Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-20

ences. Even the railroads are not eN-
tending facilities or purchasing new
equipment as they would if bonds could
be readily placed AS an offset to these
retardng influences there is already as
surance of a prosperous year for the
agricultural interests. and when this
money is put into circulation freely,
| trade should feel the stimulus, and
confidence become fully restored.
In machinery lines there are some
conflicting reports, though on the whole
shops are running nearly full time.
Forces have been somewhat reduced.
and there is much less overtime work.
There is a notable decrease of orders
for textile machinery, the revival of
activity at cotton mills. being the most
encouraging sign. Boiler makers and
| pump works are busy, some factories
being many months behind with deliv-
cries, and in tile and clay working ma
chinery trade is fully up to last year.
Prospects are notably encouraging in
agricultural implements and farm tools.
dealers preparing for large sales in
view of the general prosperity among
farmers. While shipbuilding in the east
is not all that could be desired, there
has been great activity at lake yards.
1t has been an exceptionally busy year
at stove foundries, particularly at the
south. Hardware manufacturers have
had a splendid sea son, except in build
ers' supplies, but orders are coming in
less freely, as is seasonable. Plate
mills are not working to full capac-
ty, partly due to the extensive increase
in facilities. but bridge manufacturers
are buster than in months Immediate
!y preceding. Many of the early con-
tracts for structural iron and plates
were placed subject to strike condi-
lions. and considerable tonnage has
been cancelled on this account.
Flour mills oh the Pacific coast and
at the south are well engaged. with
capacity generally increased. Wheat
supplies are abundant, and orders on
hand assure activity for some time to
come. At Minneapolis, however. the
chief center of this industry, it is inn
possible to secure sufficient wheat of
suitable quality. Stocks of flour are
low, prices firm and wages at high
point. Paper manufacturers report ca
pacity fully employed. with a fair
amount of business in SIGHT and pay
ments reasonably prompt Some plants
with short supplies of wood pulp will
have to pay high prices. Quiet condi
tons in wall paper are not discourage
ing, prospects being considered bright.
larger forces employed than ever be-
fore, and some departments are work. |
ing overtime. Cordage ard naval stores
are firm in price and in good demand. |
1t Is the season of greatest activity in |
jewelry and silverware, large prepara- |
tons being made for the holiday trade. |
and orders are coming In even better
than year ago. Mining returns are
particularly in the Penn
sylvania anthracite coal field. Reports
OF activity in bitumlnous mining will |
have to be modified in view of the
strike just inaugurated. Up to the time
of the closing of AInalgamated mines
the production Of copper was fully up /
to last years, at slightly better prices.
The advance in the price Of silver slim
ulates production. several old mines be-
Ing reopened.
These are portion of The results OF
the commercial agency's Investigations.
They cast no shadow of hard times up
On the coming year, but emphasize the
fact that American manufacturers have
In a measure caught up with the UNI
demand for every sort OF
article and that prices
and production must dip toward the
normal level.