The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-31
NO FLAGGING.
Iron and Steel Production at the
Highest Point
In Spite Of Scarcity of Fuel and
a Car Shortage.
TROUBLE is GROWING.
Some Roads Refuse All Dead
Freight Except Coal.
Advance Deliveries of Spring
Goods Are Heavy

New York Jan. 31.-Bradstreet's says.
Trade developments in January con-
firm the sanguine expectations and pre-
dictiOns made at the outset Of the
month Wholesale and Jobbing trade in
spring dry goods millinery boots and
shoes and hats improving steadily, Jan
uary jobbiug business at the leading
cities east and west being the best ever
recorded in that month Shipments on
orders are larger and earlier than in
preceding years. Retail traders are
hardly so favorable. Unreasonable
weather dulls retail distribution in this
line and the usual January clearing
sales are attracting less than ordinary
attention. Among the industries no sign
Of Tagging activity is noted. Iron and
steel production is at its highest point,
despite fuel and car shortages, and
prices are higher. Activity in lumber
Is also noted the country over. The gen
eral price situation remains strong, corn
among the cereals and cotton among
the textiles leading.
The car shortage trouble increases
rather than grows better Smaller than
expected movements OF grain and lum-
Der to market, Of fuel from producing
centers to consumers, and of general
merchandise from wholesalers and job
bers to retailers are reported the coun-
try over. Preference is still being given
to coal shipments and some roads are
refusing all dead freight outside of fuel.
THE shoe trade is more or less quiet
and leather is likewise. except west. The
HLLeLlH IN Al LOALO2 EGOQH III EEaAtlE IS LliC
main reason shown for the advance this
week in the raw cotton market, though
smaller than expected receipts better
cables and the strength of spot cotton
at the south are all assigned in support
thereof Wooden goods for next fall are
being ordered in fair quantities, while
mills are being pushed for spring de-
livery. Raw wool continues strong and
prices are at flood tide.
THE iron trade is reported rther
nd Connective 7u haf47rr
practiced. Buyers are no doubt backward
because much of the business Of last
year was done at old low quotations
A significant feature is that pig iron
prices have been marked up 81 per ton
at all leading markets. and the lower
prices so freely predicted are yet to
materialize, Notwithstanding the fact
that production at present is in excess
of the largest ever before reported. The
next few weeks should contain develop
ments important both to producers and
consumers. Copper is strong and
shows a steadily advancing tendency.
At PittsbuTg sales of structural bars
and plates have been large Bar iron
had advanced 81 per tom"
r. G. Dun & Co. s Weekly Review of
Trade says.
Domestic trade and industry con-
tinue to prosper. while the fuel situa
tion has grown less disturbing through
the special efforts of transporters, aid
ed to no small degree by mild weather.
Distribution Of other products has been
restricted by the discrimination ia
favor of coal and shippers are impor-
tunate. Clearance sales are about end
ed, leaving only small stocks of winter
goods. Advance business in spring de
liveries is very heavy and fall con-
tracts are also placed literally Al
some points the harness season opens
v0rably. I'm most cases where there
is no delay on fuel account, mRnufac-
turing plants are busy. though cost OF
materials and labor is very high. Firm
prices for finished products are conse-
quently to be expected. Favorable re-
turns Of railway earnings are constant
~ issued, figures thus far available
showing an increase of 81 per ceni
over last year, and 17.9 per cent ovel
1901
Miles o. loaded cars and thousands
Conceivable tell the story OF condition.
I'm the iron and steel industry. Fur
naces are closing because of the fue
shortage. BY giving coal, live stock and