The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-27
MORE BUYERS.
Better Crop Reports Have Slim
ulatsd Trade.
Industrial Assumptions q Fea-
ture of the Situation.
EXPORTS SHOW LOSS.
Steel Rail Business Gives Evil
dence Of improvement.
Structural Steel Is Affected by
Labor Controversies.

New York.Aug. 27.-Bradstreet's says;
Rather better western crop reports
and the advance of the fall season have
brought an increased number of buy
ers to nearly all western and eastern
markets. This has resulted in an en-
largement of fall distribution, which,
however, has proceeded along conserva-
tive lines, with staple products notably
IN most demand. A feature of the week
throughout the country has been clear
ance sales of summer goods by retail
ers which have enlarged distribution In
this line, no doubt to be reflected later
on collections. Industrial assumptions
are numerous and the number OF opera
tives involved is considerable.
The labor situation is still rather
complex, q large number of additional
building hands striking in New York,
and smaller disturbances being gener-
ally widely scattered Against this,
however, is to- be cited the practical
disappearance from some sections OF
the effect growing out of the meat
strike. A rather better tone is noted IN
textile manufacturing circles. the erect
of numerous assumptions OF cotton
mills and the disposition to take hold
shown by buyers of textiles at first and
second hands. PyrOtechnicS in the
cotton market and uncertainty as to
the future price of that staple, now
ever, hold down buying What few
railway earnings are available point TO
slight gains over the corresponding
month a year ago.
Raw wool is in rather better de-
mand and firm, with secured woods
strong. Boston notes an Improvement
in duplicate orders for shoes, and the
proba bility is that scarcity in the
supply of leather will be revealed.
Lumber is fairly active at the north
west, but rather quiet at the east,
where building trade troubles affect
distribution.
Recent cuts in finished steel and
iron products have contributed to the
uncertainty of buyers who are inclined
to hold back pending further develop
mentS. The feature in the rail trade
has been a large order 100000 tOns) for
the Canadian Pacific railway, reported
as having been placed on basis OF So,
while much more has been placed
by domestic roads. Uncertainty as to
the coal miners strike In the Birming-
ham district grows as the trouble is
protracted, and Alabama furnace men
are buying largely of Virginia coke
Copper is slightly easier on the week,
while tin is fractionally higher.
Business failures for the week
ending August 25 in the United states
number 1s5. against 2OS last week,
142 in the like week in 1903, lao in
1902. 1SS in 1901 and 165 in 1900.
In Canada failures for the week
number 26. as against 3 last week
and % in this week year ago.
-. L0+A - ~
of trade says
Trade has improved somewhat,
chiefly because of better crop pros
poets and the fact that last weeks
variations in prices of steel products
failed to demoraiize that industry. The
industrial atmosphere is still disturbed
by the labor controversies, however,
and it will be impossible to fully re-
store national prosperity until the pro-
portion of voluntarily unemployed
wage earners is greatly reduced. Dis
patches from leading cities indicate
irregular conditions, but there is in
creasing confidence IN the future.
Prospects are considered bright on the
Pacific coast because of the high
prices paid for farm products. For
eign commerce at this port for the
last week was unfavorable, exports
showing a loss of $1.091.9O5 as COM
pared with the same week last year,
while imports decreased S3.267, 773.
Price uncertainty still dominates the
steel and iron market. Various con-
structions were placed on the recent
reduction. but whatever the object
may have been. the result has certain
" initiated against recovery at a most
critical time, and the nope that still |
more attractive quotations may pre-
vail causes postponement in placing
contracts. While business is decided |
ly quiet on the whole, several con-
tracts have been placed covering a |