The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-30
CHECK TO TRADE.
Weather Conditions UnfaVOr-
able Over Large Area.
Transportation Interfered With
by Heavy Shows.
BUILDING SUSPENDED.
Manipulation Renders Market
Condition Unsatisfactory.
Lowering of Prices Has Not
Had Anticipated Effect.

New York. Jan. 30--Bradstreet's says:
Weather conditions have been I'M
favorable throughout a wide area, and,
while in some instances helpful to retail
trade, extreme cold or heavy SHOWS
have rather sharply checked spring
trade and retarded transportation.
There is a rather quieter feeling found
also in several lines of speculation and
of industry. An exception to this is
found in the south, which section, slim
ulated by almost undreamed of cotton
prices, is preparing to plant an enor-
nous acreage.
Spring trade, which was opening up
actively in the southwest has been
brought practically to a standstill for
the time being by zero weather.
Rather less satisfactory reports
come from the iron and steel trade.
Southern iron is claimed to be I'M
changed, but northern iron is weaker,
foundry grades not being in active de-
mand. The railroads are still out of
the market for rails, and finished pro-
ducts, excepting at a few western mar
kets. are rather duller. Structural ma
terial is quiet, and some makers are re-
ported cutting billet prices Wire, wire
mand at Pittsburg. Tin plates have
been marked down and the tendency
of other products is toward ease. Some
exceptions to the quieter feeling are
apparent, especially in some lines of
hardware, which at most markets is re-
ported at least as active as a year ago.
1.-The strain in the cotton goods
branch of the textile market increases
rather than diminishes with the steady
upward flight of the raw material. Buy
ers of cotton goods have shown dis
position to trade more freely and to
pay higher prices, but at all markets
sellers are slow to I'LL orders except AT
value Mems wear woolenS for next
It'll
pected.
LESS activity is reported in the plac-
| ing of orders for shoes, this, apparent
Iy, growing out of the insistence by
manufacturers upon an ascending range
of prices forced upon them, by the
higher values of leather and hides.
Weather conditions are unfavorable to
outdoor activity. Building is practical
ly suspended at a number of cities, and
lumber is generally quieter.'
R. G. Dun & Co.'s Weekly Review of
Trade says:
Business conditions would be most
satisfactory If present high prices for
the leading staples were the result OF
wholesome demand but the prominence
of manipulation prevents any such
gratifying conclusions. Aside from the
lines temporarily stimulated by severe
weather, trade is quiet and evidences
of increased activity with the approach
of spring are hopefully awaited. Re
4
prepared by branch offices of X. u.
Dun & Co., at the leading cities, and
| indicate that high cost of materials and
labor have curtailed operations, al
though the year 1903 showed a good
gain over 1902 Demand for lumber is
gradually improving stocks in the
/ yards are light as result, and attrac-
/ tive prices promise a large cut. Wealth
er conditions are favorable for winter
wheat. Transportation has suffered
some interruption by storms, but rail-
way earnings thus far reported for
| January are 3.s per cent larger than IN
1903
Optimistic reports are not numerous
regarding the iron and steel industry
Authorizations of rapid recovery with the
advent of a new year are not yet re-
| allied, although it is still hoped thai
i new business can not be much longer
deferred. That prices have declined bul
! little further is perhaps the best thai
can be said of results during the past
1 week. Quotations have not been main
| tanned by expansion of demand. how
| ever, and there are still many prospec-
| tive purchasers who hold back con-
| tracts, feeling satisfied that there is az
| danger of advancing prices, and ans
/ change that may occur will be in then
| favor few new contracts for bridges
| and buildings have taken structural
| steel, and fair encouraging reports are
issued regarding new business in Wir'
and tube departments, but orders FOL
steel rails are lamentablv small, tht
railroads stubbornly waiting for con