Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-03

I commerce al New ! OTk ALONE lOI lIlG
past week showed a gain of s5.466,915
! in exports and decrease of $4,000
same week last year. New York re-
ports money is abundant and cheap,
even mercantile loans being made at
~ per cent while foreign exchange
rates rose nearer the point at which
| gold may be sent abroad.
More iron and steel plants have re-
sumed and the outlook is brighter.
even railway equipment attracting
more attention. The situation is bet
consumers seek prompt delivery, in
| dicating that the recent season of con-
servatism has nearly exhausted stocks,
and suggesting that when confidence
is fully restored a vast tonnage of de-
| ferred business will be placed. 1t is
said that few orders for cars are to be
| anticipated when freight shipments are
| decreasing and the roads have no
money for extending facilities, but
these conditions are changing, and
already several bond issues have re-
| Sponded to the easier money market.
Various deductions We're made from
the report of the Steel Corporations but
on the whole the figures seem encour
aging.
Boston-Further price changes in
cotton goods unsettle the primary
market and trade halts, while the job
bling dry goods trade is only fair. the
recent unseasonably mild weather
having a disagreeable Influence. as
does the hesitancy in some quarters
about taking goods, even those prey
iously contracted for. Reports from
the makers of mems wear wool goods
are not favorable.
Providence better feeling Is
noted in the worsted yarn market. due
to an Improvement of the dress goods
trade The cut in bleached goods has
resulted in the transaction of very
fair business Machinery and machine
tool manufacturers are busy mostly on
old contracts.
Chicago-New demands come for
ward slowly in manufacturing. but
is broader activity in the distributive
lines. Retail sales in leading branches
continue to reduce stocks, and the cold
weather brought better absorption of
winter clothing. Interior buyers ar
rive in greater numbers, and, While
some purchases are confined to pres
ent needs, selections of spring goods
reached a gratifying total. Advance
orders for furniture, hardware and
food products equal expectations.
st. Paul.-Business conditions i'm
prove steadily and manufacturing and
iobbing trade returns for the month
compare favorably with the cores
ponding period a year ago.
neapolis.-Coder weather has
stimulated retail trade somewhat, but
winter goods are moving slowly. Or
ders for spring delivery are We'll up
with previous years and in some lines
indicate heavy future trade.
Indianapolis-Ma report
increased inquiries and note tendency
towards more active business, and
are increasing their forces. Jobbing
lines are fairly active.
Cleyeland.-Retail trade shows some
Improvement. but is still unsatisfac-
tory, and dealers do not expect much
change until the opening of the spring
season.
Pittsburg.-There is better feeling
in Wholesale and jobbing lines altho
the demand has not shown any ma
terial improvement. Dry goods are
fairly active.
Observation-Disclosures continues to
show a gradual improvement in vol
ume. atho orders are Still very small.
New Orleans-The improvement in
trade conditions continues, the move
ment of merchandise is fairly good and
collections are much better. Retail
trade is fair.
Nashville-Trade is slowly improv-
ing and much more hopeful feeling
exists. Travelling statesmen report tl1e'l
outlook to be encouraging.
ADMINISTRATION steadily i'm
prove, tho sales and shipments are be-
low normal as out-of-toWn buyers
are not purchasing beyond actual re-
but stocks are low and a
good future trade is expected.
Portland, Ore.-A gradual resump-
tion of buying by the country mer-
chants is reported by wholesalers, who
look for spring trade of practically
the same volume as last year. Retail |
business is steadily expanding in most |
lines.