Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-03-09
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.

BUSINESS At LEADING POINTS.
Money is getting cheap, but factories
are running light, and wholesale prices
are at low levels, altho there seems t..
be a good volume OF sales being made
From various parts of the country the
reports are as follows:
hicago.-Improved weather and re-
moval of hindrances to movements O;
freight and farm products permitted
more general activity, and trade is
wider in eading lines of distribution
Buyers from many sections crowd the
wholesale district, and there is an ac-
dry goods, f God products. furniture
and footwear, and shipping rooms are
past few months. Sales of millinery
and notions closely approach the ag-
gregate at this time last year, and
there is less hesitancy in women's gar
ments and clothing than was felt in the
country demand during February. For
warding of merchandise to western
points is not so heavy as a year ago
but the tonnage increases. Mercantile
collections reflect further ease in f1nan-
cial conditions, and there is less anx-
iety as to credits. March payments at
the banks swell the volume of clear
ings and brought further release of
funds, but the offerings of choice COM
mercial aper remain narrow, and
money is variously quoted, with the
prevailing rate sig per cent
st. Louis.-Inward and outward
movements of merchandise show con-
siderable improvement over January,
and in a great number of lines there
are gains over the corresponding
month last year. Out-of-town buy
ers are in | arge attendance and are
making fair purchases, and manufac-
turers are increasing their output
steadily. Collections are only fair.
Business in flour is larger with prices
firmer. Spot cotton is moderately ac-
tive at decline of 1sc. Lumber re-
ceipts are increasing, and the demand
is improving, while prices are steady.
The demand for money is fair. Com
mercial paper is discounted at 51a to
per cent.
Observation-Disclosures of woolens
and wholesale dry goods houses report
slight improvement in business, but
some grades of goods are difficult to
facturers being unable to fill orders
promptly Wholesale milliners are in
the midst of their spring opening, and
indications point to good business.
Manufacturers are still operating very
cautiously in wool and seeking conces-
sions in prices; fine staples are in
light supply and steadily held, but
clothing woods and the lower grades
of all descriptions are weak and unset
tledt The textile Industries are very
dull, and large percentage of en-
ployes are laid off. Manufacturers of
shirt waists and of cloalls, clothing and
suits are fairly active, but orders are
not up to the preceding year.
Boston.-The few changes reported
in trade conditions are favorable, q
slight Improvement being apparent in
the volume of orders. In the matter of
prices. however. the situation is still
unsettled. Both raw ma
terials and manufactured articles are
moving at considerable reduction in
some cases. but it is believed the bot
tom has been touched. Sales of wool
are little larger, but prices are low;
further material shrinkage is not eN-
pected, tho the outlook is by no means
clear. Building materials are quiet, the
demand for lumber being particularly
reduced. Reports from the leSule IN
dustry are still unsatisfactory, low
prices for cotton goods falling to slim
lIlate trade. There is no Improvement
to speak of in the market for mems
wear woo!ens. a very small percentage
If the usual orders for heavy weight
fabrics having been placed notwith-
standing the lateness of the season.
Dress goods mills, however. report a
fair volume of business. The money
market shows a tendency To ease, but
The demand is small at 4 to Az per
cent for call and 81: to per cent on
time.
Kansas City Trade in most lines is