The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-27
WEATHER NO BAR.
Manufacturers Prepare for
Future Activity i'm Ira de.
The Only Idle Machinery Is in
the Shoe Shops.
FEW STRIKES In SIGHT
Labor Situation Is Excellent
for May 1 Period.
Orders for Structural Material
Continue Very High.

| New York, April 27.-R. G. Dun &
CO.'S Weekly Review of Trade says:
Weather conditions have again dom
mated trade, but reports have become
irregular, some sections still complains
ing of unfavorable temperature, while
most dispatches reflect the brighter
results of tardy sunshine, Similar nm
certainty is recorded as to progress OF
the crops, while the cereal markets
are responsive to the STRENGTHENING in
nuence of broader foreign demand
II is noteworthy that manufacturers
continue vigorously preparing for fu-
eure ACTIVITY, regardless of any tenn
porary interruption to dfstribuffon nv
the weather. The only idle nnacbin-
cry is reported at footwear factories
wnere spring deliveries are about fin-
arrived freely. This is seasona HE
event and the temporary reduction of
about one-third in active canacitv is
not an alarming sign. few small
strikes are also fnterrupting manufac-
turers, but in the aggregate a very
limited part of the nations producinr
power is inactive, and most of the idle
machinery is due to the scarcity of Ia
Pig iron cannot be produced with
SUFFICIENT rapidity in this country to
meet the requirements of steel mills.
more M1ddlesborough iron being i'm
ported despite a further advance in
foreign quotations. Prices of forms
OF iron and steel are strong and some
sales of pig iron for delivery durine
the last half of the year were made af
az, valley furnace, against S21 onIv a
few weeks ago. Structural steel is
wanted IN great quantities for bridges
and at the leading cities there Are
many office building and factory ex-
tensions that will take all the mills
can produce for months. Pressure for
merchant pipe has been so great that
some mills have closed their books ex-
cept at substantially higher quotations.
Tin plate mills are sold up to the last
quarter.
No accumulation of cotton goods has
occurred IN any position, the trade alb
sorblng everything that comes from
the factories which as a rule have or
ders so far in advance that there is no
enort to revive buying at first hands
AS the tlme approaches when another
seasons supply of raw material must
be purchased. little attention is paid
10 events in the cotton market but
that has had no influence on finished
goods OF late. Export trade in cottons
aWal.s reduction of stocks at Shanghai
Wooden goods are in a better position.
demand having improved until it is
evident that much machinery will be
Kept in operation throughout the sea-
son.
Conditions are unchanged at New
England footwear factories. except that
eastern wholesale houses have placed
more fall contracts. but most plants
operate little more than two-tT1irds ca
pacity.i Manufacturers insist on full
quotations, no concessions being offer
ed to stimulate demand Local iobbers
report an exceptionally brisk inquiry
for colored shoes of all descriptions.
Sole leather is steady, a better demand
improving the tone, but other varieties
have declined still further, especially
harness qualities Some tanners report
heavy cancellations of automobile
leather.