The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-23
RECORDS BROKEN.
In Both Holiday Trade and
Building Operations.
Staples Would Move Better If
Weather We're Colder.
RAILWAY EARNINGS
Show a Gain Of 6.S Per Cent
Over December 1904.
Bank Clearings Are So Per Cent
Above Last Years.

New York. Dec. Pr. G. Dun &
Co.'s Weekly Review of Trade says:
Although mild weather greatly ia
cilitated Christmas trade and building
operations, both of which are suTpass-
ing all previous records, seasonable sta
pies would move more freely if the tenn
perature were lower. Yet, there is lit
tie complaint, despite the unsettled
weather conditions, and in jobbing de-
partments holiday quiet is expected at
this time. Manufacturers statesmen
have returned from the road, which re-
stricts the volume of new business. but
most plants have orders on hand as
surfing activity well into the new year.
output Tor the next ten days will be
reduced to some extent by stoppages
Tor repairs, inventories, ETC., after
which there is great confidence that
many records of production will be es-
tablished. Reports are remarkably IN
form regarding commercial conditions,
no section making an unsatisfactory
exhibit, and mercantile collections are
improving in the face of high rates for
money. Railway earnings thus far
available for December surpass the
figures of 1904 by So per cent, and for
elgn commerce at this port for the last
week showed a gain of S150,370 in ex-
ports and decrease of 81, 574, AL in i'm
ports.
New business is limited in the iron
and steel industry. Contracts cannot
be expected to come forward freely I'M
til after the holidays. The open season
has facilitated outdoor work to such
an extent that building operations will
make an unprecedented exhibit for the
month Of December, which means large
consumption of structural steel
Customary quiet conditions for this
time of year have prevailed in the pri-
sTc,4c
cept as to distinctly holiday goods,
which jobbefs ana retailers have dis
posed of in such liberal quantities as
to call for frequent replenishment.
Raw materials of the footwear in
dustry are quiet, but no price conees-
sions are offered to stimulate business.
There is a free movement of foreign
dry hides at unchanged quotations.
Holiday nuiet exists at New England
footwear factories and stock taking
will occupy attention during the bal
ance of the year.
Failures this week numbered 226,
against PSI last year, in the United
States, and 33 in Canada, compared
with 30 a year ago"
Bradstreet's.
Bradstreet's says:
GAS the season draws to a close holt
day buying gains force and early pre-
dictions. OF unprecedented business are
being fully realized, Retail trade in
heavy winter goods still dragS, owing
to unseasOnably mild weather. Re
order business in jobbing lines adapted
to holiday needs is more than Ordinar-
lily active for a usually quiet stock
taking period, and some lines, espe-
cially dry goods, are really active, de-
spite the approach of the turn of the
year. Spring business reports con-
tinue excellent and far in excess of
previous years, though holiday in
fuences tend to somewhat restrict
Immediate new engagements. Manu-
featuring is active as rarely before at
enormous outputs and recording en-
gagements ahead lin all crude and
fabricated productions Open fall
weather still favors building activity
and another big year is indicated by
the high prices and active demand for
material, particularly lumber, the out
look being for a heavy cut this winter
Winter wheat is in good condition
with fair snow covering. Demand for
money is active, but collections could
be better. Cash is still moving to the
interior but the liquidation of three
Chicago banks has not, apparently, af-
fected the situation seriously.
THE shoe and leather markets are
quiet, but strong. Shipments are
heavy.
Business failures in the United
States for the week ending December
q number 235, against 226 last week
249 in the like week of 1904, 243 in
19O3.1166 in 1902 and 20 in 1901.
Failures. in Canada number SO, as
against 80 last week and 81 in this
week a year ago.