The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-26
TRADE REVIEW.
Reports of Business Are Gener-
ally Favorable.
Dun Says Number of Idle Men
Diminishes.
SET BACK FOR IRON.
Production Is to Be Somewhat
Curtailed.
Continued Gain In the Railroad
Earnings.

New York, Sept. 26-R. G. Dun & Co. s
weekly review of trade says; Notwith-
standing several unsatisfactory features,
the volume Of trade continues large and
the distribution of merchandise taxes
shipping facilities Announcement of a
concerted effort to restrict production OF
pig iron indicated that supplies have be-
gun to accumulate. Railroad earnings
continue to show gains for September
thus far exceeding last years by 81 per
cent and those of 1901 by 1925 per cent.
Traffic b1oclzades occurred to some ex-
tent although the movement of farm
products is still unseasonably small.
New labor controversies have begun but
a number of serious troubles have been
averted, and on the whole the number of
men idle Voluntarily has diminished.
Enforced idleness in the iron and steel
industry is more than Offset by the re-
sumption of spindles at cotton mills,
and there is great activity at footwear
factories, although the margin of profit
is narrow.
Lower prices for the leading agricul-
tliral staples indicate general belief in
improved crop prospects. Jobbing trade
is still making good comparisons with
previous years, and. while the zenith
has been passed in fall dry goods, 1t is
still a satisfactory season. At many i'm
portant points the weather has been
more propitious for retail trade, and COL
lections are fairly prompt considering
the tightness of the money market.
Demand for finished iron and steel is
restricted by uncertainty regarding quo
tations and until more settled condl-
ton exists, there will be no incentive to
place contracts literally, although 1t is
known that much business Is under con-
ct q
condition of the manufacture, supplies
OF pig iron have accumulated and 1t is
now generally agreed among leading
producers that a curtailment OF blast
furnace output is necessary. EncouraR-
ing reports are heard as to a few
branches of the industry, notably wire
and some structural shapes.
AS to woolens, the best business is
noted in dress goods, while trade in
mems wear fabrics is still very quiet.
BRADSTREET REVIEW.
New York. Sept 26.-Bradstreet says:
Reports of conservatism and even eau
ton in fall and winter trade TESTIFY TO
the absence Of the spur of insistent de-
maud which a year ago gave the SELL
ing side such an advantage. sqhe feW-
ness Of car shortage complaints is evil
dence alike of the later movement of
crops and of discrimination in orders
by consumers. The quieting of demand
has become more manifest in iron and
mace output are being discussed and
finished products lag, and in anthracite
coal, where a number of collieries have
been put on shorter time. Building ac-
tivitv at New York has not been re-
stunned in full. strikes of vessel men on
the lakes retard shipments, and ad-
vanced freight rates and high prices
for cotton. with lack Of corresponding
higher prices for finished products,
check full resumption of operations.
Railway earnings returns are still
highly favorable. those roads reporting
FOR the first half of September showing
a gain Of 10 per cent. over a year ago.
Relatively the best reports come from
parts of the northwest due to better
weather and crop conditions; the south
west which has escaped crop injury,
and the south. where despite crop de-
terioration and declining cotton prices,
the general outlook is still good East
ern advices are of fair trade. but quiet
ness in general business is noted in
New York. Lumber and building ma
tertal are not so active as earlier ex-
pected at the east; lumber is also rath-
Ct Quicter at the west
Wheat. including -four. exports for
the week ending September "a aggre-
gate S.505,4s0 bushels, against 1909 0S3
last week. 5,077.0 70 this week last year.
4.47O.852 in 1901 and 3,242 $40 in 1900 For
twelve weeks OF the cereal year they
aggregate 36.2146S1 bushels, against So
009,l3l in 1902. 14.127. Jos in 1901, and 49,
lf3,6b0 In. 1900 Corn exports for the
week aggregate 779 $50 bushels against
1S1,l61 last week, 1882 a year ago. 5S5.-
zoe in 1901. and 2156.171 in 1900. For
twelve weeks of the present cereal year
against as1,s27 in 1902.