Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-11-13
THE EN- TIN Ell.
ROCKvILLE, MD.
Friday Morning November 10. 1908.
BUSINESS AND TIE OUTLOOK

0UOlA moo AMI INN w LLVVh
Activity in the stock market is quite likely
due TO the results of the election, for any
event of Importance is seized upon by stock
Spectators as reason for guessing that
prices will 60 up or down. II is not the
event, but the possible influence OF the event
upon the minds OF spectators and inves.
tors, that the brokers anticipate by buying
or selling stocks. There is very little ex.
cuse for connecting the general improve
ment that is going on in business with po.
litical events. The improvement has been
slow, but continuous, for several months.
Bank clearings have been approaching those
OF last year all through the summer. Rail-
road earnings have been approaching those
Of last year ever since late spring. The
earnings Of the Steel Corporation were much
larger In the summer quarter than 10 the
winter or spring quarter. The textile mills
have shown a considerable improvement
during the fall.
In addition TO these and other evidences
Of recuperation that has been going on for
good while, and has no relation 10 any
political events, the Northern crops have
been gathered, the cotton harvest is we'll
advanced, the movement OF the crops Is
making business for the railroads, their sale
Is putting money In the hands Of farmers
who are depositing part of it In their home
banks and spending the rest, and this Is the
season when grain and cotton go abroad
and money or credits come back. Money ID
coming In, collections are easier and there Ii
an increasing disposition TO invest.
Bank clearings last week made sub
stantial advance over those of the week be-
fore, and were nearly % per cent. bettel
than year ago; but at this time last year
IL will be remembered, the panic had bust
ness by the throat, money was boarded ant
factories were shutting down because they
could not getcurrency for their pay-rolls
For the fourth week OF October the gros
earnings Of the reporting railroads were on
ly a little over 8 per cent. below those Of thu
corresponding week Of last year. The wealth
e. has been q little more seasonable, an(
this has benefited retail trade; the approach
OF the holidays is already quickenlng ont
class Of business, textile mills and shoe fac
tories have more business in sight than theJ
have had for sometime, raw materials ar,
tending upward because Of increased de
mand from manufacturers, and credits ar,
extended with little more freedom.
There has been marked improvement IL
the pig iron trade; the railroads are send
ing in orders little more freely. Th,
Northern Pacific and the Rock Island road
have called for $4,000 and 5000 tons o
rails, respectively. The Missouri Pacific
has ordered repairs on 5000 freight cars
The Santa Fe has ordered 5000 tons Of stee
for bridges. The pig iron production wa
substantially larger in October than in Sep
TENDER. Twelve more furnaces are In bias
than was the case In the beginning OF las
month, and the weekly capacity of furnaces
In blast has increased $4,000 tons.
Wool sales 10 Boston were little large
than the week before and about three timel
as large as r year ago. A lighter demand
is expected during the next few weeks, be
GAUGE mnnY Of the large buyers have lait
in considerable supplies at prices lower ihAr
those COW quoted, and the sellers arc drn
in .h-ir demands. In the Pai.ade. .tI
Z ssa.sS. s.,ss bee tie more lsa Il
from manufacturers. Cotton BRIGGS aavl
weakened slightly. The crop moysman
has been very large. There have bees 30.
exports, and spinncrs are taking cotton pref
ty freely. The speculation in futures ha
broadened trifie. All divisions Of the dry
goods market show considerable improve
ment. In some lines prices have been ad
vanced; in others they are firmly held. A
fair amount of duplicate orders for mem
wear spring goods are coming in. Sho,
shipments from Boston are about the SAINT
as the previous week, but still show a con
siderable decrease from last year. A goot
many orders have been received for the win
ter and early spring The leather marke
is flrmer.
Changes in wheat prices have been yer.
smail' Large teCeipts nuu pet'ei "e"'no
In Argentina have had tendency to de
press prices, but have been counterbalanceC
by possibilities In the Mediterranean. Corr
has declined on high estimates Of the har
vest, fine weather for curing and dullnes
OF the export demand. There has beef
considerable Western speculation in lard
without much change in prlce.-Philddel
phia Record.