Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-10-17
General Trade and Industry
Still Lacks the Spur OF
Insistent Demand
CROPS ARE SLOW TO MOVE
Business is Fair in Contra West, But
the Quetness in the East is increas-
ine-Money Easier at Larger centers,
With Collections Still sow-eran
Exports.
Exports.

New York, Oct. IL r. G. Dun 6,
Co.'S weekly review of trade today
says:
| While some contraction in trade and
| industry has undoubtedly taken place,
| 1t is not in proportion to the reduction
| of 20 per cent in pig iron output or the
reaction in prices of securities, altho In
normal years these have usually pre-
| sented fair barometers. Many branches
force With large orders still untitled,
while the latest returns of the crops
are most encouraging. Finance ana
labor are disturbing elements this year,
neutralized very largely by favorable
commercial and agricultural conditions.
The net result is a fairly Well main
tanned volume of trade, offset by con-
servatism in carrying out projected new
undertakings and proposed extensions
of facilities. Railway earnings thus
far available for October, are per cent
larger than last year, and III per cent
above 1901.
There is evidence that the decline
in quotations of steel has been check
ed, although it is occasionally stated
that special terms are made on impor-
tant contracts. A better inpiry is not
ed in the west pig iron being freely
taken by open hearth steel furnaces
and makers of railway supplies, and In.
some favored lines the new orders Gov
err deliveries thru all of next year. A
significant event was the announcement
that control of the Charlton Steel Com
pany had not passed to the leading
producer but these mills. with their
modern equipment, will continue to
operate.
Footwear factories are busy on con-
tracts that Will require some time to
finish, yet there are indications that
trade Is quieting down In the east.
More idle machinery has resumed al
cotton mills but the cost of raw cotton
is considerably above a parity with the
nrice buyers are willing to give for
goods.
Woolens are dull in mems wear fa-
brics and quiet in dress goods.
Failures this week number EOS in
the United States. against zoo las
YEAR. and in Canada %, compared with
81 a year ago.
Bradstreet's says:
General trade and industry still lacks
he spur of insistent demand which has
been so conspicuously present in the
autumn OF recent years. Exceptions TO
his are noted in the southwest, the
hard winter wheat section, where de-
mand as a whole is reported as equal
to hast year: at some points In the
northwest and on the Pacific coast
In the central west business is fair,
but at the east the quietnsss IS IN
creasing, and reports from the south
are rather less optimistic. Reasons for
this are not far to seek. sympathetic
reflection of depression in securities IS
shown in more conservative and eau
tious buying at wholesale. Crops gem
orally are slow to move. Cereal pro-
ducers are apparently disinclined to ac-
cept the present prices for their pro-
ducts, and the lower price of cotton re-
ported some time ago. with mucn less
favorable adv;ces from that crop.
The shut Down OF iron furnaces fails
to stimulate values in this line. Money
is easier at the larger centers. but
while this makes 1t less difficult to get
accommodations. this very fact IS re-
garded as evidence of quietness in
many lines. releasing funds which
ordinarily would be in active request.
Collections are slow
Reports of suspension of improve
ment work by railroads come rather
earlier than usual this year, but sales
of new rails, cars and supplies, point
to much of this being largely season.
able While dry goods and textiles re-
port dullness in many places. groceries.
hardware ana food products move free
" because of price conditions being
easier. Eastern cotton mills have not
vet resumed in full: are buying spar
ingly as yet. but wool is in rather bet
ter sale to cover orders booked.