The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-12
FALL BUSINESS.
AIN JObbing Trade 1t Is Larger
Than Last Year.
High Prices Result in More
Careful Buying.
RAILWAY EARNINGS
Show an Increase Over Last
Year and 1901.
Iron Supply Is Gaining on the
Market.

New York. Sept. PR. c. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says:
Despite the interruption of a holiday
this week has brought increased activ-
ity in many branches OF business An
encouraging symptom is the decreased
complaint regarding collections. accom-
panied by more discounting of bills.
Weather conditions have been favor
able for retail trade. distribution of
merchandise expanding. while there are
frequent reports of larger jobbing fall
business thar the last year. Some eau
ton in selecting goods. owing TO high
Urices. is reported at the west. but this
8 chiefly confined to textiles. Labor
disputes decrease. all but one of the
unions having signed the agreement in
the local building trades, and several
other settlements have been effected
through concessions by both sides.
Railway earnings in August were 81
per cent. larger than last year, and 15.4
per cent. greater than in 1901 Owing
TO the lateness of the crop there is lit
tie complaint Of traffic congestion
On September ] for the first time this
year furnace stock of pig iron exceed
ed a weeks capacity OF the furnaces
in blast Notwithstanding heavy re-
ceipts Of cattle packers are asking for
higher figures for hides.
Failures this week were 172 in the
United states. against 205 last year.
and IS in Canada. compared with p a
year ago
Bradstreet's says: Trade conditions
are Still uneven. but the general drift
IS toward improvement A more as
sured feeling as to the corn crop out
turn IS manifest. conditions in most
states having changed since September
state fairs and low rate excursions
have stimulated western distribution
while good prospects for corn. cotton
rice and sugar in the south have made
things cheerful in that section. East
ern trade adVices are of less nOta bic
activity. but signs OF Improvement in
the cotton mill situation are seen.
The lumber market shows contrasts in
different sections. In the west lumber
and building material of all kinds is
active and firm. but at the east the re-
sumption OF building operations and
strike infested cities has not been SUI
hcient to keep the market strong. The
IRON trade Is rather pessimistic, buyers
persisting in holding of. but the declines
IN northern and western iron reported
this week are largely sympathetic. the
result OF the reported additional cuts IN
the southern product
J, The salmon pack on the Pacific coast
Mil be short one and higher prices
are looked for.
Railway earnings continue good. the
increases for August being fully per
cent over the best previous year Collec-
tons show slight Improvement the re-
suit Of the crops moving to market The
backwardDess Of agricultural matters is
nO small factor II confirming buyers
in the conservative attitude they have
assumed in some sections.
Wheat, including flour exports for the
week. ending September 10. aggregate
3.045.049 bushels. against 3.131. S39 last
week; 5,444. 146 this week last year g.
o4S.6o9 in 1901 and 1855. 9S2 in 1900. Fer
ten weeks of the cereal year they ag-
gregate 31255.16S bushels against IS
1876 IA in 1902. 5.s16.179 in 1901 and 81
Cos 001 in 1900. Corn exports for the week
aggregate S44S1S bushels. against $50.
al last week; 9l.512 a year ago; III, S31
in 1901: and 24e2. 7S6 in 1900
Business failures in the United States
for week ending with September 1e
number 1s5, against 162 last week. 1877 in
the like week of 1902. 1S2; in 1901, 1S7; IN
1900. 149