Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-10

Ia Col plIl AN ~ ~ 3s
81 Dexptte TIL .pssi u pafit 8 - -
people and some 81 betsI NJ fit ssf
on taking because Of what they
claimed would be the result Of the agi-
tation for certain reforms in the coun-
try. the business conditions are no less
favorable and no less encouraging
than they were when. at the end OF q
prosperous year, the careful observers
OF trade conditions gave as their opin-
ion that 1905 would prove q better and
more prosperous year than 1904. The
weekly report Of Bradstreet's, issued
today, says:
Seasonable quiet. rules in distribu-
ton at present Consideration Of past
favorable results and preparations for
what is confidently hoped to be pros
porous years trade engrossed the
wholesalers and jobbers. Supporting
expectations of satisfactory spring
trade to come are fair volume of or
ders already booked in leading lines of
dry goods, shoes, clothing and kindred
articles, and generally small stocks
reported carried in the Anal distribu.
tors hands. Western iobbers stocks
are reported 10 to 80 per cent smaller
than year ago. and this fact, coupled
with the knowledge that the coming
three and six months business will
compare with the reduced volume a
year ago leads to the belief that COM
parsons from now on will favor the
present year.
Other features coming to hand sug-
gestive of a favorable Interpretation.
are the activity in many lines of in
dustrial effort. notably iron and steel
and its many side lines. Defenders
gross railway earnings promise to
show gain Of at least per cent and
to close the year of 1904 with slight
gain over 1903, hitherto the best re-
corded.
Corn exports for the week are the
largest since March 1908, and aggre.
gate 3,187,000 bushels against 1885,.
600 year ago. July / to date 1857,
900 against 29,S73.o00 in 1903"
;Dun's review is Of similar encour
aging and hopeful tone, noting only
one place where there is hesitation
This is In the south. where the recent
fall in the prices Of cotton has given
business setback. Dun's report
however. calls attention to the encour
aging fact that the market shows nc
evidence of false imitation or artificial
conditions. In the Dun report dated
today the following ia found:
Aside from some hesitation at the
south, owing to the recent fall in
prices of cotton. business conditions
are favorable and optimistic senti
ments are evidenced by extensive pre-
parations for active trade. AS the an
nual reports appear, 1t is found the
closing months Of 1904 made muct
better exhibit than the first half, which
starts the new year with smaller
stocks of goods in the hands Of dealers
assuring liberal contracts In the neal
future for replenishing supplies Gross
earnings Of railways in December
were 6.4 larger than the same month
in 1903.
Winter wheat conditions have i'm
proved and partial recovery In cotton
may prevent the threatened curtail
ment Of acreage. Buyers are arriving
In leading markets and in another
week liberal orders for spring deliver
les will be placed. Dispatches from
other cities are generally encouraging
CAS- inventories and repairs are
completed the various departments Of
the iron and steel industry steadily
extend operations and the sentiment II
in striking contrast to the conserva
tism that prevailed a year ago. New
business is gradually coming forward
the reeds Of consumers being felt II
all sections of the n,a~ket, while pro
auctiora ere no longer retarded by ad
verge weather.
"TNe market shows little evidence
Of trfet'on or. artificial conditions. $
more whe'esome tone prevailing rhe
Industry tran at any recsnt date
Iinor ncts1s developed sofna irregu
lsrtty owing TO. the, annual ststlst'as d
sunrlY, but the consumDt.on ~ coal i
very hasvy .neceasltatirg 2 f1il oper
alton Of practically all colIsTies."
-------~---y --7----~-
couMTY f'iaH SCHOOLS.
Nnrarcfs counties In lowe ere con.
STEERING t'aa rljesfion Of establishing
( ,,c,,.,+1, h; CT eofr,o1. for tt,a a5,ica tion