The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-17
WEATHER AND WAGEs
The Only Serious Disturbing Factors
in Trade Situation.

New York, May 17.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says:
Weather and wages continue the only
serious disturbing factors in the bust
ness situation Excessive moisture and
low temperature make the crop outlook
more uncertain and much depends on
a continuance of prosperity in the agrl-
cultural sections On the other hand,
record breaking distributions Of pay in
the Pittsburg region accelerated retail
trade, while resumption of wooden and
other mills added largely to the active
force. Transporting lines continue to
make splendid exhibits, railroad earn
ings for the first week of May exceed
ing those of a year ago by 81 per cent
and surprising the same weeks earn
ings in 1900 by 1919 per cent.
AS was indicated by weekly reports,
pig iron production attained new rec
ord for the month Of April, at 1903. 1926
tons and the weekly capacity of fur
the Iron Age was S52.064 tons. far sur
passing all previous high-water marks.
Such an enormous production would
suggest accumulation of supplies, but
consumption easily keeps pace. furnace
stocks showing a decrease of about TO-
600 tons during April, to much the low
est point in recent years. With about
twenty more furnaces in course of con-
struction or completed, an annual out
put of 100000 tons is no longer con-
sidered remote, while the current year
may exceed 100000 tons If no serious
labor controversy or other calamity in
terferes. Quotations continue to vary
widely, according to date Of delivery,
and there is less spot business owing to
scanty supplies and to the growing ten
dency Of consumers to place orders for
future delivery. There is now very lit
tie evidence Of buyers holding off for
break. Rails and structural supplies
are ordered freely for delivery next
year.
Footwear manufacturers at the east
report an increased volume of orders
from western jobbers, but wholesalers
in the principal eastern centers are
placing few fall contracts. Retailers
are only sending moderate duplicate or
ders for summer goods, fair supplies re-
naming of early purchases. Sole leath-
er is quiet. Hides again secured q mod
crate advance in prices. both for do
mestic and foreign. In the dry goods
market there is evidNnce of increased
buying Tor fall and next spring. but
only small supplementary orders for the
present season. Cold weather has re-
tarded jobbing trade at many points.
Domestic trade in cotton goods is steady
with supplies in strong hands, but ex-
port business is dull. More liberal de-
tveries of wooden goods are reported,
showing that fewer looms are idle The
best demand is for staple lines Of mems
wear and medium grades of fancy
woolens.
" nile II IS generally agreed lnal
there has been much Improvement IN
the winter wheat states since the open
ing of the month, prices became some
what firmer upon the publication of the
official report of condition on May 1.
Exports for ten months of the crop
year assure the heaviest outgo ever re-
corded, even II the last two months
make poor exhibits. For the past week
exports were 3499, 764 bushels, flour in
Guided against 4.023, 246 a year ago. Corn
+1r-r7 nod ITcrf1f
ports of slow progress in planting.
Failures for the week numbered 2SS
in the United States, against 1T last
year and II in Canada against 10 year
ago"
BRADSTREETS
Bradstreet's says:
Conditions governing trade lack uni
for.417ffv and explain 5Trepu1arftv in adj