The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-02

ing, iron and steel plants gaining
ground, footwear exhibiting the natural
reaction from an unprecedented produc-
ton in 1903, while textile mills have
much idle machinery and little forward
business to encourage operation. Lum-
Der and building materials are in better
demand, although floods at the west and
labor troubles at the east retarded
structural work to some extent. At
Baltimore the general situation is salts
factory despite the fact that rebuilding
of the devastated district is hampered
by efforts to secure legislative enact
ments regarding the arrangement of
streets. Transportation is still interrupt
ed by scarcity of cars. although in the
coke region there is less congestion and
railway earnings thus far reported for
March are about IL per cent smaller
than last year. Agricultural prospects
are unchanged, better weather condi-
lions at some points being offset by less
favorable news from other regions and
the price situation is extremely irreg-
ulaT.
Further progress in the right direc-
ton is reported in the iron and steel
industry. Pig iron is in better de-
vancing slightly and the outlook for
sufficient supplies of coke has improv-
ed, owing to less traffic congestion and
more prompt transportation from the
ovens to the furnaces. The most dis
| turbing factor at present is the atti-
tude of tin plate workers; those who
have been idle apparently favoring the
acceptance of the proposed wage re-
duction, while others recently employ
ed are faVoring resistance. Large con-
tracts for casting and pipe are under
consideration and work on the Penn
sylvania tunnel will do much
to restore normal conditions at many
places. Western inquiries for cast iron
pipe promise much activity in that
line and implement manufa cturers are
buster than at any recent date. AgrI-
cultural needs are expected to be very
heavy. including wagons, tools and all
kinds of modern machinery, while there
is evidence OF increased business for
carshops and locomotive works after a
long season of indifference on the part
of railroads.
increased activity and somewhat
firmer quotations in western hide
markets resulted from more interest
on the part of tanners. one conc ern
alone taking $4,000 hides. On the other
hand, leather rs dull and is neglected
with notable ease in betting butts.
while the recent activity in harness
leather has subsidized. Wholesale trade
in boots and shoes has expanded and
New England shops are receiving drg-
ent calls for quick delivery. Better
weather stimulates restrained distri-
future. Manufacturers are extremely
conservative, however, despite larger
| orders, for the labor outlook is by no
means settled. Sellers of cotton have
| counted on liberal supplementary
business owing to small initial pur-
chases, but thus far buyers have been
4 able to confine operations within mar
row limits. Insofar as any change is
Derce0tible in the market. the tcne is
slightly weaker and little forward
/ business is reported. Trade in woo!ens
/ continues dun.
Commercial failures this week in
the United States are 20S against 226
last week and 229 the preceding week,
and 173 the corresponding week last
/ year. Failures in Canada number If,
against Is last week. 81 the preceding
week and Is last year"