The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09
TEND DOWNWARD.
Dun & Co. Note a Slight Decline
in Prices.
Railroad Earnings Continue to
Show Big Gains.
BUSINESS IS LARGE.
SURPRISES That of Previous
Years at Same Date.
Weather and Labor Troubles
Don't Stop It.

New York. May s.-R. G. Dun & Cos
Weekly Review OF Trade says:
Unrest in the ranks of labor has In
creased rather than abated since May /,
when difficulties of this sort usually
eliminate. No single struggle of great
magnitude is in progress, but the fre-
quency of small strikes is disturbing,
and in the aggregate a large force is
idle, while important Industrial under
takings are checked. Good reports are
received from footwear factories, ship
ments from Boston for the year thus far
surprising all records. and clothing
makers receive Implications of spring
orders, in addition to getting out fall
samples. Prices of commodities declined
slightly during April, Dun's index num-
Der falling from $99267 to S9S.561. A
year ago the highest point of recent
years was touched a s102.2 S9. Railway
earnings in April We're 1874 per cent
larger than in April last year, and Isl
above 1901.
Cancellation of orders where deliver
les failed to be made according to con-
tract and new business at lower quota
lions indicate a tendency toward more
normal conditions in pig iron. This is
highly desirable, and gives assurance
that present activity in iron and steel
may be maintained. Pending contracts
for about $4,000 tons of structural ma
teriaI have been closed. and other or
ders are only postponed by uncertainty
regarding the labor situation. Railway
requirements appear TO have no limit
and the proposed extensions will con-
sumo large quantities of steel. Billets
are one or the scarce articles at present,
even imports being arranged with diff
Guilty. Implement manufacturers are
surprising all records in their pur-
chaSeS of merchant steel, machine shops
are working at full capacity, and there
is brisk demand for plates, pipes and
tubes. All leading machinery markets
report satisfa Glory conditions Trade III
hardware is OF good volume. orders as
surfing activity for some time, and new
business still coming forward freely, es-
peciaIy at the south.
Textile manufacturers at the East
have not improved their position dur
ing the past week. Jobbers are buying
only small quantities, exercising dis
elimination that indicates duh markets
elsewhere, and statesmen are being with
drawn from the road. With large
in print cloths, nor is the movement OF
brown sheetings and drills of any ac-
count.
abnormal prices for raw cotton
might be expected to stimulate inquiry
for goods, but the only effect is 10 pre-
vent sellers from making concessions.
Higher figures are expected next week
at the official opening Of the season IN
carpets. More wooden mills have closed
and the market is featureless, but the
new wool clip is firmly held. A steadier
tone is noted in silks, owing 10 reports
that production will be curtaled- Irade
is rather quiet in leather, both as 70
sole and upper with prices steady, al
though heavyweight stocks have ac-
cunulated. Chicago packer hides are
duh at recent advanced prices, which
were only on latest sailing. Forelgn dfy
hides are easier, buyers reducing their
FAILURES this week were IT'S in the
United States, against 21S last year, ana
p in Canada, compared with "A year
New York. May 9.-Bradstreet's says
Business continues large and industry
active in most cases SURPRISING pre-
vious years at this date, despite I'M
seasonably cool weather in some sec
lions and a swarm of vexatious labor
troubles.
Most Of the measures of trade and in
dustrial volume still make favorable
showings The simply enormous gain IN
gross railway earnings reported fo1
April, Is per cent. over the best in pre-
vious years. is proof that past good re-
ports Of trade and traffic were fully
justified
.The usual lull in wholesale trade
allows Of some retrosDects and ref1ec-
tons as to the future. Iron production
is at the maximum, but pig IRON IS duIi
and dropping. In sharp contrast with
cruder forms is the strength and ae
tivity in steel and the continued active
sale for finished products. Mems wear
wooden goods are not being taken hold of
freely. and some shortening of running
time is possible at New England mills.
Wool moves fairly. though mostly at
concessions. and the disturbed condi-
ton of raw cotton. prices having
reached the highest point in over two
years. holds back trade for fall, though
rather more DISPOSITION to do business
has been manifested by buyers this
week Strikes and lOckouts interfere
with trade in lumber and other build
ing material. particularly at New York.
On the other hand, the shoe industry
seems to be exceptionally active.
Leather is firmly held Western dry
goods. grocery, hardware, clothing and
millinery iobbers note good recorders,
and the volume of fall orders booked ex-
ceeds a year ago. Southern trade is
affected by unseasonably cold weather
holding back business and comDlicating
the crop situation in cotton, fruits and