The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-25
REVIEW OF TRADE.
Best Returns Come From Cities
of the West.

New York, Jan. 25.-R. G.. Dun & Co.'S
Weekly Review of Trade says:
Little of a novel nature has de-
veloped in the business or financial sit
uation during the past week Conditions
of the preceding week were accentu-
ated as a rule. active manufacturing
plants becoming still more busily en-
gagged, while the downward tendency of
prices was not checked. Retail trade
is of immense volume, and jobbers have
immense spring orders to fill Western
cities send the most satisfactory re-
turns but nearly all sections are en-
joying wholesome activity, even the
south showing evidence of improve
ment. Wages We're voluntarily ad-
Vanced at a number of manufacturing
plants, and hours reduced at others.
There were few labor controvers While
skilled wOrkmen are in greater demand
than supply.
Conditions in the iron and steel in
dustry are shown by record breaking
production at many plants and rapid
Increase of facilities at others. When
orders for rails cannot be taken be-
cause delivery is desired before the last
quarter of the year, it would seem that
new figures OF output were assured for
1902. Structural mills are equally well
occupied, and from the contracts for
office buildings, factories, bridges, track
elevation and other constructive work
Plates and sheets are available more
promptly owing to enlarged capacity
of mills. Despite the pressure for near
ly all steel products and pig iron, there
is no tendency to force quota tons, but
rather a stubborn resistance to every
upward movement. This feature of the
market is watched most intently, as the
abnormal activity would lose its CHIEF
value as an indication of prosperity II
business were stimulated by excessive
prices. Incidentally. foreign competition
would also be invited and mills abroad
are in position to take full advantage
OF any such opportunity.
Textile markets are quiet, although
reports of the JobDlng trade are most
favorable, except at some southern
points. Cotton mills are busy as rule,
but uncertainty as to the future OF the
raw material tends to unsettle prices.
Heavy goods for China are in better in
quiry, although the views of sellers are
still above prices offered. Home buy
ing of fine yarn goods increases. Print
cloths are nominally cents, and scarce
for near delivery. Wooden pills are
working overtime and have much bust
ness in sight More linens opened at
slightly lower figures than a year ago,
which was natural in view of the differ
ence in cost of raw material. Raw wool
is strengthened by the higher prices Sc
cured at the London sale.
Footwear holds firmly to the advance
reported last week, with only a mod
crate volume of business. Sole leather
is firm, with stocks low, but some other
butts and harness leather have declined
fully a cent. Upper leather is fairly
steady, concessions being chiefly to
move large lots. Export sales of hem
lock to England are liberal Hides are
still declining, especially for imported
goods.
Hesitation Sc general in the markets
for staple pro acts. There is no longer
the reckless buoyancy SO conspicuous
a short time ago. Disaster to one prom
inent operator had a calming influence,
and in the case of corn the insignificant
exports cannot we'll be entirely ignored.
From Atlantic ports for the week the
movement was but 352, 450 bushels,
against 3,472.614 bushels a year ago.
Foreign buying of wheat, flour included,
is much more liberal, all ports of the
United States sending out 4,320.005 bush
els during the past week, compared with
4,03S, 3S1 bushels a year ago. Meats
have weakened, especially lard, and
dairy products are also less inflated.
Raw sugar Stiffened owing to restricted
arrivals, which are natural since Cuban
holders await favorable tariff arrange
ments, and bounty discussion affects
conditions in Europe. Cotton is receiv-
ing the support anticipated, reports of
exhausted stocks on plantations being
refuted by undiminished receipts.
Failures for the week numbered 301
in the United States, against BOG last
year, and % in Canada, against 46 last
year"
New York. Jan. 25.-The following table.
compiled by Bradstreet, shows the bank
clearings at the principal cities for the
week ended January ., with the percent
age of increase and decrease as compared
with the corresponding week last year:
v-fv, II, T0a