The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-06
They Are Arriving in New York
in Large Numbers.
Anxious to Make Purchases
Even at Advanced Prices.
RAILW Az EARNINGS.
Average Seven Per Cent Larger
Than in 1902.
Weather Conditions Affecting
Trade Unfavorably in Places.

New L OK, r en-. o--IA 1uL q L. >
Weekly Review of Trade says:
Sensational fluctuations in the great
staples were the features of the week,
cotton and coffee attaining new high
records for the season but subsequent
ly declining abruptly, while grain ad-
vancad.
Trade reports are irregular. improve
ment at the south and west finding
little response at the large eastern
cities. Persistent low temperature is
providing a good demand for heavy
wearing apparel and increasing the diff
ficulties of transportation. Spring buy
ers are arriving in large numbers with
noteworthy eagerness to secure cot
ton goods, even at the enhanced prices.
Railroad earnings for January aver
aged per cent. larger than in 1908.
Progress is slow in the iron and steel
industry, new business coming forward
reluctantly. Several dispatches regard
ing large contracts cannot be confirmed
and it is usually found that the state
mentS refer to old orders while the fig
ures of tonnage prove smaller than in
dic2ted
Conditions continue quiet prospec-
tive purchasers procrastinatlng in the
hope of more attractive terms. In sew
eral lines 1t has not proved possible to
maintain price agreements, some pro-
ducers making special rates, and the
season opens with the prospect that
there will be an open market for cot
ton ties. A better outlook is reported
for structural steel
Just when buyers of cotton goods
We're beginning to exhibit a pronounced
disposition to place more liberal orders,
the collapse in the raw material pro-
duced hesitation. Consumers have re-
duced supplies in the hands of dealers
to a point that necessitated replenish
ing, and the inquiries for prompt ship
ment were expanding, but it is natural
that the market should become uncer-
tain when the prices for goods are very
high and raw cotton declines Sc a bale
in single day. Notwithstanding this
interruption, better volume of trade
is in progress, and it is recognized that
goods were by no means on a parity
with raw material at its zenith. New
England shoe manufacturers have
ample business in sight, but there is
much complaint of the scarcity of
leather and the increased cost of pro-
duction.
Commercial failures this week in
the United States are 246, against 302
last week, 1858 the preceding week and
264 the corresponding week last year
Failures in Canada number 49, against
28 last week, SO the preceding week,
and 80 the same week last year.
Bradstreet's says:
Weather conditions unfavorably af-
feet trade and transportation through
| out most of the west, while wildly fluc-
tuating markets of cotton, coffee and
the cereals make the speculative stu
alton of these staples q matter of con-
| Germ. The feeling grows that a late
opening trade and conservative buying
are to be looked for in many lines
Exceptions are to be found at the south
which reports wholesale trade active,
especially in fertilizers, live stock and
implements, all preparations looking to
an immense acreage in cotton. Next
to this may be claSSed the southwest,
which, despite cold weather, reports
trade satisfactory for the season, the
outlook good and bank clearingS large.
Eastern trade reports are good as to
retail winter trade, which is said to
have cleaned up old stocks of goods
As to spring trade, however, irregular
| ity is noted. The spring business in
shoes has been fair with eastern manu-
| facturers but fall trade is as yet alb
| sent and shipments are not as large as
year ago. Mems wear woolenS are
not moving quickly for fall delivery
ClOthierS are buying cOnServatively.
Wool is firm, with stocks light, and 5
to 10 per cent higher prices at London
| sales. Cotton goods are much disturb
ed. Buyers and sellers are alike IN
certain. Mills that bought below II
cents are able to sell goods and run
! freely, but those with short stocks of
raw material are reported considering
| short time.
|
Reports of large buying of pig iron are
! denied. Snow blockades have shorten
| ed temporarily supplies of eastern mar
kets and strengthened prices. Southern
! iron is lower at western centers, though
reported firm at Birmingham. Buying
as a whole is slow and of hand to
mouth character. Finished products
show no great expansion. Two pools.
the hoop and band and the locomotive
tire people are reported to have dis
| solved. Plates and structural are rath-
er backward, and the strongest item is
wire which is selling we'll Agricultur-
| al hardware is in good demand at the
west. The other metals, copper, lead
and tin, are all lower
Coughs and colds, down to the very
borderland of consumption, yield to the
soothing healing influences of DIR.
Woods Pine SvrI1D