The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-22
Centers Show Large
Attendance of Purchasers.
A Definite Improvement in De-
mand ut First Hands.
CLOTHIERS HANG BACK
They Are Delaying Operations
to an Unusual Degree.
Industrial Developments Are
Quite Generally Favorable.

New York, Feb. 22.-R. G. Dun
company's Weekly Review of Trade,
February %, will say:
Weather conditions have been fav-
orable for trade and transportation in
most sections, but a few adverse re-
ports are still received and total trans
actions again felt the curtailing in
fluence of a holiday.
Industrial returns are uniformly en-
couraging, mills and factories having
so much business in sight that no ma
chinery is idle except in cases where
fuel deliveries are unsatisfactory or
the labor supply inadequate. Farm
staples are fairly steady.
New contracts for steel products are
constantly pending, much foreign
business competing with domestic or
ders, and the mills retain a position OF
independence.
AbnormalIy severe weather has
made deliveries so erratic that much
complaint is heard and stocks of fuel
at mills and furnaces are often so low
that full activity Is impossible. but
these influences only tend to promise
more business later. as delayed con-
tracts are seldom lost.
OF most interest in the textile mar
ket is the increased attendance of out
side buyers in the jobbing centers, and
there is also definite improvement in
demand at first hands. Larger orders
nave DeSn DlaC6Q Tor cotton goods,
and quotations show more strength. In
woolens there is complaint from mems
wear agents because of the indiffer-
ence of clothiers who delay operations
to unusual degree. Duplicate orders
for lightweights are not delivered sat
isfactorily. and greater tardiness will
follow in the heavyweight division un-
less business is placed more promptly
New England manufacturers of
footwear report a fair volume of sup
Elementary orders for late spring and
early summer delivery. Quotations
are fully maintained and there is no
immediate prospect of alterations.
Leather encounters a good demand
at full prices, with increased inquiry
for upper stock, which had been
somewhat less active than sole. One
eastern shoe manufacturer is credited
with the purchase of upper leather TO
the extent OF 100000 the largest
business in this department for many
weeks.
Bradstireet's.
Bradstreet's on February % will saw:
Actual trade and Industrial IeveIonn3entS
are quite generally favorable better
weather conditions and the easing of rail-
in this direction. Jobbing trade in the
spring and summer fabrics have expanded
ters and at prominent southern markets.
Better reports also come from the north
of the snow blockades There is also a
better tone to advices from the South At
crop yields last fall.
Collections are still irregular. as retail
trade in winter goods is largely over and
spring business has hardly Begun. Retail
stocks Of winter goods have been well re-
duced, however.
The numerous published announcements
by leading railroads of the curtailment or
postponement of extensive improvements
owing to the high cost of labor and ma
terials or to the high rates demanded
new issues of securities. exert some in
fluence on sentiment as regards future
commitment in materials likely to be used
in railway extension. Based on these views.
also there is a disposition to believe that
the crest of the present prosperity move
ment had been seen. 1t is, however. worth
recalling that predictions somewhat SINH
year ago, but the events of 1906 as a
whole certainly did not bear them out.
active in all lines. but Cotton goods still
display most strength At first hands print
cloths have again been advanced. Cotton
yarns are very firm. Silks, wooden dress
goods, knit fabrics, and to a lesser de-
gree. wooden mems wear goods are all In
good demand. The linen trade is reported
Pig iron markets are quiet and weaker
Some low phosphorous pig has been sold
what under those recently ruling. Quota
tions in the British markets have also re-
Coke is somewhat easier. recent favora-
BILE weather having permitted OF increased
outputs, and the better supply of cars has
facilitated deliveries.
The leather trade, is only fairly active
as regards new sales. but shipments on
Business failures in the United States
for for the week oos ending FEBRUARY 70 20 number
like week of 1906
Failures for the week in Canada number
13. against % last week and 81 in this
week year ago.
Weather Indications.
Chicago. Feb. 22.-Forecast for KAN
sas: Partly cloudy tonight and Satur-
day rising Temperature.