The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-08
MUCH TIME LOST.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Have So Hampered Trade
That Dealers Think the Loss
Cannot Be Made Up.
BUSINESS is BETTER
In the Western Part of the
Country Than in the East.
Bank Clearings Show Gains in
Nearly All Cities.

New York, June 8.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says:
Adverse weather has made the sea-
son another week late, both as to dis
trlbution of spring merchandise and
progress Of the crops. Transactions dur
ing the few days Of seasonable weather
thus far indicate that warm weather
VIII bring out much business, but so
much time has been lost that few mer-
chants anticipate a normal volume in
the aggregate. and large stocks will be
carried over or sacrificed at beginning
sales. Wholesale trade in fall and win
ter goods is brisk, large duplicate pur-
cnases OF the cold spring having deple-
Manufacturing plants operate at full
capacity in most Industries, cotton
mills making remarkab bly, favorable re-
turns in view of the weather and cost
ing cities indicate that the business
situation is much more satisfactory at
points in the west than in the east or
south, and especially favorable condi-
Few serious labor struggles are now in
progress and more advances in New
england mill wages will extend the
benefits to 100000 hands
Buying of steel products has increas-
ed and the forward business in all forms
or iron and steel is SO large that no
material change in the condition of
TINS industry can be expected this
year. Urgency for prompt delivery still
MAINTAINS premiums in spot business,
the oversold condition of domestic
furnaces making a ready market for
receipts of foreign iron
AS in other branches of trade the
only drawback is the uncertainty sup
piled by the unfavorable weather and
thus far has caused no cancellations of
consequence.
Prices of cotton goods rose still high
er In response to the strength of raw
material and manufacturers receive an
increasing volume of orders, many of
which must be refused because salts
factory deliveries can not be made.
Speculative purchases are not encour-
aged, but actual scarcity frequently
puts the buyers in an undesirable posi-
ton. Coarse .cottons lack the support
OF export purchases, but even this d.
vision shows a further advance Some
grades have been returned from China,
althouS this business is small. Worst |
eds open slowly, thus far the only |
lines that have appeared being of a |
skeptical character and prices show no |
definite trend. There is a fair demand |
for serges on about the same basis as
last season, but in all sections of the |
market is the conspicuous fact that |
higher prices have not checked bust
ness when the goods were needed and |
lower quotations failed to attract much |
interest.
Conditions are unchanged in the |
boot and shoe industry, prices run
ming steady at recent moderate de-
clineS. Demand is largest for high
grade footwear with less pressure for
medium and low qualities. Sole leath-
er is maintained by curtailment of pro-
duction, and other grades that have
weakened did so in gradual manner
that caused no decentralization. TIL csc
changes are usually attributed to the
backward season that has reduced
so Of sim or
eral reduction in foreign dry hides
makes the average of Latin-American
varieties about 8 cents below the posi-
ion six months ago.