Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-26

poiLe " sedsoA " great ACTIVITY 1T
the leading industries. Defaults in
number and amount are low, and althr
the buying power Is shortened by tho
prevailing high prices, the people buy
literally and more on a cash basis thar
formerly. Railroads appear in the mar
ket for great quantities of material, and
have bought literally of heavy timbers
| for bridges and for much other work.
Demands of manufacturers for a wide
variety of lumber, particularly hard
| woods, has caused an unusual rush for
so early in the year. n the local and
country orders for building purposes
continue good. Spring merchandise of
all kinds is selling we'll, and the adj
vanced bookings IN the principal
branches of dry goods, millinery and
clothing show satisfactory gains over
flying gains at the banks. the increased
deposits being we'll divided between the
commercial and savings sides. Some
large collateral loaE.s were negotiated
at Sc per cent.
In st. Louis orders for spring goods
are heavy, many by mail with orders
for early shipment. The aggregate is
the best in the history of the jobbing
trade of the city. Country merchants
report an exceptionally good trade,
with stocks small ard practically moth
ing to carry over.
Boston reports that activity is the
rule in retail AMI iobbing circles
| Weather conditions continue favorable
for the cleaning up of heavy goods.
| With dry goods jobbcrs' sales are large
the only drawback bong the difficulty
of getting merchandise delivered; in
fact the delivery question is affecting
all branches OF business. There is
great complaint about getting merchan-
disc, particularly grain, from he west,
The railroads are badly blockaded and
there is not sufficient motive power to
move freight. Labor troubles at Lynn
are a menace to the shoe industry, but
| aside from this the condition of the in
dustry is satisfactory and the current
demand from jobbers is good, with
prices firm. Shipments run slightly
ahead of last year. for the week being
90.276 cases, compared with 1924 cases
in the week last year, while since Jan.
i they are 1887 cases in excess of 1900,
At Pittsburg the condition of the
| iron and steel marke. for the past week
has been generally quiet, but the
strongest factor in the maintenance OF
| prices is said to have been the scarcity
Of coal and coke.
Baltimore reports that a normal
business is being transacted in whole
sale lines, and that the general outlook
is most encouraging.
At Atlanta, Ca. trade in dry goods
and notions is reported better than q
year ago Other southern points report
satisfactory conditions.
Minneapolis reports sales of flour I'M
| proved. tho chiefly dcmestic. Accord
ing to the Northwestern Miller, the
flour output for the week was 305.2S5
barrels, against 254,1e5 in 1902 and 1885,
S45 In 1901. The total sales for the
week amounted to rae.ler more than the
output.
In California the first rain In three
weeks or more fell IL the 21st. 1t was
quite welcome and YVES confined to the
northern and central portions Of the
state, Grain is still doing well in the
southern counties, but will suffer ma
terially unless rain c%olnessoon. Generous
fogs in he coast counties have kept
vegetation in good condition.