The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-17
TRADE IMPROVES.
Brighter Crop Outlook and Sea-
sOnable Weather
Stimulate Sales and Make Col
lectiOns Better.
RAILWAY EARNINGS.
Continue to Show a Healthy Gain
Over Last Year.
Few Cities Report a Decrease in
Bank Clearings.

New York, June 17.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says:
Moderate improvement is noted in
commercial conditions, although pro
gress is along conservative lines and
there is no evidence of speculative ex-
cesses. Seasonable weather has stimu-
lated retail sales of lightweight wear
ing apparel and jobbers report more
disposition among dealers to place or
ders for fall and winter goods. Mer-
camille payments are also more prompt,
the brighter crop outlook having a salu-
tary effect on all commercial operations.
Although little new business is noted
in pig iron, the steel mills are busy and
confidence is expressed In DEVELOPMENTS
next month. Textile manufacturing is
in better condition than at any recent
date, high prices for raw material ex-
erting no retarding influence as yet and
most of the idleness in the leading in
dustries is attributed to seasonable
overhauling of machinery and taking of
inventories.
Railway earnings thus far available
for June average 81 per cent higher
than last year. and foreign commerce
at this port for the last week shows
gains Of $780,, 312 in exports and $685.
S96 IN imports In every department of
business the past week makes a Strik-
ingly favorable comparison with the
corresponding week of 1904 when
prices were tending downward and
there was much complaint of the early
summer dullness, yet there is no indi-
cation at the present time of the I'M
reasonable enthusiasm that threatens
stability through reckless purchases in
excess of wholesome cOnsumptive re-
Quirements.
"lrregularity continues in the hide
market Many divisions are nominal
and foreign dry hides have declined an
other fraction, making a loss of a full
cent from the recent top point. Better
reports are received regarding the
leather situation, particularly hemlock
sole. Conditions in the footwear indus
try are without material alteration.
Failures this week numbered 229 in
the United States against 257 last year,
and % in Canada, compared with 16 a
year ago..
Bradstreet's says:
''Distributive trade and crop develop
mentS. while still of an irregular char
acter, hold and have perhaps added to
the improvement manifested last week,
for which warmer weather is RESPONSE
bic. Sales of summer goods are more
active, and business for fall delivery
appears well from all sections save
Texas, where impaired wheat crop re-
turns have a deterrent effect. Conf
dence in the future still continues. Ex-
port trade is good, railway earnings are
large, building is active and steel mills
engaged on the heavier forms of finish
ed material will not close down this
disturbed here and there, is, on the
whole, a pleasant one. Crop prospects
in general continue favorable, although
corn conditions are spotted and the
plant is very much behind.
Prices of all products still seem to
favor the agricultural interests. On the
other hand new business in industrial
lines is less active. Pig iron prices are
receding, stocks tend to increase and it
is a buyers and consumers market
rather than one favoring the seller.
Flour mills are inactive, awaiting re-
ceipts of new crop wheat. For many
scattered wholesale lines it is a period
Of quiet and unsettlement in some
prices as business is now of a midsum-
mer character.
'sFirmness in cotton goods is a feature
calling for note. Buyers are insistent
for quick deliveries Recorder business
with jobbers has been fairly good, es-
pecially at the west. In wooden goods
trade is seasonable and clothing men
report a good business. Southern trade
centers report trade rather quiet, as is
usual at this season.