The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-04
Agents Sent Out by an Eastern
Transportation Line.
Make Reports Breat hing Pros
periiy iii Every Line.
OUTLOOK is BRIGHT.
Heavy Movement of Merchandise
Is Already Indicated.
Fear Of Short Crops Has Been
Entirely Removed.

New York, Sept. 4.-General reports of
| the agents of the New York Central
lines, from Buffalo west to the Pacific
coast and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
breathe prosperity in every line and
forecast its continuance for next year.
Every summer the traffic departments
of the New York Central and other big
trunk lines gather information of flu
ture business outlook for the purpose of
preparing for the movement in the fall
and winter. Early in August B. B.
Mitchell, general traffic manager, ad-
vised his agents to prepare and send
him on a specified date the best infor-
nation obtainable as to crops and busi-
ness outlook and admonished them to be
sure of their ground. as the information
would be used as a basis for preparation
for the next years business.
Ihe business summary and crop out
look is compiled from the reports of 1876
agents in all parts of the west north
west, southwest and southeast
Future Outlook Is Bright.
The future outlook, without exception
as to location, is reported as bright Fall
orders already booked by merchants and
manufacturers indicate a heavy mer-
chand1Se movement. The steel industry
presents gratifying condition with a
large tonnage already booked and a
feeling that heavier orders will be the
many sections. Manufacturers general
ly feel that the factories will be open all
winter. There is some doubt as to the
last six months of 1908 on account of the
election.
Fear of short crops in the west. north
west, and southwest has been removed
by the favorable weather of the last few
weeks and the improvement has put O
healthy tone into the business outlook
in the agricultural states. The wheat
crops in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and
Oklahoma have been harvested ana
enough thrashed to form fairly accu-
rate estimate of the yield.
Estimates on Wheat Crop.
In Kansas the returns indicate a
crop of 65,000,000 as against 100000
900 bushels last year, but it compares
favorably With the average of 55,00O,-
900 bushels fer the last ten years. The
Oklahom wheat crop was reduced 80
per cent by bad weather. Nebraska
and Missouri both have good average
crops.
The reports from the spring wheat
states. Minnesota, the Dakotas Iowa,
and Manitoba, indicate 10 per cent
reduction as compared with last year
but this may be overcome If the
present favorable weather continues
The total yield for last year was $780,
100000 bushels.
The corn crop last year in Indiana,
Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska. Kansas, Mis-
souri,, and Minnesota amounted to L.
5S4,O00,000 bushels, Illinois leading
with 383,O0O,O0O bushels. The re-
ports this year indicate a good average
crop, though it will be little late.
There is some danger of an early frost
in the more northern sections. but re-
ports from Kansas indicate a 25 per
cent increase over its crop of 200,-
900, 900 bushels last year. 1t is con-
f1dently asserted the Nebraska crop
will be large. as it has matured suf-
f1ciently to overcome any slight un-
favorable conditions.
The oats crop in Illinois, Wisconsin.
Minnesota, Iowa, and Kansas last year
aggregated 66,00O,000 bushels, Him
nois leading with 133,O0O,000 bushels,
but the reports indicate the aggregate
will be reduced sc per cent. The early
bad weather damaged the crop ire
parably. Barley and rye probably will
be a fair yield. The hay crop gen.
orally in the west is good, and the
failure of the crop in the east will Of
fer the railroads much traffic.
The cotton crop in the south, while
retarded by early adverse weather
conditions. promises well. The esti-
mate is placed at between 100000
and 100000 bales. The record
crop of 19O6-1907 was 13,600,000
1olo