Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-11
BUSINESS FEATURES.

unrest In the ranks of labor has in
creased rather than abated since May
l, when difficulties of this sort usually
culminate. No single struggle of great
magnitude is in progress, but the fire.
| quency of small strikes is disturbin.
and in the aggregate large force is
idle, while important industrial under
takings are checked. This is notably
| the case as to structural work. of
which large amount has been contem-
plated. Good reports are received from,
footwear factories, shipments from
boston for the year thus far SURPRISING
al! records, and clothing makers receive
Implications of spring orders in addi-
ton to getting out fall samples. AT
Baltimore there is great activity in the
manufacture of straw hats and negH-
gee shirts, while paper mills at Phil
adelphia find conditions satisfactory.
Weather reports are Irregular, stimu-
iating retail trade at some points. but
more often retarding the distribution
of merchandise. Prices of commodities
declined slightly during April. Dun's
index number falling from $99.267 to
S9S.561. A year ago the higest point
OF recent years was touched at 1902
2s9. Railway earnings in April!
were 1874 per cent larger than in last
year. and 2S.7 per cent above 1901.
Sales OF stock We're again small as
compared with the corresponding week
in the two proceeding years, particular
lyly as to 1901, when the Northern Pa
cific corner occurred. This accounts
for the decline Of 31.2 per cent in bank
exchanges at New York from last years |
figures and 45.2 per cent compared with
two years ago. AT other leading cities |
the loss from 1902 was only 3 per cent |
and there was gain Of 60 over 1901. |
Cancellation of orders where deliv- |
cries failed to be made according to |
contract and new business at lower
quotations, indicate tendency towari |
more normal conditions in pig iron. |
This Is highly desirable, and gives as
surance that present activity in iron
and steel may be maintained. I'm
doubtedly there is much business ahead |
thru the natural growth of the country,
cessive cost. Pending contracts for
about $4,000 tnos of structural ma
terial have been closed and other or
ders are only postponed by uncertainty
the labor situation. Rail-
way requirements appear to have no
limit, and the proposed extensions will
consume large quantities of steel. I'M
plement manufacturers are SURPRISING
all records in their purchases of mer-
chant steel, machine shops are working
at full capacity, and there is brisk
demand for plates, pipes and tubes. AL!
leading machinery markets report sat
conditions. Trade In hardware
is of good volume. orders assuring ac-
tivity for some time, and the new bus
mess still coming forward freely, es-
pecially in the south.
Textile manufacturers in the cas-.
have not improved their position during
the past week. Jobbers are buying ;
only small quantities, exercising dis {
that indicates dull markets !
elsewhere, and statesmen are being
from the road. More WOODEN
mills have closed, and the market is
featureless, but the new wool clip Is
firmly held New orders for fall foot
wear come forward slowly at New En-
gland shops, but manufacturers have
much business on heavy grain and split
shoes, and look for the usual purchases
Of satin and fancy leather goods by ,
the end of the month. Quotations are
firmly held without alteration, grain
leather footwear being in a particular
~ strong position. Trade is rather quiet
In leather, both as to sole and upper,
with prices steady, although heavy
weight stocks have accumulated.
Grain has not maintained last weeks
position, no definite report of injury
being received, although farm work
has been retarded by unfavorab!e lt