The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-03
Trade Reports Are Varying in
Their Character.
Manufacturing Plants Well En-
gagged Except In Iron.
RAILWAY EARNINGS.
Exceed Those of Last Year and
the Year Before.
Car Shortage Has Begun to
Cause Trouble Again.

New York, Oct 3.-R G. Dun & Co.'s
Weekly Review of Trade says:
aside from the reduction in blast
furnace activity. manufacturing plants
are more fully engaged, and several en-
couraging reports are received, particu-
sarly as to footwear. Wholesale and job
bling trade is we'll maintained, many
cities reporting a larger volume than
last year. and business at Chicago is
stimulated by the multitude attending
the centennial. Latest returns of foreign
commerce at this port are favorable, ex-
ports increasing while imports decreased
as compared with the same week last
year Railway earnings thus far avail
able for September exceed those of 1902
by S4 per cent and SurpaSs earnings in
A901 by 1913 per cent
1T is practically certain that a re-
ductiOn of the big iron output will be
made, averaging about 20 per cent, and
this concerted action to prevent acculn-
ulation of stocks has already had SEN
timental effect on the market, inquiries
increasing in number and extent of ton
mage. Urgent requests for immediate
shipments of new orders testify to the
pressing needs of consumers who have
allowed supplies to fall very low in an
ficipation of better terms. Revival OF
activity at Clarion and elsewhere is
steel is still required, and in several
departments of the industry new bust
ness has appeared. The week has
brought few changes in quotations. Car
shortage has begun to cause trouble,
but the diminished needs of blast fur
uaces relieve the situation at Connells-
vile, where the coke output has been
materially curtailed.
1.-THE dry goods market presents no
new features. Production increases as
- ~ 70, moi ton mr.
there is an impression that stocks will
soon be so low that purchases will be
compulsory. Woolens are steady, but
quiet and WOrstedS are dull, with more
idle machinery. Carpets are strong and
fn short supply. Buying of wool is linn
tied to immediate needs. No diminu-
ton. is reported in the activity of shoe
factories, especially as to heavy foot
wear, which is delivered about a month
late.
Leather is fairly steady, except that
betting butts are fully cents below the
extreme price secured few months
ago. Record breaking receipts of cattle
naturally depress hides. although for
eign dry hides are steady.
"Failures this week in the United
States number 226. against 232 last
week PIG the preceding week and ZOI
the corresponding week last year, and
in Canada 10. against 10 last week, ~
the preceding week and % last year
1sRIixed trade and crop conditions still
present themselves. although some I'M
provement in tone is noted where crop
estimates. as in the case of corn, show
expansion. Lower prices for cereals
point the way to future large business
and induce a larger foreign interest in
our farm products Trade reports vary
with the northwest and Pacific coast.
Spotted trade reports come from sec
fions Of the middle west. From the
south the reports are In the main "a
vorable as to trade and collections, but
crop deterioration is widespread, ex-
cept from the lower Mississippi valley
trailing prices for cotton though nope
full sign for our export trade and do
nestle manuf scturers. do not excite
lively satisfaction among producers
Among the great industries iron and
steel show the effect of threatened over
production in proposals for 20 per cent
reduction Of northern furnaces output,
Tunors of like action by southern pro-
ducers and QUIET demand for finished
products Lumber is showing season.
able duieting down, and some weakness
an white pine is noted at the west.
though aside from leading eastern CEN
tiers the building trades are still active.
The shoe manufacturing has been
and is doing a good business, and east
ern shipments are still ahead of last
year, though the margin of gains tends
to lessen.
"A really favorable feature this week
IS the improvement of collections west
and northwest. the reflection of the be-
ginning of the delayed crops to market. !"