Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-04-27
BUSINESS FEATURES.

like Mr.. Carnegie.
BUSINESS FEATURES.
Trade responded promptly to better
weather in many sections of the coun-
try, notable activity appearing in sea-
sonable lines of wearing apparel, yet
wholesalers report conservatism as
compared with the earlier months this
year, altho business is more active than
it vas a yea ago. Some branches are
still backward, and there is more or
less complaint regarding collections,
while renewals are frequently asked.
Outdoor work is vigorously prosecuted,
agricultural communities endeavoring
to make up lost time, and structural un-
lumber and building materials, sustain
ing quotations. Labor problems are be-
ing solved with encouraging celebrity;
threatened coal troubles reaching a
prompt settlement, bridge workers re-
Stunning In large numbers. textile con-
troversies falling to spread as was
feared, while many transportation
companies have made concessions and
prevented any interruption to traffic.
Lake navigation has hail the expected
effect in reducing rail freight conges-
ton, and shipments are more prompt,
yet there is no diminution In the splen-
did increase of gross railway earnings,
which show a gain of 1871 per cent over
last years figures for April thus far
and 1858 per cent over 1901. Much less
speculation accounts for the loss of 30.7
per cent in New York bank exchanges
with the corresponding week
of 1902, and 40.4 per cent compared with
1901. At other leading cities there were
gains of 5.5 and Ills per cent, respect
lively.
Iron and steel are in better shape.
deliveries of coke have been SO large as
to threaten accumulation, and predic-
lions as to the permanence of high
prices have ceased. AmLle supplies of
fuel make 1t possible for blast furnaces
to turn out pig iron in abundance, as
this was the only drawback. and a new
|high-water mark of production may be
expected for the month of April. While
the dry goods markets nave enjoyed a
better spot demand because of fine
weather, conditions at the leading tex
tile mills have not materially improved.
Increased orders are chiefly confined to
specialties. OF which iobbers' supplies
are limited. or to supplementary buy
ing for immediate needs. Until cotton
can be purchased more cheaply there is
little prospect of generally lower quota
tions for goods, and. on the other hand,
purchasers exhibit no inclination to adj
vance bids or even buy freely at pres
|ent lists.
Last weeks slight Improvement in
|heavy-weight woolens has been barely
and duplicate orders come
forward slower than usual.
Fluctuations In quotations of the
great staples have been less extensive
during the past week. with a slightly
higher level as the net result, and only
a fair degree of activity. Winter wheat
maintains its splendid progress, and no
loss need result from the delay in spring
wheat operations. Soft roads and ac-
t!vity on the farms have restricted the
marketing of old wheat, yet western re-
ceipts for the week aggregated 1884,
1874 bushels, against 1,4T5,172 bushels a
year ago. Quiet conditions prevail in
corn, receipts of 1874. 6S4 bushels COM
pairing with 1,394,479 bushels in 1902,
while Atlantic exports were 1,493,93
bushels, against 340,237 bushels a year
|ago.
Liabilities of commercial failures thus
far reported for April aggregate $10,-
299, 2T4, of which s5,75!,205 We're in
manufacturing, $3.943,13e in trading
and $59S,933 In other commercial lines.
Failures the past week were 1876 in the
United States, against 212 last year. and
fifteen in Canada, compared with eight
cen a year ago.
S~chooldays.
Lord, let me make this rule:
To think OF life as schoo
And try my best
To stand each test