The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-28
Traffic Officials See Ne Signs Of
Better Business.
Last Weeks Volumne Offered No
Encouragement.
BEST IN SOUTHWEST.
Even Here Railmen Are Not
Optimistic Over Outlook.
Other Items Of General Interest
in the Traffic World.

Chicago Oct 2S.-No improV ement
was shown in the traffic of the west
ern railroads during the past week,
and even a smaller volume of business
was carried than during similar per
iod for the past few years. Traffic Ot-
ficia1s are not inclined to be as optl-
mistie as heretofore, although they
agree that fundamental conditions ire
sound. and that the removal of legisia-
tive and political factors would soon
bring about q more active state of gem
eral business and a restoration of con-
fidence, which would soon be reflected
in the revenues OF the railroads and
other large corporations.
Sentiment among business interests
in the northwest, southwest, and west
is of a negative sort. and a waiting
attitude still prevails in all directions.
1t is pointed out however. that. ia
spite of all the adverse factors, there
is enough business in sight to MAIN
tain q fair volume of traffic for the
railroads, and no one is looking for tae
depression in business to fall much De-
low present levels.
There is more general activity III
the southwest than elsewhere, and the
railroads in those sections have been
found to be doing a better business
than in other localities. How long these
conditions Will prevail railroad officials
claim not to know, as they feel that
sooner or later the same factors gov
tIulLS III OtAltl QlIEClioiS VIII prev dill
in their territory. The situation i'll that
section as it relates to the cotton crop
makes business interests there more
cheerful than in sections where tbs
crops We're less bountful.
Banking interests have not changed
their views to any extent during the
past fortnight. Country banks reflect
the abundance of money in the agricul-
tural districts by going to the large
investment centers in search Of suit
able securities with which to employ
IDLE funds. Indications of buying OF
ths sort are showing in a little more
activity in the bond market which 5
supplemented by a better inquiry from
both large and small individual inVes-
tors
The buying of staple goods for i'm
mediate consumption continues to be
a feature of the mercantile trade This
IS especially true in dry goods. cloth
ing. and shoes. This demand however.
is not sufficient to bring manufacturers
to the belief that the time is ripe for
increasing stocks for future consunl1-
ton.
The Sing factor of the western
iron and steel trade, notably the struc-
tural building department. has shown
signs OF slaekening activity within the
past week. and new orders have nor
been given as freely as in former
weeks Other departments were with
out noteworthy feature. The railroads
have not come to the front for future
requirements, rs was expected, as a
result of the recent activity in that
daDartment
While traffic in most lines Of business
was not satisfactory to railroad Off
ciais. the movement Of grain was above
the five year average, increasing $50
600 bushels over that period. or 6 ner
cent. As compared with the previous
week there was an increase of ". 0a0
bushels, While. as compared with last
bushels. or sc per cent. Regents 81
wheat decreased 10000 bushels for the
week, but increased 50. 600 bushels over
last year The high price of corn
brought out large offerings from the
country. and receipts increased sos nn0
bushels. but were $4,000 bushels less