The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-15
TRADE is GOOD.
Retail Business Is Retarded
Some Places by Warm Weather
Many Lines Show Gains Over
October of Last Year.
RAILWAY EARNINGS.
Show Considerable Gains Over
Those a Year Ago.
Corn and Wheat Outturn Proves
Better Then Expected.
RAILWAY EARNINGS.

b0BL0f men EXpeCteUs
New York, Oct. 15.-Bradstreet's
says;
Despite Irregularities, due to warm
weather conditions or to reductions in
crop movement, trade as whole
maintains a satisfactory volume.
Nothing of a boom character is to be
noted, but many lines show gains over
the corresponding period of 1903, con-
nrmation of this being found in best
on record of September railway earn
Ings and clearings enlarged over last
October's weekly totals. The under
lying confidence is, perhaps, best
shown by the increased ease in col
lectiOns, reports as to which are pct
ter than for nearly two years past.
The better than expected corn and
wheat crop outturns, favored by ex-
ceptfOnally warm weather for this sea-
son of the year, has induced freer
buying from jobberS in the central
west and northwest. Business is also
better on the Pacific coast This same
warm weather, however, is a draw
back to retail business, which needs
the stimulus of sharp, cold weather.
In the southwest rather less activity
is noted because of this, and at the
south there is a general report that
the warm. dry weather, while favor
able to picking cotton, is holding back
demand considerably. Eastern trade
also reflects unreasonable weather in
Its effect upon current demand for
fall and winter wear goods, but there
As in addition a backwardness in de-
nnand for dry goods
Eastern shoe factories are receiving
rood orders for mems wear goods Tor
Immediate delivery, indicating that
odd stocks in retail and jobbing lines
have been worked off. Sole leather IS
active and frmer, and hides are strong.
The wool and wooden goods situation
Is strong.
"Our foreign trade returns are ir-
regular in that. while showing record
cotton shipments for the season, our
wheat export trade has practically DIS
appeared, our export flour trade shrunk
greatly and corn shipments are like
wise very small. PROVISIONS exports ,S
show q shrfnkage, but cattle, oil, cop
per, iron and steel and general manu-
faotured exports show gains Exports
of leading agricultural products, De
spite the record shipments of cotton
are the smallest for nine months re-
ports, since 1879.
ss,rhe reports from leading industries
are fully as good as recently mace ;
specially good demand, and in fact all
pig iron is stronger in tone and in bet
ter inquiry In finished products the
features are the improved demand Tor
railway supplies and large orders for
new cars reported. Hardware is &C
tive the country over Domestic de-
mand for anthracite coal is better as
cool weather approaches, but mautac-
turing demand shows little change
Bituminous coal is reported selling bet
ter at the west, and stocks are no
longer oppressive. Lumber is active
at the west, but quiet at the east Cop
per is rather easier on reported with
drawal of export demand"
Dun's Weekly Review of Trade
says;
Progress is slow but sure in the
leading branches of manufa ctUre, con-
tracts being more readily placed Tor
distant delivery, while the percentage
of idle machinery steadily decreases.
Satisfa Glory news from leading iron
and steel centerS tend to strengthen
confidence elsewhere, as the consump-
ton of iron has been found a good
barometer of business conditions. JOB
bling and wholesale trade in fall and
winter wearing apparel expands grad
uaIly, and such spring lines as are
opened meet with a fairly satisfactory
reception, considering the recent dis
position to provide for future require
ments. At many points the return of
warm weather checked the revival of
retail trade in heavy goods, but as
that movement had begun much ear
lier than usual the net result thus far
is better than last year. Building OPP
erations have expanded at some cities,
being a noteworthy record for the
month of September and the permits
recently issued promise well for the
future. Labor is fairly well employed,
according to the latest Official trades
union report, although the Fall River
strike lasted longer than expected
Railroad earnings in the first week in
September were So per cent larger
than in 1908.
Raw wool is in good demand at full
prices. Recent large purchases of
hides established prices in firm po-
sition, but are followed by less ac-
tivity.
Failures this week were 2O6 in the
United States, against 20S last year,
and in Canada "a, compared with &c
a year ago.