Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-02
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.

much in evidence, especially in manu-
featuring. Mills and factories are only
operated to fill orders, no accumula-
ton of stocks being permitted pend
ing more settled conditions. Some idle
plants have already resumed. however,
and in many cases there are ample
tailed because customers reuest delay
in deliveries, as funds are not available
for settlement. These concerns eX-
pect to have machinery in full opera
ton when the money market becomes
normal, several preparing to resume
after January /. Retail trade is more
active, salese of holiday goods supple
menting dealings in staple merchandise
and some western cities report that
of usual size from country merchants
for spring delivery.
Liabilities of commercial failures
thus far reported for November
Amounted to $12,20S,092, of which So
S35.677 were in manufacturing, ST.
344.IS5 in trading and $1.02S.230 in 9TH
err commercial lines Failures this
week numbered ESQ in the United
States against 1872 last year, and 81
in Canada compared with 10 year
ago.
Conditions in various leading cities
are briefly stated below:
Chicago.-Trade exhibits a more
cheerful tone, money conditions show
ing further Improvement, and there Is
only a slight addition to the reduc-
ton of forces. Mercantile collections
are still unsatisfactory. and credits
are very closely scanned, but there Is
no disposition to push debtors. Com
| mercial defaults in the Chicago dis
trict show some increase, both in num-
bers and liabilities. Many country
tend help, and some have made bids
for commercial paper here, but the
high discount rate prevents business,
and there is really little paper offered
The outlook for business Is regarded
as improving. There is very con-
servative feeling and little disposition
to consider new enterprises.
Pittsburg.- is better feeling
in all branches Of local trade, but the
conservatism that was manifest in
manufacturing and jobbing lines has
reached the consumer and purchases
in a retail way are made only for ac-
tual needs.
Boston-While wholesale business is
still handicapped by financial condi-
lions, there is better feeling in most
branches and return to a normal po-
sition is considered only matter OF
time. The opinion Is that trade will
not show much improvement until the
new year, but after establishments now
in progress are completed, more active
and confident operations are expected
Memphis. Monetary conditions
cause some curtailment in business
Nearly all of the saw mills in the
Memphis district have shut down and
few local concerns have reduced
forces. Planters and merchants in this
district are generally in good financial
condition.
Cincinnati.-Retail trade is satisfac-
tory and there is a fair business in
cry goods, the distribution in fabrics
or the spot and for early delivery
being further increased, but there has
been a lull in the demand for spring
&C DDS.
Kansas City. - Retail business in
most lines is unusually good. Dry
goods houses report a satisfactory
trade, but implement and vehicle
houses are moderately active. Collec-
tons are good, all things considered.
Minneapolis. - Trade conditions are
nearly 'DdCk W d iolHlti udols. Soi~
lections are improving steadily, and
country merchants, while cautious, are
placing orders for spring delivery about
as usual. Very few cancellations have
been placed and the local jobbing trade
is not much disturbed by the financial
situation. Local retail trade is assum-
ing holiday proportions and is fully as
good as year ago. The lumber situa-
ton continues strong, prices are high
and show no sign of weakening. Ship
ments for the week were 6,192,0O0 feet.
against 5,664,OOo feet in 1906
st. Paul.-The financial situation is
less acute and while inability to secure
currency still retards the wheat move
ment. mercantile collections are fairly
satisfactory Jobbers operate conserv-
atively, but report a we'll sustained de-
mand for seasonable merchandise and
little apparent hesitation in placing or
ders for spring delivery.
Philadelphia. = Textile manufacture
ers generally are restricting their out
nut on account of financial conditions,
and sales of all supplies in that line
have been light. Wool business re-
mains quiet. Manufacturers of mems
and boys clothing and of cloahs and