Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-12-20
BUSINESS AT LEADING POINTS.
People Have Money to Spend and Are
Snendinu IL

New York, Dec. 2o.-That the people
have money to spend and are willing
to spend it, is proven by the active
holiday trade reported at most of the
large cities of the country It is proven
also by the heavy imports which. dur
ing November, were $140,392. 900, the
largest months total on record. and
s36 All 600 greater than a year ago. At
the port of New York during the latest
week the imports were s17,406798. a
gain Of s1,755995 over a year ago, and
s2163,613 in excess of the months ex-
ports. The year Is closing with the vol
ume of business back to more than the
normal point. and with confidence fully
restored. The prevailing high COM
modify prices indeed produce consid-
cradle irregularity, and there is much
discussion among close students Of
economic conditions as to their effect
upon the money market and the indus
trial and labor situation. But the bus
| mess world seems to be adjusting it.
| self to the conviction that an era of
high prices has set in to continue for
an indefinite period. Railroad earnings
continue to expand, the gain for the
| first week of December being so per
cent. and advances in rate of divi-
bends by two important systems are an
event of the week On the other hand
the railroads are still between the dou-
he fire of popular effort by shippers
to secure lower rates and the demand
of employees for higher wages.
| Pittsburg.-Retail trade is quite ac-
j, tive and in volume exceeds that of this
period last year. The jobbing business
has been good and the colder weather
has stimulated business in seasonable
lines Prices OF provisions and dairy
products are high, but the movement
is fair, and groceries are steady. New
building operations have dropped but
work under construction is consider
able Hardware houses report a much
better year than 1908 and collections
are easier. Developments in the win
dow glass trade tend to firrner quota
4 tions. the independents having formed
selling arrangement, and revised quo
/ tations are 30 and rs for single and Sc
and 80 for, double. The rise in the local
1000, 900 bushels of COAL the accumu-
lation of some months.
adelphia.-Demand for dry goods
T
4 tent, altlno it is still better than at this
time last year, and commission cotton
goods houses state that while business
during the season has been satisfac-
tory, it 1t now quiet on account OF
conditions in the raw material market
Shirt waist manufacturers are fairly
active on spring orders, and manufac-
turers Of cloaks and suits, many OF
whom are exhibiting their new lines
expect a good business the coming
season. Wholesale millinery houses
report quiet trade at present althc
inquiries are encouraging. Leather is
firm and prices remain highly
4 Chicago.-Weather conditions i'm
prove and stimulate the general de-
mand for seasonable commodities
Leading retail lines exhibit gratifying
lactivity and the demand for Christ
mas wares surpasses previous high
records. Trade generally reflects sus-
tanned progress, but recent storms are
Irresponsible for reduced crop market
ings. The markets for raw materials