Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-04-25
BUSINESS At LEADING POINTS.

At Chicago trade conditions, gener.
ally, are quiet, but are characterized
by growing strength and improving de-
mand. With more seasonable weather
there will be heavier distribution in
retail lines. Sales are somewhat bet
ter than during the previous week in
household necessities, dress goods and
foodstuffs. Business continues of good
volume in groceries and collateral
branches, with prices firm, except in
flour. In other jobbing departments
the volume of sales has maintained sat
i isfactory proportions, particularly in
/ dry goods, notions, carpets and furni-
ture. There was a fair demand for lin-
ems and cotton goods, and shipments Of
clothing, ladies' suits and footwear
were of average proportion. Mercan-
tile collections were a little slow on city
bills, but satisfactory for the country.
Reports from the interior indicate that
merchants anticipate much better buy
ing when farmers are thru with their
spring work and the roads become bet
ter. Agricultural advices complain of
insufficient moisture and low tempera-
lures Seeding, however, is progressing
and the outlook is regarded good, altho
in some sections winter wheat has been
killed and will be replaced with oats.
Railroad traffic has shown no gain in
the freight movement, but there has
been a much larger carrying of passen-
gers and emigrant travel. Manufac-
turers are buster and real estate sales
increasing.
Minneapolis reports retail distribu.
ton OF seasonable goods has increased,
but the spring is still very backward.
Early wheat seeding is still interrupted
by severe storms. Local jobbing houses
report moderately increasing orders.
Prices are satisfactory and collections
noticed in lumber. One large boom
company has already commenced their
log movement and mills will start soon.
Building operations bid fair to exceed
those of last year.
In ST. Paul there is considerable
complaint of slow business from
country merchants. on account of the
backward season. and warmer weather
is needed to stimulate trade. Retailers
have been unable to move stocks and
as result the jobbing trade is quiet in
all departments of spring and summer
goods. In dry goods little improve
inent is reported over the previous
week and markets continue very firm.
st. Louis merchandise shipments by
river and rail the past week exceeded
receipts. The outward bound move
,nent was nearly 20 per cent greater
Business In the leading wholesale lines
is normal, but would be larger if
weather conditions improve. AS it is,
the gain over the corresponding week
last year is quite marked. The in
crease in offerings Of lumber has en-
The Pittsburg window glass market
has improved, the demand is better and
Prices are firm. A large portion of the
wiud6k glass factories held meeting
az Cincinnati last week, and an agree
ment was made as to prices and SELL
ing conditions. AT the meeting it de-
veioped that there were not over 600,
600 boxes of glass In the manufacture,
ers' hands and 1862 pots in blasts out
OF 1000 In the country. Plate glass is
unchanged and prices are firm. Hard
ware is improving and the demand
broadening. Builders hardware is in
hattaka GaA and seasQaaRas Lines are ia