Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-11-25
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.

lively honest.
BUSINESS At LEADING POINTS.
i Improvement is reported in retail
trade, and sentiment is more hopeful
in some commercial departments but
pending the resumption of active de-
mand manufacturers restrict produce
ton. Financial conditions are less
disturbing. much relief resulting from
large imports of gold, while better
| feeling was caused by the announce
ment of further government aid, altho
the proposed bonds and certificates
have not yet increased the actual sup
ply Of money. Mercantile collections
are irregular, some sections of the
country reporting unexpectedly prompt
settlements, while at other points they
are slow. Liquidation has continued in
securities, the only support being sup
piled by small purchases for invest
ment, and the average for the sixty
most active railway stocks fell to a
new low record for the past seven
years. Railway earnings thus far re-
ported for November show a loss CT
16 per cent as compared with last
years figures, and foreign commerce
piled gain Of $63.450 in exports, bu.
decrease of $2,S13.300 in imports.
! Sales that are now being made are not
at material concessions from recent
preceding prices, special conditions de-
termining the cost in each case, and
no definite basis of quotations is ex-
pected until after January 1.
Quiet continues in the primary mar
kets for textiles, and production has
turers of cottons make no attempt to
force sales, waiting for restoration CT
confidence and sufficient funds to war
rant new undertakings. Producers
readily grant desired delay in deliv.
cries, but there is stubborn resistance
to cancellations of orders taken in good
faith, for which provision has been
made in many cases by arrangement
for delivery of raw material
Shoe shops are operating very cau-
tiously, forward deliveries being pre-
pared with due consideration for the
possibility of countermanded orders. n
moderate trade is reported in fall sam
pies, but supplementary spring con-
tracts are scarce, and statesmen in the
west and south find wholesalers re-
stricting purchases to actual needs for
current business.
Chicago.-Unfavorab weather in
terrupts retail activity and movement
of commodities. The increasing mum
Der of idle hands affects the purchas-
ing power and small storekeepers find
sales declining. A moderate business
is done in the principal wholesale
branches, there being smaller call for
seasonable goods, but the demand for
holiday requirements keeps up fairly.
Shipments of general merchandise are
now upon a smaller scale, and earn
ings Of the Chicago steam roads 10
not maintain the recent notable in
creases over those of last year.
st. Louis.-The leading wholesale
dry goods houses are holding special
sales, the attendance of out-of town
buyers is very large, and purchases arc
of good volume. All the leading ines
of trade show falling off in the book
ing of future orders, but an improve
ment is reported in the past few days.
Manufacturing establishments are
moderately active, and forces have
been cut down in some branches.
Pittsburg-The unsettled condition
of the money market and the iron and
steel trade is reflected in merchandise
lines. The scarcity Of currency is in
terfering with trade and retail mer-
chants find it difficult to take care of
buyers. There is much cancelling Of
goods for forward demand.
Philadelphia. The financial strin-
gency restraints activity in the wool
market and curtailment of production
among textile manufacturers and can
cellations Of orders are numerous
Cloak and suit manufacturers and job
bers of woolens and wholesale dry
goods houses note decrease in de-
mand
Minneapolis is gradually as