The Topeka state journal., 1908-02-08
What There Is Indicates 9
Steady Improvement.
RAILROAD EARNINGS
Are Showing a Smaller Per-
centage Of Decrease.
Larger Forces at Work in the
Leading Industries.

New York. Feb. 8.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says:
Little change appears in the COM
mercial situation but progress is in the
right dierction insofar as any differ
ence can be discerned. Recent gains
are maintained in almost every in
stance and a few further encouraging
symptoms appear. notably the smaller
decreases in railroad earnings and
larger forces at work on leading indus
tries. Wholesale and jobbing houses
prepare for the future most conserva-
lively. Mercantile collections are ir-
regular. some districts reporting fairly
prompt settlement but at other points
payments are slow.
On the whole the iron ana steel in
dustry is in a better position than a
week ago, although new contracts are
placed with much caution and each or
der is the object of extensive negotia-
tions. Business that appeared several
weeks ago is still pending, and buyers
have been able to secure smar guam
titles Of pig iron at further reductions.
Bradstreet's.
Bradstreet's says: While retail
trade in some lines of wearing ap-
parel has been helped by the coldest or
stormiest weather of the winter, other
branches of trade and industry and
with sufficiently to make the week as
a whole a rather quiet one the coun-
try over. Wholesale and jobbing
trade has been rather quiet and, while
there are signs that Improvement
along lines is making progress, the
caution as regards spring buying is as
marked as ever and the country mer-
chants policy, even where the most
active buying is noted Is in the direc-
ton of small and frequent rather than
10 MI h q oc
a whole are irregular, grain quotations
rallying from the depression Of last
month, but other lines showing little
strength. and this week some metals
provisions and cotton are lower, with
most other lines displaying weak tone.
Raw wool sales are largely at conces-
sions. Collections show little improve
ment.
Buying of pig iron is of the small lot
character but in the aggregate Is of
fair proportions. However, the price
situation is weaker and especially in
the central west. Bar iron is up two
dollars per ton. Demand for structural
material is fair but certain lines have
shaded prices in order to stimulate
business. Prices on plate are also low
er. the concessions being offered by the
less important makers. -
Business failures in the United States
for the week ending February g. num-
ber z72 again 359 last week, 15S in the
like week of 1907, 204 In 1905, 287 in 1905
and 202 In 1904
Canadian failures for this week num-
Der 80 as against A last week and 18
in this week year ago.
Wheat, including -four exports from
the United States and Canada for the
week ending February aggregated
4, 507. .456 bushels against 4.328,205 last
week, S,319,93o this week last year and
4.SO0, ,457 in 1906. For the 80 weeks OF
the fiscal year the exports are 144.566,
682 bushels against 1883, ,612 in 1906
and 1907 and 100, ,409, 100 in 1901 and 1902
Corn exports for the week are 1885,
1856 bushels against 1,947. .s27 last week
and 2,407, ,0S9 in 1907. For the fiscal year
to date the exports are 81, 1884 BUSH
els against 35,637. 1877 in 1906 and 1907.