The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-10
Reports of the Commercial
Agencies Full of Optimism.
Wholesale Trade Better Than
1t Was a Year Ago.
RAILWAY EARNINGS
Show a Gain of More Than 10
Per Cent Over Last Year.
Nearly ALI Cities Record an In
crease I'm Bank Clearings.

New York, Dec. 1O-Bradstreet'
says: While distribution displays
more irregularity. manufacturing IN
dustries with few exceptions continue
very active. The large decline in cot
ton has checked southern trade and
collections, and mild weather retards
business in the southwest. part of the
northwest and the Ohio valley. The
leading lake cities, however. show i'm
provement in most lines and in collec-
tons. Wholesale distribution, as usual
at this season. tends to quietness,
though In excess of year ago. West
ern jobbers fail to report an active
recorder movement in staples, but ho1i-
day trade is progressing favorably and
promises, with the right kind of wealth
er. to reach large total Holiday
specialties in groceries, dry goods and
fancy articles have had & large sale
and the hardware trade east and west
is in excellent shape.
The winter wheat situation is still
not entirely clear. The feeling is one
of optimism in trade. Confidence in
the south's ability to withstand the
drop in cotton and hold for better
prices is freely expressed, and while
the temporary effect of the decline has
been to unsettle cotton manufacturing,
the ultimate effects are expected to be
favorable. The rest of the country
seems to look forward to 1905 with
confidence and some lines report a full
quarters trade already practically
booked.
Railway earnings returns point to
very heavy traffic proceedings. Gross
returns for November show an aggre-
gate gain of 10 Il per cent over last
year.
Bank clearings are of enormous vol
ume and compare favorably. not only
with last years small totals but with
the large transactions of previous
years, and were only is per cent be-
low the record week ending May 10.
1901.
Among the industries. iron and steel
show most confidence. Pig iron
while perhaps in less general demand
is higher at northern markets and
shown in the other metals after re-
cent advances. but copper is quite
steady. Tin is lower. Cold weather
and the advance in the season helps
the coal trade east and west. Coke is
In active demand. but drouth and lack
of cars check deliveries and interfere
with western furnace activity.
Wool is firmly held, with stocks light
and manufa cturers not as yet fully
covered for the season. though trade is
quiet. The hide, leather and shoe
trades show little change
New York. Dec. 10.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says: |
Wall streets severe reaction was not /
due to any setback in the commercial |
world, all nea sures of legitimate trade |
showing wholesome progress. and con- |
fdence in the future is mistaken.
Railway earnings in November ay-
eraged 90 per cent. greater than in |
the same month of 1903, and the dis
tribution of merchandise is sufficiently |
heavy to produce freight blockades at /
several points. Manufacturing plants /
report increased output in almost /
every instance, except where made |
Quate water supply provides a tenn
porary interruption. Seasonable |
weather has stimulated retail trade in /
wearing apparel and holiday goods are |
in great demand. Foreign commerce |
at this port for last week shows a gain !
of S2,02S,971 in export as compared |
with the same week last year, while |
imports increased $2,0OS,591.
Strength continues in the hide mar
ket. Moderate offerings of foreign /
dry hides are readily absorbed at fur |
Their fractional advances.
Failures this week numbered 239 in /
the United States against 231 last year |
and &c in Canada compared with 20 |
a year ago.