Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-21
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS
Holiday Trade Acknowledging Bust
ness SeasonabIy Quiet

tions are favorable there is a good re-
tall movement of seasonable merchan-
disc. Wholesale and jobbing houses
do about the customary amount of
business for this time of year. a few
lines being very busy on orders for
quick shipment. but most concerns
take stock and wait for the January
demand. Statesmen are returning for
the holidays, bringing only fair orders,
while expressing confidence in 1909.
Forward spring contracts have been
most encouraging, many mills and fac
tories having good orders for shipment
during the next three months, but
there is still more or less idle machin-
cry in the leading Industries. Mer-
camille collections are prompt for the
season and trade shows a tendency to
improve gradually. Reports are es-
pecially encouraging from the central
states and the northwest.
Boston.--There is a fair amount OF
wholesale business in staple merchan-
disc, but in most departments trading
is of the year-end character and con-
fined to immediate requirements. Pros
poets are good for more active opera
lions early in the new year. Stocks be-
ing carried are moderate in most in
stances and considerable replenish-
ment will be in order. Christmas
trade in retail shops is large and the
volume in excess of last year All
holiday merchandise is selling more
freely than year ago. Lower raw
factors in the cotton goods market
lao s,,<r f1n
ing in the trade that prices have seen
the top for a time. Fall River mills.
however. are in good shape and manu-
facturers are not disturbed by reports
of sales from second hands at re-
duced prices.
Minneapolis.--4Hol buying is in
full swing; sales are ahead of last
year, and While continued mild wealth
,er has retarded business in some lines,
retail trade is very satisfactory. Build
ing activity is unusual for this time
of the year and a good demand for
hardware, paints and glass is report
ed. Foodstuffs are moving freely and
jobbers in practically all lines report
satisfactory business. Lumber ship
ments for the week We're 2,566.0O0 feet.
tive, and shows gain over that of the
same time last year. Business in whole
sale lines continues fairly active as
regards immediate orders and those for
future delivery. The manufacturing es-
Establishments are receiving fair orders
for January and future delivery. Col
lections are good. Grain is active, but
prices are lower. Wheat is 2la cents
lower, corn one-half cent and oats
cent. Some of the our mills are rum
ming only half time, as the demand for
-four is moderate and mainly domestic;
exporters are buying very little flour.
Prices are weaker. Spot cotton is fair
ly active and one-auarter cent lower.
Pig lead and spelter are fairly active
at steady prices. Lumber receipts are
falling off, arrivals being by rail al
together. Good stock is steady. Live
1N cents to 20 cents higher, hogs Is
cents to 25 lower, and sheep 20 cents
ton,30 cents lower.
Kansas City-Holiday trade Is very
satisfactory. but jobhing lines are ex-
periencing the usual quiet Collections
are reported good. The past week has
shown some increase of output by Kan
sas City flour mills, $4,000 barrels be-
ing turned out compared with 10000
barrels the same week a year ago.
Dealers report new flour business very
light, not being equal to the OUTPUT
Some mills report bookings sufficient
to keep them running full time. to
Feb. l. The decline of wheat of nearly
9 cents, did not appear to benefit the
flour trade. Mill feed is strong, with
NOT much change in quotations. Trad
ing in wheat was active but the mar
ket is bearish under good crop reports,
Corn is off in price and oats steady
being steady and COWS and heifers
higher. Hogs We're slow and lower,
while sheep and lambs were steady.
The run of horses and mules were very
light. Banks report ample money. with
loans falling off.
Pittsburg-There Is fair movement
Of seasonable merchandise and the
holiday trade is beginning to develop,
but in some quarters there have been
expressions of disappointment as to
the volume of trade in the retail lines.
Some complaint is made as to fancy
goods and articles of luxury. and the
buying of wearing apparel and house
hold necessities seems to be more
marked. at the EXPENSE of other lines.
There have been good sales for dress
goods. mems and women's furnishings
and also of shoes. The building business
is rather dull and not much improve
ment is expected before spring. The
lumber market also is quiet. The gro
Gerry trade is steady as to demand but
collections are not uniformly salts
factory.
Philadelphia-A slight Improvement
is noted among textile manufacturers.
bu. a large percentage of machinery is
still idle. The cloak and suit trade are
quiet. altho making active preparations
for spring trade. Manufacturers of
mems clothing are booking fair orders
for spring Manufacturers of shirt
waists report slight increase in bust
ness. The wool market is dull, manu-
facturers being pretty we'll supplied for
current needs by previous purchases.
Dealers are firm in their views. and
not disposed to allow even slight con-
cessions. The supply of desirable stock
is small and f1eeces are particularly
scarce. The leather market remains
strong and sales are of good size.