The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-24
MOVES SLOWLY.
Business Is Checked by Inade'
quate Facilities.
Coal Strike Continues to BE a
Disturbing Factor.
RAILROAD EARNINGS
Show a Gain of Five Per Cent
Over Last Years.
RAILROAD EARNINGS
Buying Is Reported Liberal
Throughout the Country.

New York. Jan Pr G. Dun &
Cos weekly review of trade says.
Heavy transactions in merchandise
are reported. but there is much COM
plafnt regarding the slow movement Of
freight. The situation as to general
lines is aggravated by the precedence
given fuel over all other freights ex-
cebt live stock and perishable goods.
Notwithstanding the extensive increase
in transporting facilities during the
past year. some roads have been COM
PEELED to decline cOnsignments, and in
many cases where a large number of
cars were desired only one was pro-
vided. Earnings thus far available for
january surpass last years by 5 per
cent.
TT is conspicuous in practically ev-
cry section of the country that. despite
high prices, buying IS liberal and Of
the better qualities Of goods, while
dealings as a rule are on a better basis
Demand for materials for buildings is
unusually brisk for this season, and
prices of lumber at the south have ad-
vanced Although fortunate sections
are receiving a better supply of fuel,
the situation is still serious and many
pig iron furnaces have been added to
the idle list. AS producers have sold
their capacity for some time there is
little new business and no effort on
the part of the sellers to secure con-
tracts. Hence prices of pig iron are
steady and new transactions light.
las to the demand for finished pro-
ducts. requirements are still pressing
in every department both structural
and rolling stock. and it is stated that
orders have been planned for as many
tons of steel rails as were produced in
the fun year 1902. Steel for buildings,
bridges and ships find a ready market
and implement makers are becoming
more active. New orders for merchant
steel are light but old contracts are
still numerous. New England prOduc-
ers Of boots and shoes are actively en-
gagged on seasOnable lines and there is
enough business on hand to keep most
plants in operation two months at
least New business comes forward
rather slowly. and there are few sup
Elementary orders for spring lines
Trade in leather is better, domestic
shoe manufacturers operating on
more liberal scale while export sales
of sole are increasing
LAS to cotton goods, the situation
grows steadily stronger. demands for
immediate needs preventing accumula-
tion of supplies and leaving an increas-
ing number of orders untitled A few
open advances in quotations are record
ed while quiet curtailment of dis
A0HllLH is reported III progress AiI0GL1
for standard print cloths at less than
8 Use are rejected and wide goods are
also firmly held Export buying has
practically ceased. With the exception
of a few of the finest grades wooden
goods for the fall of 1903 are now fully
opened
"Ffrmness has characterized the
course of the leading staples, an abund-
ant demand being i'm evidence, while
available supplies are restricted by traf-
fic conditions.
Failures for the week number 265 in
the United States against Sol last year,
and u in Canada, compared with IS a
year ago.
Bradstreets says:
Previously existing favora BILE cOudi-
lions still rule. Spring trade shows fur
ther expansion. particularly in dry
goods such as linens. wash fabrics I'M
derwear and hosiery. Clothing, shoes.
hardware and hardwood lumber are ac-
tive. and the volume of shipments Of
spring goods to fill orders offers still
another problem for the cOngested
transportation companies to solve A
speu Of mild weather has induced the
beginning of the usual clearance sales
OF surplus winter goods by retailers. 1T
mas also tended to soften the acuteness
OF the anthracite shortage at the east
and cause lowering in prices. This
however Us regarded as temporary only
another seasonahle cold snap containing
great possibilities i'm the way of en-
hanced prices The snow covering Win
ter wheat is not uniform, and is. on the