The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-06
LARGE ORDERS.
The Demand for Building Mater
ial Cannot Be Met.
Open Weather Gives Great I'M
petus TO Structural Work.
RAILWAY EARNINGS
Show an Increase Of ga Per
Cent in December.
Reports Of Foreign Commerce
Are Strikingly Favorable.

New York. Jan 6.-R G. Dun & Co.'S
Weekly Review of Trade says:
"Erratic weather and the customary
difficulties encountered in resuming
normal conditions after a lengthy holi-
day have restricted operations during
the past week, especially i'm retail and
j0bbing departments. The situation is
relieved to some extent by clearance
sales of heavyweight wearing apparel,
and there is a good demand for staple
lines of foodstuffs, while prices are
maintained so firmly that confidence is
evidently mistaken. Annual settle
ments are promptly made. and inven-
tories show the favorable results antici-
pated. In some parts Of the country it
IS impossible TO fill orders for lumber
and building materials open weather
making structural work an unusual
feature for the season Manufacturing
plants are resuming, advance orders as
suring activity for some months in most
cases, and in many divisions Of the
iron and steel industry. idleness in 1906
can only be produced by extensive can
collation. Thus far the railways have
had little adverse weather with which
to contend earnings in December rising
81 per cent above last years, and re-
ports of foreign commerce are even
more strikngly favorable.
week imports exceeded those of year
previous by s6137.254, or about so per
cent. while exports gained $2.005,I7l.
Textile Industries continue in
strong position as to the amount of
business in sight, but the primary mar
kets have not yet recovered from holl-
day quiet.
THE export situation shows no inn
prOVement. but the majority of lines are
sold so far ahead that producers are
Ia Ing is
also noticed that comparatively few
buyers are in the market for wooden
goods.
Conditions are without change in the
hide markets demand remaining quiet
and packers stocks carried over We're in
no case burdensome. A firmer tone is
noted in certain branches Of the foot
wear market.
Commercial failures this week in the
United states are 253. against 221 last
week 226 the previous week and 290 the
corresponding week last year Failures
in Canada number 30, against p last
week 80 the preceding week and % last
year"
Bradsreet's.
Bradstreets says
while the unseasoha Bile weather adj
verse1y affects retail trade and recorders 1
from wholesalers, it at the same time
highly favors the leading industries and
outdoor activities and facilitates rail-
way transport spring trade really
shows rather more than usual life, re
quests for prompt shipments being i'm
evidence earlier than usual. Clearance
sales are a feature of retail lines and
the season as a whole in heavy wearing
apparel has been so far Disappointing
Collections north and northwest feel this
likewise. Bank clearings break all rec
ords for a holiday period, rejecting
heavy end Of the year disbursements
and stock speculation.
December was perhaps the best
month of 1905 for the railways. with an
indicated gain of u per cent over De
cember. 1904. Cars are in better supply
on open weather and the passing of the
holiday rush. but six months Of large
business is still in sight for the rail-
ways. Building at New York and
few other large cities is affected by the
housesmiths' strike. SO far the print
ers' strike has had rather less than the
expected effect There seems to be a
general consensus of opinion that 1906
promises exceedingly well in all lines
of trade and industry.
"SnowfaIls and slightly colder wealth
er in the Northwest are welcomed for
their present and future effect on trade
Collections are likely to be helped also
Southern trade reports are relatively the
best Of all, reflecting as they do good
cotton prices and an advance of money
among the farmers.
Spring trade at the East shows more
life in cotton goods and in shoe buy
ing from manufacturers who are being
messed for deliveries The zvOrsfed
mills have had an extraordinary season.
The canned goods trade reports inter
estfng conditions. In California want of
rain is beginning to be a cause of un-
easiress.
Industrial lines are as active as here
tOfore. Manufacturers entered the year
with a heavy volume of business booked
and with excellent prospects for a con-
ffnuance of activity. In iron and steel
business is of excellent character for
period that is usually duh. ResaIes of
copper by Chinese speculative interests
tend to check the upward trend of the
market. business for future delivery be-
ing done on a basis of lie a pound below
the markets of this country and Europe
Lead is quiet but firm and there is less
activity in spelter.
Business failures in the United States
for the week ending January 4, 1906