The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-16
DECLINE IN TRADE
Volume Of Business Is Smaller
Than a Year Ago.
Condition Is Attributed to Tn
seasonable Weather.
RAILWAY EARNINGS
Show a Slight Falling OFF from
April, 1908.
Manufacturers Interests Fare
Better Than Agricultural.
RAILWAY EARNINGS

New York. april 1s-Bradstreer's
says.
Trade is still irregular, with unsea-
sonably cool weather the chief but not
the only drawback. In some sections.
notably the south and portions of the
east and west. brighter weather nas
helped trade and Incidentally crop pre-
paration. but the poor winter wheat
crop outlook ia the Ohio valley, very
cool weather in the lake regions and
high water or frosts in the western
part Of the cotton belt have affected
business or retarded spring planting
Foreign trade returns have seemed 20
favor the manufacturing rather than
the agricultural interests
Most measures of trade point to
smaller volume Of business than a
year ago, but it is 10 be noted that
while a slight decrease may be shown
in gross railway earnings for March,
the first quarters earnings viii fall
little behind a year ago, showing that
in volume of products moved there Is
little difference from a year ago, and
that the railroads have so far this year
almost held their own.
The industrial situation has not
been entirely favorable Iron and steei,
coal. coke, lumber and naval stores in
in production and consumption or i'm
proved demand from various sources,
but the cotton goods industry is cur
failing production steadily. There IS
less activity in shoe manufacturing.
due to severe winter weather curtail-
ing demand or diVerting il TO rubber
goods. which have been active, ana
the building and other industries arr
marred by labor troubles. which. while
not involving large numbers OF men
result in annoying and expensive de-
lays. The WOODEN goods demand is not
up TO expectations. but the paper
trade. which was hurt by low water
and difficulty II obtaining supplies
during the winter. is now experiencing
q good business The strength OF 4
large number OF staples. such as hides.
leather. iron and steel, cheese. tea,
-four copper and lead, is a noticea be
feature.
while spring trade has been disap-
pointing in many lines and imme diate
business is not up 10 the expectations,
the mum Der Of markets reporting good
orders booked for future delivery Is
large. Collections show little or no
Improvement
Iron is rather uuieter this week
less eagernesS 10 obtain supplies OF pig
being noted AT several markets. Fail
ure Of leading interests to cal for the
Iull supplies OF outside iron allowed
FOR on their options has not been q
strengthening feature. and the iron
ore price situation has not Yet been
definitely arranged. Figures Of con
sumption show marked increases in
output in the cast two months with
however. no accumulation OF stocks
Finished products are in good de-
mand- but manufacturers are buying
merely TO fill requirement. Some
heavy transactions in cars are ex-
pected-
r. G. Dun < Cos Weekly Review Of
Trade SAYS
''Tardy spring weather. following an
unusually severe winter ma keS IL diff
1icult TO restore satisfa ctorv trade con
diuons. bur il IS encouraging to find
at many points this unreasonable
weather the only cause of complaint
and there is always hone that the
early losses may be made up. at least
IN large measure. when the normal
conditions arrive In the meantime
sales OF dry goods are restricted and
STOCKS IN all positions from producer
TO consumer are larger than is de-
sirable- Aside from the cotton states.
where business IS brisk. the week 5
olspa1ches indicate that early gains
were maintained but little further
progress occurred Labor controver-
sizes are sti-l an adverse factor
Railway earnings in the first week
than last gear
NO definite check TO progress in the
IRON ana steel industry is discerna1
although il lacks uniformity and ia
some departments it is difficult to fad
announcement. Insofar as pressure
for immediate delivery is concerns.F
bar iron and steel are most prominent.
makers Of agricultural implements be-
Ing impOrrunate Not only is il DIM
cult TO secure delivery OF bars. bu1
shipments four weeks hence are con
sidered prompt, and some orders run
up 20 the end Of the year.
Floods at the west have made II
impossible 10 begin proposed strucrur-
al work and aside from supplies for re-
psir shops the railways are still oper-
auug on a moderate scale. The ore
situation remains unsettled.
Firmness and activity continue n
the Chicago packer hide market and
foreign dry hides are held steady by
the prompt absorption OF arrivals al
though quotations are unchanged in
the leather market, some Improvement
Is noted New England footwear
shops have received but few supple
lnentary fan orders from statesmen fr
the west and eastern wholesalers have
ample stocks Of staple lines 10 rr,aa-
current requirements without seeking
prompt delivery from manufacturers
IN textile manufacturing there is
no Improvement The recent upyra I'd
tendency OF cotton goods has give
place 10 market distinctly favoriua
purchasers This is usually a duIl sea
son IN mems wear WoOlens and worss-
ed and the past week has proved T.,
exception.
Failures this week number 225 If
the United States against 212 last veal
and IS ia Canada compared with is i
year ago
Cured Consumption.
Mrs =. W EEsans. Clearwater. Kan