The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-08
NORTHWEST HAS
GOOD PROSPECTS.
WEEKLY REPORT OF INTERNA-
MONAIl MERCANTILE AGENCY. Z
General Trade Active Turnout West
Textile Manufacturing Depressed
Nursery Shipments Late Iron
and Steel Industries Improve
MiIlionaires Advance Stock Market.

New York, April Especial kilograms
to the International Mercantile Agency re-
port general trade active thruout. western
and southwestern territory.
Advance business in some lines shows a
decline from last year with buyers every
where very cautious, ordering only such
supplies as are actually needed. $3.50 =
Territory tributary to ST., Louis is feel
ing the impetus of Exposition business"
which has averaged large this week and
promises to expand as the day for open
ing the fair approaches. Jobbers in most
sections are doing better than a year ago.
The textile manufacturing business is
quite generally depressed with 80 or 40
per cent Of the machinery idle in some
sections. New England advices report I'M
satisfactory trade conditions as a result of
the partial shutdown of cotton mills and
the decision of prominent Fall River
manufacturers to curtatl production from
now on. Unless relief is forthcoming a
general shutdown seems probable by
July or August.
Southern centers show a falling off in
dry goods compared with 1903 and 1902
figures. Boots, shoes and clothing are
about normal. The Baltimore district
shows good trade with signs Of fast re-
covery from fire disturbance.
Crop Conditions Good.
st. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth sec
| lions have not yet fully recovered from
the effects of the severest weather en-
countered in years. Spring business Is
now fairly well under way and the large
jobbing houses are handling relatively
larger orders than they reported at this
time year ago.
Crop conditions in that section are good.
The flour mills are doing a heavy bust
ness, farmers receiving generally higher
prices. These prices reject conditions
prevailing generally thruout the north
west, where the outlook seems excellent
for a prosperous year.
/ Rochester district reports nursery ship
1 ments fully d month late. Orders for
spring and summer clothing run much
ahead of last year. Shoe orders are con-
siderably less than in 1903.
Conditions in iron and steel are general
ly stronger. The staple markets, while
fluctuating sharply, have not moved sen:
| sationally and are somewhat improved.
Money Is Easy.
Advices received by the international
Z Mercantile Agency Indicate continued ease
in money There has been considerably
INJURY at New York for over the yea
loans There has been little inquiry To-
six months leans, which are ordinarily ii
, demand because they would mature thi
year JUS before the presidential election
.-Altho gold exports have been resumed
50, $4,000 having been shipped to Paris
this week, the outflow is not likely to ere
ate a strlnSenCy or cause banks to re
strict accomm odaticns to legitimate Dor
rowers.- ~
In spite of New York's billion dollar loal
account the banks Of that city hold surplu
reserves that have been exceeded on1
! three times at similar period O
= the year during the last quarter century
Most Of the activity in the stock mar
Iket is still in the hands of very rich mer
i Millionaire operators have been chief
4 instrumental in forming prices to a highe
n Iievel The public in general has hel
r. aloof altho sentiment has improved an
J. the market possesses elements Of un
al doubted strength