The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-15
GOOD NEWS.
B. s.. Dun & Co. Says 1t Still
PredOminates in Trade.
Easter Business Is Reported in
Large Volume.
ABOVE ALL RECORDS.
Consumption of Iron Is Said to
Be Unprecedented.
Railway Earnings Show a Gain
of 1919 Per Cent.
ABOVE ALL RECORDS.

New York, April 15.-R. G. Dun &
Cos Weekly Review of Trade says:
Good news still predominates in
trade and industry Easter business
IS of large volume; dry goods, cloth
ing, footwear and all lines of wearing
apparel reporting an unusually good
demand, and shipping departments are
taxed to their capacity in many cases.
The country as a whole is experience
ang more settled weather, which is re-
uecLed IN a better retail distribution
of merchandise. JObbing trade in
goods for fan delivery is broadening,
and there is more inclination to pre-
pare for the future. Manufacturers
report less idle machinery, the iron
and steel industry leading with an IN
precedented output Of pig iron, yet
consumption is also above all records,
FOR there is no accumulation at the
furnaces. Textile mills are also well
engaged as a rule. and fOrwardings Of
footwear from Boston make favorable
comparisons with every year except
1890.
A few labor controversies are
threatened, but none are of sufficient
magnitude to materially check prog
Tesss even if expected settlements are
not attained, for the number OF hands
involved is com paratIVeiy small. Re
ports are somewhat conflicting as to
mercantile collections. but improve
ment should follow the liberal dis
Gribution of funds in starting agricul-
fural work. Treasury shipments of
small change to the interior largely
exceed the amount in transit a year
ago. Car blockades are few, owing to
the favorable weather, although traffic
IS very heavy, as shown by railway
earnings for the first week of April
a0.9 per cent. larger than last year.
Prices of commodities declined 81
per cent during March, according to
Dun's Index Number, q logical con-
Eggs, dairy and garden products,
grain and coal made the most notable
declines. Foreign commerce at this
port is keeping pace with the i'm
provement in domestic trade, imports
for the last week exceeding the same
week last year by S6,65B,T55, and ex-
ports gaining S3,1S5,498.
Many steel mills are several weeks
behind with deliveries and in some
cases contracts are not taken where
shipment is desired before July 1.
Pressure is especially noteworthy in
all lines of railway supplies, partic-
ularIy light rails
Failures this week number PA in
the United States, against 225 last
year. and 20 in Canada, compared
with 16 year ago.
Bradstreet's says:
Spring trade at wholesale has ap-
parently passed its zenith, but re-
orders, especially at the west, are IN
usually good, iron consumption is un
precedented, winter wheat promises
excellently. and the acreage in other
cereals viii be large. Building and
building material are active, export
trade displaying signs of improvement.
railroad earnings show 10 per cent
gain for March and an increase of >
per cent for the quarter, and bank
clearings show continued heavy in
creases on last year Retail trade is
good in sections, but has been re-
Garded by cold weather or heavy rains
Lot - ~
points.
Meat, fish and poultry prices are
conspicuous exceptions to the other
wise easing tendency of food products
In meats lessened receipts and higher
prices for cattle and Lenten influence
are the causes assigned for this
Cereals which have been affected by
good growing weather and excellent
crop reports have hardened on cold
and dry weather reports. Structural
iron and steel have been active, part
OF this being due to the building de-
mand and the leading interest is said
to be negotiating for some foreign
structural material for import. High
premiums for prompt delivery of
structural material. plates and bars
are being paid. Foundry iron has
eased in most markets. Anthracite
coal is very active as the result of the
90 cent reduction in price, and the col
Heries have months output sold
ahead. Soft coal is rather easy. de-
spite the fact that production in the
west is smaller. The opening of lake
navigation is expected to improve the
movement of coal to the northwest.
ut has been a satisfactory season
with wholesalers and iobbers in Wo-
mems wear, silk. WOolens and cotton
goods. Mems wear goods have hardly
done as well.
1.-THE leather market is active and
prices tend upward, supported by the
recent advance In hides. The whole
sale trade in shoes is of good proper
tons. and retail business is expected
to improve shortly
Business failures in the United
States for the week ending April 10
number 1876, against ITO last week.
1903. 1913 in 1902 and 212 in 1901.
In Canada failures for the week
numbered %, as against % last week
and 20 in this week a year ago.