The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-19
Business Was Retarded Tenn
porarIIy by Recent Storms.
Commercial Reports Generally
Are Chased as Encouraging.
RAILWAY EARNINGS
Are 8.6 Per Cent. Larger Than
During Last November.
Foreign Trade Exceeds the Most
Sanguine Expectations.

New York, Nov. 1s.-R. C. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review OF Trade says:
Business was retarded by the storms
which interrupted telegraphic commun-
ication, but the loss was quickly re-
covered, and retail trade responded to
the lower temperature, while a large
jobbing distribution of holiday goods
occurred. Fall River mills were reopen
ed, but the operatives did not return in
sufficient numbers to keep the machine
ry active, and there is still difficulty
regarding the water supply in the Con-
nellSville coke region, which handbags
the blast furnaces. Other commercial
reports are encouraging, and, on the
whole, conditions steadily improve.
Gradual progress is desirable providing
less danger of such advances in prices
as will curtail consumption. Confidence
is increasing, particularly in the steel
and textile industries, and building OPP
erations are very vigorous for the sea-
son. while mercantile collections are
more prompt. Farm staples are slight
ly cheaper in response to splendid dis
patches from agricultural centers, and
several freight blockades have delayed
the delivery of grain and merchandise
Railway earnings thus far reported Tor
November are Sc per cent larger than
last year
Foreign trade, is exceeding the most
sanguine expectations. Official returns
for October make the value OF exports
1852, $40, 1893, exceeding every month on
record with the exception of October,
1900, which reported only $SOO,00O larger
exports.
From the highest forms of machine-
~ and other finished steel products,
down to scrap and pig iron, there is eV-
idence of a better demand and an up
ward tendency in quotations. Restrlct-
ed supplies of coke have some influence
but more permanent ana WholesoInS
factors predominate. If the natural
disposition to initiate prices is resisted,
there is very reason to antlclpate
satisfactory years business IN TINS IN
dustry during 1906, but recovery VIII be
slower if consumption is discouraged by
prohibitive quotations.
las the packer hide market is close
ly cleaned up, and many Varletes sou
for distant delivery, there is a tenden-
cy toward higher prices despite the
lessened activity. This strength is re-
fiected in leather, which has the addl-
tional stimulus of continuous exports.
New England shoe factories have large
contracts on hand for spring delivery,
and statesmen will soon start west with
fall samples. Progress in cotton goods
is still very slow, but buyers are grad
ually exhibiting a little more disposition
to provide for the future
Cheaper Russian woods are being
tried for clothing fabrics, and large
American attendance is expected al
the London sale next week.
Failures this week numbered Z1l
in the United States, against 249 last
year, and 81 in Canada, compared
with II a year.
Bradstreet's says:
Reports from the great basic in
dustries are more favorable and
wholesale jobbing trade in holiday and
spring goods displays a more con-
fident tone. Interior buyers appear
more willing to stock up and are meet
ing with fair success despite the fact
aNffx in
fall farm work, and some holding
back by farmers retards retail trade
and collections in the west and north
west. Cold weather at the east ana
seasonable conditions at the south in
duce better reports as to final distribu-
ton from those sections. Trade gen.
orally is showing gains over CORE
spending periods a year ago, ana the
aggregate years business in most lines
will make better comparisons than at
one time seemed possible. Money dis
plays remarkable ease, crop moving
necessities are about satisfied and a re-
turn flow from the country is appar-
emily in sight. Gross railway earnings
show a tendency to increase late gains
and to swell earnings for the year to
totals above those of 1903. Net re-
turns may fall behind last year, but
only slightly. Dry weather for winter
wheat is a flaw in the outlook, but
may be yet repaired with seasonable
climatic conditions. The coal trade is
improving, iron and steel are active
and buoyant in price, and cotton tex
tiles, long hesitant display more life.
Raw wool is higher on the week,
available supplies being closely cur
tailed. This tends to unsettle the mar
ket for mems wear material for next
fall.
There has been a material i'm
provement in jobbing distribution
since the election. Cold weather will
help seasonable goods, such as heavy
dry goods. clothing, boots and shoes.
Hardware and groceries are also ac-
tive at western points.
Leather and it's allied products are
strong, the tendency of prices is up
ward, and the only doubt expressed is
whether shoe manufacturers can sue
coed in getting the higher prices rem
dered necessary by the advance in the
raw material.
business failures in the United
States for the week ending November
II number 100, against 1874 last week,
234 in the like week in 1908 and 201
in 1902; 223 in 1901 and PIT in 1900.
''In Canada failures for the week
number "a, as against 20 last week and
16 in this week year ago."
Bank Clearlngs.
New York, Nov. 19-The following table,
compiled by Bradstreet. shows the bank
clearings at the principal cities for the
centage of increase and decrease as COM
pared with the corresponding week last
year:
Cities Clearings. Inc. Dec.
New York ...........$2, 301. 230, 553 79.S 49,.
Chicago ---.. .-...-- 21S,6n.5$d 1873