Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-09-01
TRADE GROWS BETTER.
Resumption Of Manufacturing pper-
atoms Encourages Retail Buying.

atoms Encourages Retail Buying.
New York, Aug 31.---Gradual Inn
provement continues, especially In re-
spect to the percentage of manufaetur-
ing plants in operation. and country
merchants are more disposed to re-
plenish stocks. Retail trade is seas
onably quiet, except where sales are
stimulated by clearance sales, but
wholesale and jobbing houses are do
ing good fall business. altho coilec-
lions are irregular. With the excep-
ton of The cotton mills, there is much
less idle machinery in the leading IN
dustries Active capacity Is enlarging
at steel plants and iron furnaces,
worsted mills are doing better, and
shoe shops have more orders on hanG.
altho shipments from Boston still TAI
short of the same week last year.
Several wage agreements have been
signed, and there is little strife be-
tween capital and labor. Needed rain
has fallen in leading corn districts,
but floods have caused damage to cot
ton, while wheat harvesting In the
Canadial, northwest is retarded by
rain en- the whole. however, crop
prospects are satisfactory, and produc-
ers obtain unusually high prices. Rail-
way earnings thus far reported for
August were 1873 per cent less than
similar returns last year, and foreign
commerce at this port for the latest
week shows losses OF $560,911 in ex-
ports and $6,6s9, 952 in Imports as COM
pared with the same week in 1907.
ChHca go-Trade generally reflects
the stimulus OF Improving conditions.
Actual gains become more apparent IN
the leading industries, production
showing an increase and new demands
larger in iron and steel branches. Con-
tracts for plates and Structures Shapes
reached the greatest tonnage entered
this season, and one road ordered l.
900 steel cars to cost $1.000,0O0s Pas-
senger cars are also In wider request
for early deliveries and more hands
and machinery are employed IN the
Calumet district. Inquiries for forge
work, power, electric supplies aro 1ur-
niture come forward encoura yingly for
future activity, and there Is closer
approach to normal conditions IN stdrih
impleln ents, woodworking and fool
wear Railroad managers report IN
creasing movements of finished pro-
ducts, and q strong advance defnAho
for cars to market the crops. SNIP
ments Of currency for that purpose
being now active. The building inter
ests have much work in sight, ana
new plans for heavy construction are
seen to involve considerable expenda-
lures and assure much reduction OF
idle labor. Receipts OF the principal
raw materials are ample for the PRES
emit rate of consumption, and the mar
kets for hides, leather. wool and lum-
her reflect firmer values. The supply
of commercial paper does not equal
the demand, but it is growing, and
/ there are ample funds available for
legitimate undertakings, money being
quoted from 3a to ~ per cent
Pittsburg.-Trade conditions conIm-
ue rather quiet, but there IS a ralr
movement in seasonable merchahdlse
and jobbers report business picking up
slightly. Heavy purchases by RETAIL
ers are not looked for until the I'M
proyement in the iron and steel s1fua-
ton becomes more marked. Inc iun-
Der business continues quiet alth3 puy-
ing takes spurts, am order for l,OpV,Uou
feet being reported this week. a talr
demand is reported for window glass
and previous prices are adhered TO-
The hardware line shows fair move
ment. but feels the effect of the quiet
ness in building operations. sales OF
wire goods are reported heavier than
for some time past There is estimated
III, 900. 900 bushels of coal IN the Plt1s-
burg f1arbor awaiting a rise Tor SNIP
ment to the south and west, and owing
TO inability to ship, "a reduction In OUT
p,,. is reported in the river mines
Observation-Disclosures of Woolens
and wholesale dry goods report a sllgh
increase in sales. Wholesale millinery
houses are having their fall openings
and some inquiries are noted. New
woods are arriving more freely and are
being opened and graded. The demand
for quarter blood is good and desirable
lots are taken at full prices. Territory
woods are arriving and the cholcer
clips are meeting with fair sale at GOOD
values. Trade conditions quiet with
manufacturers of clothing and OF
cloals and suits, iaatho a slight I'M
| proyement for small orders is noted
this week Manufacturers OF slllr.
waists report fall business light. Leath-
err is strong and more active than lor
some time past and slight advance III
nrice lis noted in the better grades.
Glazed kid dealers report purchases In
larger amounts than for some time
past. Shoe dealers report trade fair.
but very few large orders for future
delivery.
Minneapolis Harvest returns con-
tinue satisfactory and merchants are
buying more freely than for a long
time and merchandise stocks are being
slowly built up. Dry goods. notions ana
wearing apparel are active. Agricul-
tural implements and supplies are sea-
sonably quiet. but hardware and bii1id
ing material show some increase Col
lections are slow. There is less de-
mand 1ax white ptneand building aana.