The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-08
Business Situation Has Many
Points of Encouragement.
Crops Are Now Almost Beyond
Danger.
SECURITIES HIG HE r
Than at Any Time Since Month
Of May, 1908.
Idle Machinery RssumIng at
Many Factories.

New York, Oct. s.-R. C. Dun's week.
~ review of trade says:
with the crops almost beyond dan
ger, prices of securities at the highest
point since May, 1903, and Idle ma
cninery resuming at many factories and
mills that have been closed for months
the business outlook grows steadily
brighter. By far the best feature of
the situation is the confidence manifest
ed by an increased disposition to pro-
vide for future requirements. This is
by no means general, but it is noticed
at pig iron furnaces, wooden mills and
among dealers at widely separated
points, particularly those located In the
AGRICULTURAL sections. Mercantile collee-
tions are also more prompt and railway
earnings for the month OF september
same month last year, while foreign
commerce at this port for the last week
shows increases of $1,O51, 2OS In imports
and $41o,74S in exports as compared with
a year ago. Dispatches from the iedu-
ing cities are almost unanimous IN tell
ing of improved conditions.
For the first time in many months
At is possible to report that sellers OF pig
iron appear to have slight advantage.
They have been able to dictate terms
as to delivery in some cases, and at the
south, where the miners strike is sun
1T is more difficult to find evidence of
Increased movement of steel, although
a fair tonnage was taken by railways.
Wire mills will not accept contracts for
distant delivery on account OF grow
ing belief that better terms viii be Sc
cured in the near future. Pipe Is quI que,
and structural shapes are not eagerly
sought, but merchant steel is active ana
the tonnage of plates is encouraging;
Actual business of finished steel Is sun
ant n
tinent is unmistakabIe and might be
followed very soon by something more
tangible. Export trade is also pro1nlS-
ing. Coke ovens are resum1ng ana cur
rent movement is heavy, but prices are
too low to make long term contracts at
tractive to producers. Sort coal aisO
feels the stimulus of increased activity
at manufacturing plants: Hloes nave
shown unusual activity at generally
higher level of prices, and the leather
market is also in a better posltlon-
Footwear factories report a large de-
anand for quick shipment of fall shoes,
machinery being fully occupied Tor a
time on this business, but there is some
UneaSiness regarding the future because
spring orders come forward less freely.
A little better demand appeared IN prl-
mary markets for cotton goods, but 1t
was checked later. in the week, when
manufacturers failed to make conces-
sions. Duplicate orders for mems wear,
vvoolens and worsteds are also coming
TO the mills, which are busy making de-
lfveries on old contracts.
Failures this week in the United
States are 222, against 223 last week,
225 the preceding week, and 239 the
corresponding week last year Fail
ures in Canada number %, against IS
last week, 80 in the preceding week.
and II last year"
Bradstreets says:
popular estimates of leading crop
Yields continue to enlarge. Corn has
passed out of danger of serious frost
damage in the west, and distribution.
both at wholesale and retail expands
as cooler weather approaches. Add
tfonal favorable features are the con-
tinuance of the good tone in pig iron,
freer buying by railways OF material
and rolling stock, and heavy general
crop movement, helping COLLECTIONS
north and south. While the buying
of dry goods, hardware, groceries,
shoes and clothing continues or good
volume, particularly at the west con-
sentative influences find reflection in
small but frequent orders, calculated
10 meet necessities. The transporta-
ton movement is heavy and railway
earnings show an expanding tend
ency, the gain for September prom
Using to be per cent. over 1903
There are some flaws in the stu
alton which stamp this as an off year
when compared with previous periods
of great prosperity Relatively, most
activity IN current alstri ithi
lumber, hardware, or building mate
rial, exists in the west and northwest.
Cooler weather is needed In the south
to stimulate retail activity. In the
east business is not so active in some
Industrial centers which have felt the
pinch of the spring and summer de-
preston in building or in textile in
dustry. Some eastern industries, like
machinery and tool making, Jewelry
and silverware manufacturing. are
looking up, however. The coal trade
shows little Improvement. The east
ern shoe trade has its machinery
pretty we'll employed on fall goods, but
as shipments are per cent. less than
a year ago for the season, there is little
doubt that this is an off year in that
trade. Leather is firm and hides are
strongly held
Business failures in the United
States for the week ending october
number 1876, against 179 last week, 197
IN the like week in 1903, 40 in 1902
1ss in 1901, and 210 in 1900. In Can
ada failures for the week number 10
as against 81 last week and 1S in this
week a year ago"
Bank Clearings.