity of opinion that large spring trade
is in prospect. ground for this being fur
nished by the unprecedented volume Of
such business already booked. The fea-
ture in foreign trade is the turn in the
tide of corn exports, which have at las
begun to expand after fifteen months o.
scarcity, high prices and trifing ship
na-tss
trade acts as a SuDportin Feature, fol-
some lines, but it is noted That poor ex.
port business has affected brown ant
bleacEed cotton, which can be had a
easier quotations. Wool is strong arC
active and still tends higher, while tn.
manufacturers are busy on orders
Shoes are in better demand al retail and
with jobbers. but manufacturers ar,
quiet as vet, and eastern shipments ar
10 per cent behind last year. Hides arr