The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-19

bulk Railway needs do not diminish.
despite the enormous amount of work
already placed, and agricultural imple-
ment makers are fully employed. A
tools has occurred, averaging nearly
104c. 1t was expected mills and fOun-
dries would resell pig iron, owing to the
high premiums Obtainable, but this fac
tor has had no appreciable effect as yet,
most consumers requiring all the ma
terial received.
Manufacturers of cotton goods hold
prices steady, and there has been dis
tinct increase in demand during the
past week, although buying is only for
imperative requirements, the disposition
to delay purchases being still evident
No concessions are offered by holders,
indicating the we'll sold current condi-
ton and confidence as to the future.
Some curtailment of spinning is report
ed at southern mills, the tendency be-
ing to wait until new crop cotton comes
forward Export trade has increased
through buying for India, but China is
less of a factor than usual. New lines
of lightweight woolens and worsteds
have opened at unchanged prices, and
the increase activity of mills has aroused
more interest in the raw material,
which tends to advance. Eastern shoe
larger producers refusing contracts
calling for delivery before October.
Prices are firmly held.
Crop prospects have continued favor
tive influences, there was a gradual de-
cline in prices. Cotton rules steady the
outlook for liberal yield being bal
anced by the strong statistical posi-
ton.
Failures for the week numbered 213
in the United States, against 1913 last
year, and 20 in Canada. against 81 last
year.
Bradstreet's says:
Weather. crop and Industrial de-
ve1opnlents have been largely favorable
and, coupled with the great ease of
money, make an optin istic feeling in
trade and speculation AS stated some
time ago and confirmed by recent devel-
opn ents, the future seems more and
more secure, but the Immediate pres
ent does not in all instances present Sc
weather has continued to help retail
distribution, but has not in all cases
made up for the disadvantages caused
by the heretofore backward season.
With few exceptions. summer resort
business has not equaled expectations.
Railway earnings are really fattering.
June returns of nearly 100, 900 miles of
road showing an aggregate gain of
per cent ON last year. In the matter Of
actual business Improvements is noted
in the demand for finished product of
iron and steel, and lumber seems to be
recovering from the temporary depres-
sion noted at the beginning of July.
The shoe trade, and naturally hides and
leather, heretofore backward. have be-
gun to show a favorable SIDE and the
strength of wool and wooden goods is
trade, taken as a whole, is rather quiet,
but increased interest Is rather to be
expected.
the country over and corn and cotton
reports are generally more favorable.
The southern peach yield has been
large, and fruits generally have done
well.
Iron and steel trade conditions are
surprisingly good, to none n ore SO than
the manufacturers themselves, who at
the middle of July find their output for
the last half Of the year practically
booked. The scarcity of pig iron
amounts to something approaching a
famine owing to restricted supplies Of
fuel, causing shutdowns OF numerous
eastern furnaces.
Numerous orders for pig iron for
the first half of next year have been
booked both by northern and southern
furnaces The position of the latter has
been much improved by the settlement
of the coal miners strike in the Bf,--
mingham district. Heavy sales of fin
ished material are reported at Chicago
and Pittsburg this week. Bar iron,
structural material rails and in fact
all of the heavier forms, note special ac-
tivity. Implement manufacturers have
been free buyers. Hardware has been
exceptionally active. Some western
shovel manufacturers report an unpre-
cedented output and sale of this class
of material. Wire cloth is active and
large orders for material are reported
booked. Machinery, saws and stoves are
active at the west. Prices note few
changes and are at the top in practical
! ly all lines.
'Woolen goods are still quiet in the
east, but the reports as to the clothing
| business received from western and
southern manufacturers indicate a good
business. Wool is strengthening per-
ceptily, eastern quotations being NC
higher. and the tone is more optimistic
in this trade, helped, as it is, by firmer
prices in London. It has been a waiting
market for cotton, the crop position not
being as yet clearly defined to induce
new commitments. A better tone is no.
ted in the manufacturing branch, par
ticular1y in print cloths, which are said
to be increased in inquiry at Fall River
1.-THE industrial situation is better