The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-04
BACKWARD TRADE
LatenesS of the Season Is In
fluencing Business.
It Is Expected That Losses Will
Be Made Up Later.
FOR RECORD BREAKER
Dealers Have Prepared for an
Unprecedented Demand.
Strikes Are Less Serious Than
in Previous Years.

New York, May Ar. G. Dun &
| Co.'S weekly review of trade says:
Spring retail trade is backward be-
cause or the unusually late season and
tardy distribution Of merchandise il
also causing complaint of delay in mer-
camille collections. but there is conf =
dence that most of the postponed bust
ness Will be made up when the condi-
tons become normal. Dealers pur-
chased freely from manufa cturers in
anticipation of a record-breaking sea-
son and deliveries are still coming
from the mills and factories, shipments
being facilitated by improved traffic
conditions. Manufacturers are active IN
all leading industries, most plants be-
ing operated full time and the outlook
In the steel business could hardly be
brighter. Projected building operations
promise a good demand for all pater-
1als, but numerous small labor disputes
retard activity in this department. All
controversies over wages and hours are
not extensive or alarming. Only ia
vorable reports are received from the
iron and steel industry, new business
coming to the mills as rapidly as Or
ders are filed and few producers are
able to take advantage of premiums
offered for prompt delivery. Ore has
begun to move freely on the lakes. Ar
rangements have been made for a rec
ord year. many new vessels enlargi ig
the carrying capacity. Pig iron fur
naces are producing as rapidly as posi-
BILE and new plants are in course Of
construction, but deliveries are tardy
and most concerns have sold their en-
the output to this year. Large orders
for cotton ties were placed at an ad
vance of 10 cents per bundle and the
seasons needs will be provided for
without delay. Pipe and structural
shapes are among the most active de-
partments, the weeks orders covering
very large tonnage.
In primary markets for cotton goods
the only development of Importance
was the sharp advance in cost of raw
material, which tended to strengthen
the position of producers who were re-
sisting with increasing difficulty the
pressure to accept lower quotations on
distant deliveries. AS most jobbers
have concluded regular store business
they are not anxious to buy from the
mills, although a few endeavor to pur-
little accumulation of stocks and less
is heard of re-sales at second hands.
Export demand continues insignificant.
Improvement in woolens has received a
check and the market is awaiting de-
velopments. Mills are fairly busy, but
the late market is retarding progress.
Extensive preparations were made for
early business, which has not mater
ialized. Duplicate orders are chiefly
for the better lines of woolens.
Shoe manufacturers at the east find buy
ers very conservative regarding fall con-
tracts and some of the smaller producers
have offered small concessions without Sc
curing business. On the other hand lead
pie lines at 212 at 5 cents advance over
last years figures, which makes the mar
ket irregular. Leather is steady, all
though light upper leather can be pur-
chased below previous figures.