Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-10
Prompt Collections bear Test
mony to the Strong Finan-
cial Position of Nation
GOOD OPENING OF NEW YEAR
Fuel Situation Still the Principal Dis
turbine Element in the Commercial
Notwithstanding of Railroad Rates to
East Will Defect Traffic to New Or
Ieans-Failures Fewer.

| New York, Jan. 10.-R. q. Dun q
Co.'S weekly review of trade TO-DAY
says:
| Collections are notably prompt at all
leading centers, bearing testimony to
| the strong financial position OF the ma
! tons industries at the opening OF the
new year. Distribution Of merchandise
| is heavy and manufacturers are pressed
| for prompt delivery. Orders for spring
goods come freely, and in some lines
there is more than sample business in
fall weights. Tardy deliveries In the
past lead purchasers TO anticipate re-
uuirements more than heretofore, and
orders are being placed far In advance
lof actual needs. The fuel situation is
still the one industry disturbing ele-
ment, rendering abnornally high the
cost of manufacturing and restricting
the purchasing power of almost the en-
/ tire population Fortunately this comes
at time of exceptional prosperity, or
there would be general contraction of
labor disputes, but many operations are
interrupted in the delay in transmission
Of materials. Railway freight rates
were advanced and one result will be
a loss of expectations from eastern
cities, the traffic being DETECTED to New
Orleans. In the iron and steel INDUS
| try the most significant event OF the
week was the discussion regarding the
profit sharing proposal by the leading
producer.
Inadequate supplies Of coke are re-
stricting contracts for the new year
made at "a a ton. but prompt deliveries
often command IS or IS, and at Chica-
go some sales were reported at $40.
Pig iron continues scarce, prices gen.
orally advancing during the past week
and an expected advance OF 81 ton
was made in wire products. Much new
business has come forward, especially
in bars and sheets, which had been
comparatively quiet, while there is
vigorous demand for structural materi-
al to be used in bridge work and car
shops. Another year Of unprecedented
activity in this industry is confidently
anticipated. Partially because of the
published statistics of supplies, but
more on account of London speculation,
there was a sharp advance in prices Of
tin and copper, followed by some reac-
ton due in realizing sales.
New England producers Of foot wear
are booking spring orders and few
deliveries have already been made, al
tho shipments are light in these lines as
yet.
Exceptional activity in rubber goods
has reduced supplies to an unusually
low point. Some varieties of leather
have advanced slightly and the tanners
Of hemlock soles have only limited
holdings. Exports of hemlock sole con-
tinue heavy.
No features have appeared in the do
mestic demand for dry goods. The best
event as to cotton has been the contin-
ued buying for export, which has raised
the price largely. The print cloth mar
ket has ruled firm with business re-
stricted by the reserve Of sellers, who
show no disposition to let go of their
present holdings at the prices offered.
Failures for the past week numbered
1896 in the United States, against S46
last year, and 81 in Canada, compared
with q year ago.