The Topeka state journal., 1902-11-08

the liabilities for October were less than
in all but one of the past ten years.
Prices show greater steadiness, those
increasing or remaining unchanged far
outnumbering those declining. With in
creasing movement some weakness in
the cereals and cotton is noticeable, but
this is construed favorably because be-
ing likely to encourage export business,
which, however, compares quite favor
ably with the last fiscal year despite
prevailing high prices. The labor stu
alton is quiet and favorable influence
for continued peace is the disposition on
the part of the railroads to grant wage
advances.
"A feature of trade is the immense
volume of merchandise moving to west
ern consumers. Railroads report cars
and locomotives both scarce. New buy
ing for spring account is of good volume
and holiday trade is increasing. On the
Pacific coast business is very active and
exports of flour and lumber-the former
to Asia-are of enormous volume. At
the south warmer weather has allowed
of the continued maturing and close
picking OF the cotton crop and estimates
of the final yield tend upward. Eastern
markets report increased demand from
the cSal regions, offsetting less actiVe
wholesale demand from other sections.
Retail trade is improving and a
heavy business is looked forward to.
seasonable changes. Hog products are
quite firm in sympathy with lard,
which is practically eornered.
Cotton goods remain quite active and
strong despite the shading. in raw cot
ton. The WOolen goods trade is improv-
ing and the predicted advance of 8 per
cent on some lines has been secured
without much difficulty. Raw wool is
very firm and supplies are closely held.
Iron and steel show little change.
There is a possibility that the lul
in the demand for iron noted of late has
been misunderstood. With the immense
output for next year already booked,
Steadiness in the cruder forms seems
absolutely certain. but the question
whether present prices for finished ma.
terial will curtail consumption is yet to
be settled The fuel situation is con-
ceded to have an important bearing.
Coke is very scarce and fully a score OF
eastern furnaces are banked. Inde-
pendent producers are getting from so
cents to 81 per ton more than the quo
tatlOns set by the leading producers.
There is a waiting tendency in the i'm
port trade and new business is not
large. Steel rail makers are still busy
and an immense tonnage will have to be
carried over into next year. Car build
ers are purchasing large quantities or
plates for next year. The reductions in
the prices of tin plates were rather
larger than expected. Some other pro-
ductS are weak. Western furnace men
have no iron for immediate delivery and
hesitate to sell ahead because of the
uncertainty as to fuel.
Small dealers in lumber are less ac-
tive, but wholesalers report manufac-
turers still behind on orders. A new
war has broken out in the sugar trade
the Pacific coast beet product contest
ing eastern markets with that of cane
Raw sugar is firmly held on the ex-
pected worlds crops being shorter, but
the refined is weaker partly owing to
the war talk and partly because the
canning season is about over. Com
plant that there is no profit in the
leather business still continues Hides
seem to be the keynote of the situation
and as they remain firm they give tone
to the entire market. The rubber goods
trade is in excellent shape.
Business failures in the United States
Tor the week ending Thursday, Noveln-
Der 6, number 14S as against 1914 last
week, 191 in this week last year I61 in
1900, 18Z in 1899 and 187 in 1898 ;,