Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-19
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.

cnange was at % premium.
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.
Movement of Trade Slow But of Large
Volume.
New York. April 19-Altho the
movement of trade is slow, it is of large
volume, and steadily in the direction
of Improvement. No other interpreta-
ton can be given of the records of
bank clearings. which show a gain of
12.0 per cent. over bith 1908 and 1906,
outside of New York and the reports
of railroad earnings for the first week
of April, which make a gain of 1876
per cent over last year. The Starting of
outdoor activities under generally sea-
sonable spring weather imparts well
come stimulus. and the new building
operations are a really notable develop
ment. promising much for the whole
business situation. The iron and steel
trade is giving a better account of it
self, altho the larger orders are the re-
suit of the sacrifice of prices. The dry
goods trade is still experiencing the
benefits resulting from the large China
expectations of cotton goods. In WOOL
ems the signs are suspicious for the
fall trade. The footwear market also
exhibits an advance in activity But
while there are these and other proofs
of Improvement. the situation has not
Vet entirely shaken itself free from the
effects of the recent depression The
further advance in cash wheat has all
ready reduced the exports of bread
stuffs to low figures.
I.,l
sonable weather and activity extends
IN manufacturing and distribution.
Heavy tonnages are booked in pig iron
and structural steel, while inquiries
multiply for railway equipment, forge
and foundry outputs. Rail mills draw
upon full capacity, orders for future
deliveries steadily accommodating, and
the demand is broader for plates. pipe
and merchant iron. Increased forces
testify to improving conditions in car
building, heavy machinery, hardware
and electric lines. Woodworking
braches report gains in forward de-
mands for furniture. and outputs in
crease in box making and planning mill
I materials. Hard woods remain firm
in values. owing to scarcity of ade-
duate grades for factory needs, and the
1 soft woods are in strong request for
outside construction and local build
4 ing requirements. Movements of quarry
products make a remarkable exhibit,
the consumption being beyond all for
! mer experience and values tend up
/ ward. especially for stone and cement,
brick having recently made a sharp
4 advance on local makes Hides and
i leather disclose less weakness than re-
Gently reported and the current buy
/ ing REFLECTS a wider absorption at foot
wear, betting and harness factories, but
/ trunks and leather novelties have made
only moderate recovery from the de-
preston.
Kansas City.-A healthy, seasonable
| jobbing trade continues at this point
and travellers are sending in good or
ders for future delivery. Backward
spring weather prevents many filling
in orders, but collections are fairly
good. Western Kansas has never had
such promising crop outlook as at
I the present time, and in the balance of
the state wheat looks we'll. Trade
prospects for the coming year are
bright. The output of the Kansas City
mills the past week was 36.7oO bar
rels, compared with 1900 for the cor
responding week a year ago. Kansas
and Oklahoma mills are running on
short time, and as mi1lers have fol-
lowed advancing wheat prices by add
ing 30 to 80 cents to the asking price
for -four, little new business has re-
suited
Pittsburg.-Condition are slowly
improving, jobbers reporting more
ha
and retail trade in most lines is a lit
tie better. Collections are still unsatis-
factory. Groceries and provisions are
moving in fair volume The lumber
market is still dull, but increasing
building activity is noted. Shipments
of coal have fallen off considerably
and the demand is light. Fancy glass
ware and lamps are in poor demand
and some travelling statesmen have been
called in. Window glass is weak and
a further cut in prices is announced
to 90 and 40 on single strength glass
and 80, 40 and 10 on double strength
glass.
Boston.-In several particulars the
commercial situation shows improve
ment, wholesale branches that have
. ruled quiet since the first of the year
reporting more activity and nrme1
tone. The leather and shoe trades are
both more satisfactory than for some
weeks. Manufacturers are receiving q
alrger volume of orders for shoes. an6
n turn are operating more freely in
'aather. There is a frmer tone to the
cotton goods market and better de.
mand from first hands. Dry goods Job
bers, while having a quieter demand
since the holidays, report prospects ex.
cellent for an active trade as soon as
retailers move seasonable goods more
freely.
st. Paul.-Jobbing trade returns re.
fleet satisfactory progress. Seasonablt
lines of wearing apparel, dry goods
hats. gloves and millinery continue il
good demand and advance orders fol
fall delivery make a favorable show.
ing. Wholesale drugs and chemical:
and paints and oils are active. In gro.
ceries and hardware there is a stead,
demand and an Increasing bushes.
: appears in building materials and ma.
chinery. Shoe factories operate up t.
,, capacity and harness manufacturer
are busily engaged.