Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-29
BUSINESS At LEADING POINTS.
Good Weather Stimulates Trade in
West and Northwest.

New York. March 2S.-Good weather
stimulates a large distribution of nner-
chandise, and reports from the leading
trade centers, and particularly those in
the west and northwest speak of ac-
tive markets in most lines. Bank
clearings increased 1871 per cent over
1909 and 24.5 per cent over 1905 outside
of New York and 20.5 per cent and II Z
per cent, respectively in New York.
These gains are all the more impressive
because speculative transactions are
not active, the whole financial situation
being in a waiting state. Railroad
earnings are in line with the bank
clearings, showing for two weeks Of
March a gain of 1872 per cent. The iron
and steel trade reports increased bust
ness. which is especially noteworthy
in finished materials. This gain is ac-
comranied by continued decline in
| prices for pig iron. In the dry goods
| trade the features are revision in
prices, and a somewhat better d.: md,
which calls for immediate shipments,
disclosing low stocks in jobbing and
retailing hands Improvement is also
noted in the shoe trade and likewise in
/ leather.
/ Boston--Retail trade in Easter goods,
while not of large volume, is reported
as fairly satisfactory and we'll distrib-
uted, the lower priced novelties meeting
! with the heaviest sale. Progress has
been made in the marketing of spring
/ and summer merchandise, and the
| prospect of an early spring encourages
! the hope of continued and growing ac-
tivity. All retail merchants, however.
report that the agitation as to high
prices is apparent in the distribution Of
clothing of all kinds Developments
in the cotton goods market have dis
| couraged buying to some extent and
! the week is reported a quiet one by
dry goods jobbing houses, tho business
to date exceeds in volume the record
Of the previous month. Ginghams and
seasonable wash goods are moving
steadily. Some activity in leather Is
reported and the footwear situation is
fairly encouraging. The improvement
in wool sales noticed week ago is not
maintained, new business last week be-
/ ing limited and shipments on old orders
small. Prices tend to weaken despite
strong foreign advices.
Philadelphia - Altho manufacturers
Of mems and boys clothing say that the
season has been satisfactory, and
spring business has been better than
last year, cloak and suit manifac-
turers note quiet conditions and expert
eDce difficulty in filing orders because
of labor troubles. Shirt waist manu-
facturers continue busy. Jobbers of
w)olens and cottons and wholesale
dry goods houses find local business
quiet, but the latter state that out-of-
town business is normal. Sales of mil
linery at wholesale have slightly i'm
proved and a good season is now anti
aiT tor r ;-- foiv Nv,
strong at unchanged prices, while deal
ers in glazed kid report that trade, al
tho quite active III hardly up to a short
time ago. Shoe dealers say that bust
ness generally has slightly improved,
altho local trade is still dull
Pittsburg-Fairly satisfactory condi-
tons prevail in most lines and collec-
tons are improving slightly There
is a slight 1ull in the machinery trade
which is regarded as temporary, but
industrial concerns are quite active.
Building operations are being held back
to some extent but fair activity is ex-
pected within a month or SO. The de-
mand is better for window glass and
quotations are firmly held, while 1um-
Der dealers report a fair market.
Chicago-Trade generally shows the
quickening attending Easter. the adj
vent or spring and remarkably fine
weather. New building and heavy con-
struction work are vigorously pushed
forward, and many additional hands
find employment Activity in the prin-
cipa1 industries and distribution is now
comparing favorably with the previous
best records. Crop marketings are
liberal despite the lower trend of prices,
and advices testify to the rapid spread
of farm work and healthy appearance
Of winter wheat and rye thruout the
important growing sections. West
bound freight includes enormous guam
, titles of heavy materials, factory out
puts and general merchandise. and the
farmers buy freely of plantation re-
quirements, machinery, hardware and
. other needs for improvements. Money
is in stronger request and the supply
II of desirable commercial paper in
fcreases. but the discount rate is un-
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