The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-09

spite which deliveries are backward
Collections. though satisfactory IN
some lines are, on the whole, very
backward, the Iightness of money and
the enormous volume of business out
standing being the main factors.
Business in foundry pig iron, taking
| the country as a whole, is of fair pro-
portions, but, nevertheless, the DISPOSE
fore buying for future wants. AT the
south business is somewhat more &C
tive for second half delivery, and
where contracts have been booked the
basis was $3.50 for No. 2 Birming-
ham. There is still a paucity of steel
billets, a leading concern finding 1T
necessary to purchase 5000 tons from
a new eastern plant, but, on the other
hand, prices are of SO cents ton m
Pittsburg. In finishes lines activity
is the keynote-full or overcrowded
order books. Pra ctically all the lighter
lines fetch premiums where fairly
prompt delivery is demanded 1t IS
expected that a large tonnage of
structural material, considerable of it
for railway bridge work, will be placed
this month. However, it is reported
that the Gould system has Cancelled an
order for 1000 cars and 100 locomo-
tives.
Wheat, corn and oats, after a sag
ging of about 1 cent. strengthened
slightly and practically the entire loss
was recovered. The fact is that the
trade generally is just now speeulating
farmers on March L of this year, to be
published early next week.
The unprecedented demand for cot
ton goods with the highest prices in a
generation are stimulus to bullish
feeling as regards the raw material,
offsetting at present the heavy re-
ceipts of old crop and the reports of a
large acreage to be planted the coming
spring.
The market for domestic wool is
quiet but firm, the strength in London
and small stocks here being the pri-
NAL factors. Old woods, staples par
ticularly, are being we'll cleaned up
at top prices. Contracting in the west
is light, due partly to the high prices
asked by growers and also to the high
rates demanded for money.
Foreign woods are quite active. 1t is
expected that low grade woods Will
fetch lower prices at the London sales
which open March IL when ~167, 600
bales will be offered; but. on the other
hand, prices on merinos will be main
tanned. About 100000 pounds of
South American wool recently arrived
in Boston, mostly for manufacturers
account, but some of it will come on
the open market.
Eastern shoes and leather manu-
facturers report trade quiet. The key
of the situation is the spring demand,
which so far is behind a year ago.
Some factories are well caught UP and
unless trade improves a short manu-
featuring season is looked for. Leather
is quiet and sole leather tanners are
reported curtailing product as much to
bring prices of their products up to a
parity with raw material as because
of small takings by shoe manufactur-
ers. Hides are easier and buying is
of a hesitating character.
Business failures in the United
States for the week ending March Z
number 172 against 1914 last week.
177 in the like week of 1906; 100 in
1905; 200 in 1904, and 1877 in 1908.
Canadian failures for the week num-
Der FL, as against AZ last week and "A
in this week a year ago.
Bank CIearings.
Bradstreets bank elearings report for
the week ending March shows an aggre-
gate of SO, 451, 304 900, as against 81 564,007,-
coo last week and So 263. O56, 900 in the cor
responding week last year.
Canadian clearings for the week total