Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-28
BUSINESS At LEADING POINTS.
Holiday Trade Big and Jobbers Sc.
cure Heavy Sprinu Orders.


cure Heavy Spring Orders.
| New York, Dec. 2S.--Retai sales
have been large, both of holiday goods
and staples, but seasonable dullness Is
noted in jobbing and wholesale lines.
Fall River mills and some other man
ufacturing plants closed from Thurs
day night to Monday morning, but
other shops had too many orders on
hand for an extended holiday, and In
ventories promise much pressure for
delivery after Jan. /. Output Of iron
and steel is steadily increasing, blast
furnaces at Gary being added to the
active capacity this week. Little
change occurs In prices, but most COM
modities rising where any alteration Is
found. Aside from some complaints
at the south, attributed to the low
price of cotton, trade reports indicate
much greater activity than year ago,
while the Improvement in sentiment Is
still more striking, and the recovery
in security values was accelerated by
purchases In anticipation Of January
dividend investments.
Kansas Ci.y-Retail holiday trade is
very satisfactory, the weather being
favorable. Jobbers are doing more than
usual for this season. but are main
ly preparing for a large spring trade
Kansas City mills turned out $4,000
barrels Of flour the past week, COM
pared to $4,000 a year ago. Wheat sold
on a gradually advancing market.
which maintained -four prices There
was a good demand for mill feed. Be st
wheat was up from kc. to 1c., with a
nj rd nd
we'll. Cattle trade was active, with
prices tending higher. Sheep were on
a higher basis, but hogs were slow and
lower. There was little new demand
for money, but country business is good
as result of heavy holiday trade.
Chicago-Trade returns exhibit un"
precedented sales of holiday goods, in
creased dealings In primary foodstuffs
and further gain in manufactures.
Conditions generally afford consider
able encouragement, purchasing power
being stronger and the outlook i'm
proving steadily for Increased activity
in the leading industries after New
Year. The new s75,000,O0O steel plant
at Gary started up on Monday, when
furnace No. IL was lighted and the
enormous rolling mill is expected to b.
in use during January. Other depart
ments will open up in rapid succession.
Considerable work Is already assured.
and it is expected that the mills will
give employment to 10000 hands New
demands for pig iron, rails, rolling
stock and structural materials come
forward with less hesitancy, prices
show steadiness and outputs disclose
further recovery at most factories.
Some curtailment is seen In belt maxi
ing, but other leather working lines
have ample contracts for spring deltv-
cries, and the shoe shops are excep-
tionally well situated.
Boston - Weather conditions have
been ideal and holiday trade active.
with the volume Of business far larger
than last year, and equalling in many
departments the best on record. Con-
siderable improvement this year over
last Is reported in sales of jewelry and
expensive articles. Wholesale business
has continued quiet and the jobbing
trade in dry goods and all staples of
moderate character as usual at this
season Of the year There is a good
deal Of confidence in the cotton goods
situation, stocks being moderate and
the mills well supplied with contracts.
Jobbing houses are accepting delivery
on spring merchandise as fast as the
mills are able to make shipments.
Cincinnati-Retai stores have had a
good holiday trade. In dry goods the
movement is active and, while largely
in fancy articles, the distribution OF
standard fabrics is considerable. Man
ufacturers of clothing are looking for
ward to good spring trade and the
amount of business booked now as
compared to last year is considerable.
Business in pig iron continues in linn
tied amount and, while there is no
great activity, it is mainly in deliveries
for this year.
Minneapolis - Usual holiday condi-
lions prevail. Travelling statesmen are
in and jobbers are cleaning up for the
year end. Retail sales are good and
probably the largest in volume in the
city's commercial history. Lumber
shipments for the week 2,704,000 feet,
compare with 100000 feet a year ago.
st. Louis-Holiday trade is active
and more extensive than last year. In
wholesale lines business is slackening a
little, but is normal. Manufacturing
establishments are not shutting down
for the holidays to any extent, and
have quite a number of orders ahead.
Collections are good The grain market
is active. Wheat is 1 cent higher, corn
u cent lower and oats 1 cent. Curtaii-
ments of flour output continues, as the
export demand is limited and domestic
buyers operate lightly.