The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-30
BUYING SHORT.
Merchants Restrict Purchases
to Immediate Requirements.
Business Situation Is DOminat-
ed by the Weather.
LITTLE SPRING TRADE.
Floods and Storms Have Inter-
rupted Traffic.
Railway Earnings for April
Show a Slight Loss.
LITTLE SPRING TRADE.

New York, April 3O-R. G. Dun <
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade, says:
Business continues to move in most
conservative channels, purchases being
restricted to immediate requirements
and weather conditions dominating the
situation TO an unusual extent At
many points there has been little
spring trade and the transition from
winter to summer Will be accomplished
with scarcely any intermediate season.
Considering this adverse factor, the
current volume of business Is remarka-
bly, satisfactory. Building operations
are also deferred to a late date Much
structural work is projected, however,
and at some favored points last years
record promises to be surpassed. As
q rule manufacturing plants are not
working at full capacity, idle machine
~ being most extensive in textile in
dustries. Floods and storms have IN
terrupted traffic, yet railway earnings
thus far reported for April are only
6.5 per cent smaller than last year. Iron
and steel conditions are still devoid OF
any definite changes. In several de
partmentS the week has brought slight
" increased activity, notably in mer-
chant steel pipe and structural shape,
but in many branches there is heSlta-
ton. The nearer fundamental lines are
approached the less strength is seen
Pig iron is also weaker at P1ttSbuFS,
and the rapid increase in blast furnace
activity has lifted the capacity above
the markets requirements. Unless
contracts for the third quarter are soon
placed on a liberal scale it is probable
that the output will be checked. Wire
mills have maintained activity, but
some tinplate works are interrupted by
disputes regarding details of the wage
reduction. Contracts for Pennsylvania
railroad tunnel castings are being
sought al very low prices, and this IS
also approaching contamination. Fuel
markets send conflicting reports, an
take advantage of the spring discounts,
but soft coal and coke are about quiet,
because of idleneSS at many factories
Conditions are less satisfactory in
the dry goods trade than at any prevl-
Gus time this season. Distribution ut
retail is restricted by the weather, and
there are no cOmpensating factors. In
mems wear wOOlens and worsted goods
per cent of the mills are now idle.
Carpets are also dull and some cancel
latiOns are reported.
Activity and strength is reported in
the western hide markets, sales of
over 100000 being reported on Thurs
day, when the leading interest re-
sumed purchasing. Trading in for-
eign dry hides is only limited by ar
rivals, as demand is good at full
values.
Forwarding of footwear from Bos-
ton continues to fall about an aver
age of 5000 cases a week behind last
years movement. Bad weather is the
paramount figure in maintaining quiet
conditions in boots and shoes.
Failures this week number POP in
the United States, against 203 last
year, and Is in Canada, compared
with 10 a year ago.
Bradstreet's says:
Distributive trade continues quiet at
most markets, and April trade the
country over has not equaled year
absence of ha
usual volume of spring demand is de-
pressing to dealers, who fear they will
be obliged to carry over surplus stocks.
Signs of improvement, however, are
noted in the northwest, where better
weather has helped retail and whole
sale trade. Pacific coast trade and
crop advices are better than of late
and while weather and crop condi-
tions are backward at the south, the
exceptionally strong position of the
leading interests renders the outlook
for the future very hopeful
Backward weather has retarded
cotton planting and spring wheat
seeding, while crop termination and
growth is generally reported slow the
country over.
During the first four months of the
year upwards of $4,000 men have
struck for various causes, but while
there is considerable unrest rather less
than the usual May day disturbances
are looked for,
The demand for pig iron is rather
quiet. the lack of inquiry showing eff
feet in Bessemer pig
Price fluctuations this week have
been relatively unimportant, though
the tendency, as a whole, has been
slightly downward. Weather condi-
uons play a leading part in the de-
mand for building materials, which
are active at some markets and slow
or sale at others. Special activity is
noted at western cities and on the Pa
cific coast
DECLINE WAS GENERAL.
Total Bank CIearings Show a Loss of
IA Per Cent.