Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-12

the present situation is interruption by
delay in the transit of needed materials.
In Chicago, aside from difficulty in
| getting sufficient supplies of coal and
coke, the business situation generally is
| in excellent condition There is no APP
parent diminution in activity. and new
business comes forward in satisfactory
volume in the leading branches of
trade The mills and factories are
abundantly supplied with orders, which
| insure busy times thruout most of the
year. In wholesale and jobbing lines
the orders for spring merchandise COM
pare favorably with this time last year.
! There is an easier tone in the money
market, and less indication of ten
dency to engage in speculation in Sc
curities The railroads are handicap
| ped, owing to shortage of motive power
and fuel, and much freight is offered
| turnout the western country which may
suffer delay in movement. Large addi-
lions are constantly being made to roll
ing stock, but the inadequacy of equip
ment is acute, and heavy orders are be-
| for most roads.
| In Boston there is lull in the retail
trade such as usually comes after the
holidays. Jobbing trade shows inn
provement in several important branch
es.
Philadelphia reports that coal con-
tinues unsettled. Recent developments
tend to an increase in prices for an
thracite, and the demand is still in ex-
cess of the supply. Bituminous coal is
coming to market in greater quantities
than of late, and prices are firm at $3.50
and $3.50 at the mines. The machinery
trade is active and there is a good de-
mand in electrical goods.
At Pittsburg but little business is ne
ing done in the iron and steel market
so far this year, but prospects are good.
Actual transactions have been few, but
inquiries have been abundant especial
~ in reference to pig iron, steel bars,
billets and structural work. Coke ship
ments for the past week were about 3d.
600 tons in excess of the previous week,
and, as large part of it came to this
point, the shortage at the local fur
naces was somewhat relieved. Pig iron
is all sold for the first, and most of the
second quarter of the year Deliveries
on the steel corporations 20G,000-ton
lot which was to have been filled by
there is little prospect Of doing better.
AT New Orleans jobbers and manu-
facturers report that trade has not yet
recovered from the dizziness incident to
the holidays.
In Kansas City clearing sales con-
tinue to dominate the retail market and
keep salespeople fairly busy.
AT ST. Louis the first week of the year
has passed with most satisfactory con-
ditions. Farmers have ready money
and have not been forced to sacrifice
crops This has encouraged them to
make preparations for operations on
large scale this season. AT the same
time they have been liberal buyers and
merchants have been compelled to re-
new stocks.
ST. Paul reports that mercantile and
industrial conditions maintain previous
important favorable features, and the
outlook is regarded as decidedly prom
Using. Spring business is in heavy vol
ume, advance sales in dry goods, hats,
caps, mems furnishings and shoes ex-
ceeding those of last year by consid-
cradle margA
In Seattle jobbing houses report bus
mess starting out this year better than
last, with indications for an active
spring trade.
AT San Francisco the year opens with
the customary quiet. The flour export
trade of port for December embraced
1885 barrels, valued at $57S,49O. This
is the largest total for any month dur
ing the year, except the first. when the
shipments were 16S.493 barrels. The
total for the year was 1,OS7,94S barrels,
of which China took 623,3S4, or nearly
GO per cent; other Oriental countries
took about $4,000 barrels. There was
new and unexpected demand from Aus
tralia, which required $4,000 barrels in
the last half of the year. This demand
is still in force and supplies are being
gathered from Oregon and Washington
for the colonies, as well as from this
state.
IOWA OPINIONS AND NOTES
The Rockford Register suggests that