The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-15
Railway Earnings Show Big In
crease Over Last August.
DISTRIBUTION HEAVY.
Preparations for Fall Trade
Are Vigorous.
A Considerable Decline in For
eign Trade Noted.

Co. s weekly review of trade says:
Earnings of railways for August thus
far show an average gain of ~ per cent
over last years figures and 1853 per cent
compared with 1901. Distribution of
merchandise is very heavy, more inter
ruption to traffic recorded. and in staple
lines prices are steady. Preparations for
fall trade are vigorous, many manufac-
turers working overtime to fill import
ant orders. Collections are fully as
prompt as usual for the season, although
in some lines there is less inclination to
discount bills. Crop news is reassuring.
Foreign trade at this port for the last
week showed a loss of $1,46I ,049 in ex-
ports as compared with the same week
last year and imports decreased $2,127.-
b75.
Hesitation in certain branches of the
iron and steel industry, incident to the
season and aggravated by labor contro-
versies is indicated with some degree
of dehniteness by the monthly statistics
just published by the Iron Age. A vast
amount of business is being done, but
there is no indication to anticipate re-
quirements of the future beyond con-
tracts already placed. The week has
brought no developments in the price
situation, but there is a steady gain in
purchases of pig iron. although the
meeting of the leading concerns COM
mittee failed to decide upon placing new
contracts, which was a disappointment
TO some prospective sellers. Agricul-
tural implements and machinery manu-
1aCturers have secured a further large
tonnage of material Merchant steel and
pipe show improved demand, but in
plates and structural material the wait
ing tendency is still dominant.
A slight increased volume of business
in cotton goods is confined to small or
ders for quick delivery.
Quotations for cottons are firmly held
and an advance in staple prints occurred
this week. but the ratio of the product
to the raw material is far from such as
TO encourage manufacturing. A steady
demand for mems wear woolens sus-
tains prices and business in dress goods
/ simprOving. Dry goods jobberS report
fairly good buying, the feature of the
week being some special deals in dress
fabrics. The feature this week has been
the liberal purchasing of heavy shoes
for next spring by local jobbers. Leath-
er has at last shown the increase in
activity promised by the vigorous opera
ton of factories and both sole and up
per leather find a better market, al
though no large contracts have yet been
placed. Hides continue weak, but the
average does not exhibit the fall that
has been the rule in recent preceding
weeks, some lines slightly recovering.
Failures this week numbered ia in
the United States against 1856 last year
and in Canada % compared with q a
year ago.
Bradstreet's says:
Developments this week have been
largely favorable. Prominent among
these is the lessening Of pressure at the
country'S financial center, which has
led to a more optimistic feeling in the
country at large. Beyond and apart
from this, however, though no doubt
affected thereby. it is noted that fall
trade in dry goods, clothing. hats, shoes
and millinery has expanded at leading
western, southern and eastern mar
kets. Pig iron has sold freely, with
more firmness as to prices. Export de-
mand for the week and flour shipments
thereof have enlarged. Traffic returns
while pointing to a comparatively easy
eastward movement of grain, show a
heavier movement of live animals and
q marked increase in WeStbound ship
ments of freight.
Reports of congestion In railway
traffic are most severe in the Canton
City district, but this trouble affects the
lumber shipments of the northwest and
coal shipments from Pennsylvania, and
this coming so early in the season is re-
garded as significant of the probable
volume of business to be offered to
transportation companies.
The improvements of sales of pig
iron at Chicago is due largely to heavy
takings by implement manufacturers
and malleable interests. Pittsburg sales
of pig iron are larger, although the lead
Ing interest mas not yet covered us laSl
quarters requirements. A moderate
business is doing in rails, but other
finished products are reported quiet as
q whole.
AT the east the first rush of fall trade
in dry goods at New York has
been satisfactory. The demand
for mems wear woolens for spring
account has been very good and WOO
IS firmer. though manufacturers are
buying only to cover requirements. Nc
! Improvement is noted in the cotton
all situation. The high price OF cot
n has resulted in a practical cutting
own of production. Notable activity
sn the shoe business is reported at the
east. Sides are easier and demand for
leather is merely to meet requirements
but prices of the latter are steady
Dairy products are firmer in tone. but
sugar manufa cturers have reduced the
list price in an effort to encourage de
mand. Building trades strikes at New