Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-19
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.

BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.
Chica go-Snowstorms hindered the
traffic movement, but Notwithstanding
this the distribution of general mer-
chandise was large and the .jobbing in
terests report satisfactory activity.
Christmas wears make an excellent
display turnout the shopping district
and sales already exceed the totals TOT
corresponding weeks Of a year ago.
The general buying in the country IS
liberal in heavy apparel, footwear
1ewelry. and costly dress and art wares.
Mercantile collections are showing up
well. The manufacturing sltuatloh
presents steadily accommodating strengtn
and a widening of new demands. the
Improvement being readily apparent III
the iron and steel consuming inter-
ests. Heavy machinery, rolling stock
and hardware are in better request
and the woodworking branches are
fully employed. Receipts OF lumoef
were 43.653.OOO feet, against 42,279,OVo
feet last week, and 27,02S,O0O feet
wear ago. Yard stocks are now most
ly in for the winter and prices very
firm. The demand for hardwoods re-
mains good and shipments are large
for mill and building requirements.
New buildings were $527,40O. against
s736. 800 last week and $621,650 year
ago. Sales of real estate reached ST.
705, $40, against $2,209.99S last week
and s1,513.O22 year ago. The f1nan-
cial outlook is assuring, there being
an ample supply of money, with pros
poets Of an early increased use by
manufacturers and wholesale houses.
st. Paul-Holiday trade is good and
collections are fair. There is season.
| able activity in dry goods. clothing,
furnishings, and footwear. The hat,
cap and fur trade is in very good con-
dition, and groceries move steadily.
The demand for hardware is we'll sus-
| Ca1n6Q, ana WuOleSdlG ulu6S dlAo SAASAA0
icals are in fair movement. Harness
trade is in satisfactory volume and
fair business is reported in jewelry and
notions.
Minneapolis-Trade conditions are
very satisfactory. A large amount of
merchandise is moving in both whole
sale and retail lines. Collections are
good Shipments of lumber from this
market for November were about 10
year. The increase is due to open
weather permitting building opera
| tons to a much later date than for
some years past. There has been little
buying as yet by retail yards for stock
| ing UP purposes, and even the recent
price advances have apparently had no
effect. Mills and jobbers look for
brisk buying after the first of the year
| from necessity. Total shipments of
lumber from this market for eleven
months, ending December LIST, were
331.1S4,OO0 feet, against 376,S2S,00O
feet in 1903, November of this year be-
ing the only month showing an in
crease over last The increase, how
ever, continues into December ship
ments for the past week being nearly
1000 900 feet greater year ago.
st. Louis-Business In footwear is
satisfactory for this season, also in
dry goods, and prices show a decline
of per cent. Southern merchants,
especially, are not making extensive
purchases on account Of the drop in
the price of raw cotton. Groceries.
drugs, hardware and woodenware are
/ fairly active. The wholesale holiday
trade continues active. Collections are
good.
Kansas City-Wholesale trade in
groceries is heavy, exceeding that of
any other year. The shoe business is
about normal, but rubber goods are
selling slowly. The wholesale dry
goods business is seasonably quiet,
and travelling men are about to come in
for the holidays.