Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-09-14
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.


BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.
Reports Indicate Increase in Trade in
the Aggregate.
New York, Sept. 14.-tSmall gains are
the rule in trade reports, altho
changes are often insignificant, and
it is only in the aggregate that any
tangible progress can be discerned. In
terruption of holiday made compar-
isons with the same, week last year
unusually adverse, but industrial re-
ports indicate that much machinery
that has been idle for mony months
resumed after Labor day. Production
Of pig iron is now at higher rate
than at any previous time this year,
and many hands have returned to
work at textile mills, while shipping
departments in all wearing apparel
houses are beginning to feel the pres
sure of demand for fall and winter
trade Depleted stocks in the hands
of country merchants and confidence
in steady improvement in business
encourage producers, altho actual con-
tracts come forward conservatively.
Official statistics of condition promise
larger crops than last year, while the
small stocks carried over are maintain
ing high prices, to the great satisfac-
ton of agricultural communities. Rail-
way earnings in August were 14.1 per
cent smaller than in 1907. while for
eign commerce at this port alone for
the last week showed losses of $495,603
in exports and $2,9S1, $50 in imports as
compared with similar figures for last
year.
Chicago-The movement of COM
modities was affected by the labor
holiday, and crop marketings disclose
sharp falling off, but the leading in
dustries and distribution of general
merchandise sustain the recent i'm
provement Fall buying extends to a
wider variety of finished products.
footwear expand, the attendance of
outside buyers exceeding all previous
records. Heavy weight apparel, wool
ems and blankets ordered for early for
warding compare favorably in volume
with year ago, and there is a healthy
demand for food products, hardware,
furniture and leather goods.
Stocks at most interior points are
low, but replenishing is made eau
tiously, merchants being yet conserva-
lively disposed and awaiting more dis
tinct evidences of returning prosper
ity. Mercantile credits are in good
shape, money is more plentiful among
buyers and there is "a growing tenden-
cy to secure advantageous discounts
on purchases Shipping rooms exhibit
a return to normal activity, and deliv-
cries of goods figure largely in rail-
way traffic. There is also some gain
in the outputs of iron, steel, electric
and Woodworking plants. The effort
to increase production in manufacture
ing is gradually reducing idle ma
inery, and more hands find re-eln-
ployment in several important
branches. Wire and rail mills run close
to capacity, and there are increasing
inquiries for pig iron, plates, struc-
tural materials, furniture and leather.
Lumber dealings are larger, and higher
prices for both hardwoods and pine
testify to healthy recovery in this
market.
Pittsburg. Merchandise lines con-
tinue slow and while there is some inn
provement, conditions are below nor
NAL, and there is considerable COM
plant of slow collections. Dry goods
are not very active, orders placed for
future delivery being below last year
at this date There is some improve
ment in hardware, but trade is still
slow The movement in groceries and
provisions is somewhat irregular, but
produce is fairly active The Lumber
market is quiet. The closing of two
local banks has not affected general
conditions materially. The money mar
ket remains easy. Coal is in fairly good
demand, and river operators have a
large tonnage loaded in the lower har-
bors awaiting favorable boating
stage.
Minneapolis.-Sales in manufacture
ing and jobbing lines are closely ap-
preaching in the aggregate the figures
of 1907. Country merchants are put
ting in larger stocks, and with the
new crop of wheat being marketed
collections will ease up very material
ly. AL! lines of winter goods are NOV
ing freely and orders for spring de-
liveries are being placed. Building
permits for the year to date aggregate
in cost 1864, 400, and compare with
s7,3O6, 100, for the same period in 1907
Shipments of lumber for the week are
1886, 900 feet, against 3,96S,0O0 feet a
year ago.
st. Louis-Purchasing by country
merchants continues extensive, and in
several lines exceeds the correspond
ing period last year. Movement OF
goods to the country is also quite large
as a great deal of the buying is for
immediate delivery. Retail trade is
fair. Nearly all manufacturing con-
Germs have fair orders, and run from
% to 80 ner cent capacitY. COllecllOns