Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-06

factories have further increased the
number of hands at work and the last
fortnightly report showed a decrease
of $4,000 in idle freight cars, leaving
only 10000 against 1413,000H at the
worst point five months ago. Rail-
way earnings for September were only
ST per cent less than in the same
months last year, whereas the COM
jparison for April showed a loss of
1T.6 per cent.
lChicagol-Trade responds to the
stimulus of seasonable weather, and,
with the passing of the drouth, fall
work on the farms proceeds vigorously.
Retail trade shows recovery and the
general demand for necessities is
strong, especially in wearing apparel,
food products and house furnishings.
Shipments of general merchandise COM
pare favorably with this time last
year. and jobbers' house and mail or
ders remain fair in dry goods, foot
wear, hats and caps, woolens and suits.
A large number of buyers from near
by states make substantial selections
for early forwarding, particularly OF
linen and cotton goods, and the ad-
vance orders for Christmas wares
make an encouraging exhibit. Mer-
camille collections remain fairly
prompt and country merchants are
now more disposed to take the best
discounts on current purchases.
Pittsburg.-Mercant lines continue
slow, and retail merchants are buy
ing only in moderate lots. Collections
are slow and unsatisfactory, and there
is a good deal of complaint from some
jobbers. The distribution in dry goods
is scarcely moderate, and retail mer-
chants generally are taking sparingly
of merchandise in stock The demand
for fall and winter lines is light. The
demand for groceries is light, consume
ers buying in limited quantities, and
the produce market is dull Lumber is
moderately active, but the market lacks
tone and retailers are buying in very
small quantities. The coal market is
fairly active, production being centered
upon the most productive mines of the
district, and there are many plants
idle.
Baltimore-Wholesa business con-
tinues below normal, but retailers re-
port more activity owing to more sea-
sonable weather, and collections are
improving. Manufacturers of overalls
and work shirts are starting UP their
factories and taking on more hands TO
accommodate pressing orders. Clothing
manufacturers report an active bus1-
ness. Indications are that retailers In
this line are in a better position than
for some time past. having disposed of
their old stocks, and a more liberal dis
position is evinced in making new pur-
chases.
Kansas City-Retail trade is good
Wholesale trade is quiet. not many
buyers visiting this market. Collections
are not very good. Flour business con-
tinues active, local mills producing
74.40O barrels compared with 45,300
YEAR ago. Little export business is re-
ported. Wheat is active. prices chang
ing frequently: corn worked lower and
oats steady and in demand. Cattle sup
ply was moderately liberal, with
prices unchanged; hogs and sheep de-
clined under liberal receipts. Money Is
in fair demand, grain people using
considerable. Cattle and cotton paper
is in good supply. Discounts are quoted
at and per cent.
San Francisco-Imports into San
Francisco from foreign countries In
August were valued at S4,793,00O, OF
which s3,S01 900 came in free, and only
1892 600 was dlltiabfe- OF the free
goods, 900 was for raw silk. The
proportion of free goods last month
was rather larger than usual, In August
last year foreign imports We're valued
at s4.456.0o0, of which s2,9SS,oo0 were
free goods.