The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-21
Gross Railway Earnings for
First Half Of March.
Although Trade is Held Back by
Rains and Floods.
Only FEAR is STRIKES.
Otherwise the Business Outlook
Is Very Encouraging.
High Cost Of Material Curtails
Building Operations.

New York March 21.-Bradsueet' 8
says. Excessive moisture in the form
OF heavy rains and floods or Of merely
bad roads is an apparent drawback to
distributive trade. over against this,
however, is to be placed an improve
ment in 1Obbing trade at some leading
western centers, better collections re-
ported a pereeptible easing of the car
shortage trouble and increased strength
tn the iron and steel trades. There is
even some, though perhaps more appar-
ent than real. Improvement in the la Dor
situation, some strikes having been
avoided OF settled. but labor disturb
ance is still possible unsetting tea-
ture, particularly in the building trades
The Easter season is one OF the latest
ON record, but actual spring weather
conditions are operative. as may be
judged from the fact that lower lake
navigation is already pretty well open
ed. The next two weeks will see applied
the test OF demand in retail lines. Gross
railway earnings for the first half of
March show an aggregated gain over
last year of fully II per cent
In prices q feature is the further
slight strengthening of cotton. Cotton
goods have displayed exceptional
strength though a waiting tendency as
regards new business is noted at first
hands.
The feature ia the cereal markets has
been the very general easing of prices
sympathized in By pork and lard among
hog products. mainly the result Of in
creased pressure of supplies and smaller
export business though at the decline
the tendency of foreigners TO come is
noted. Hides are slightly weaker. while
leather and finished products continue
strong. Tin and copper among the
metals, after quite steady advances,
have weakened. Strength of prices is q
leading feature in iron and steel at all
markets both a home and abroad Lead
IS higher on the week, but copper ana
tin are lower
Wheat. including flour. exports for the
week ending March 19, aggregate 1885, ?
Dos bushels again 1866, 1876 last week,
f.326.304 in this week year ago and
3.256 544 jim 1901 Wheat exports since
July aggregate 110,O4652S bushels
against 1894. 597 last season and 146 -
413073 In 1900 Corn exports aggregate
3.40lO68 bushels against 3257 999 last
week, $780, 9l year ago and z605,05S in
1901
For the fiscal year exports are 40.8S7,-
2ls bushels against e. g94 701 last season
and 141-5Ss 100 in 1901. business failures
for the week ending with March ~
number 1874 against 176 last week. 1877
i'm The like week of 1902, 231 i'm 1901 1872
i'm 1900, and ls2 in 1899. In Canada for
the week failures number IA as against
20 last week and Is in this week year
ago.
r.. G. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Review Of
Trade says
Only one distinctive unfavorable fac
4NA rs AFttt4AEu III tine business ElLUd IIDI
aul II exists more ia the fear of what
may happen than through anything that
has actually occurred Several strikes
are in progress. but none that seriously
hamper industry, although many con
troversles are threatened and may inter-
ruDt trade unless agreements are speed
lly reached Progress has been made in
renewing traffic blockades and deliv-
elles are more prompt, yet railway IA
Nlllies need much extension if they ara
% keep pace with the nations growth.
Jobping trade is very large, and the ad-
FIuc1ng season stimulates retail sales III,
many lines Reports from the west are
especially satisfactory. agriculturists
making extensive improvements. no.
taoly I'm the purchase Of the most mod
ern machinery. buying of spring and
summer merchandise is heavy for the
lil-llQf ana mills are resuming that
have long been idle because coke could
not he secured
A careful canvass of building opera
uons at he leading cities makes fair
comparison with last wear outside Of
Chicago. where special conditions caused
exceptional activity in 1902 Returns are
Unanimous in disclosing a decrease com
pared with 1901, however which was the
banner year in this respect EIfgh cost
of ma erial and wages of labor are UNI
doubleday Tetarding influences at the
present time Railway earnings thus
Tar available for March show an in
crease of 14.6 per cent over last wear
and POI per cent over 1901.
Prospects in r1e iron and steel indus
tfy are sim conspicuOusly enCoura eine
Demand for heavy weight woolens has
decreased, most new orders being for
the cheaper grades. More cancellation
of early orders are reported Much bet
ter conditions prevail i'm the dress goods
market both as to staples and fancy
New England shoe shops report increase
in sales, jobbers placing orders for Aug
ust and September delivery. Leather is
more active and tanners are not carry
ing surplus stocks. The market is In
q healthy condition. Another genera
reduction is reported ia domestic hides
but foreign dry hides average higher
despite larger receipts.
Failures this week number 300 in thl
United States against POS last year ant
. ito Canada against 81 a year ago