Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-12-28
1hk GUS KISS GELD.

While optimistic sentiments continue
to outstrip actual orders, some Of the
larger lines give evidence OF ouickenins
impulses and favorable factors out
weigh those of an adverse character.
At the moment. final distribution, as
reflected by reports regarding retail
trade IN seasonahle and holiday goods.
attracts most attention.
Cold weather has improved demand
for heavy wearing apparel and in
some parts OF the country particularly
in the interior districts Of the spring
wheat northwest, rush orGers have
benefited jobbers as well rs wholesale
dealers. Stocks. save, perhaps, in the
south. are light, the results Of several
years of sparse buying.
Incidentally. holiday trade, except at
southern points, has moved with a
rush. but the concensus IS that the
seasons buying will run under that OF
lower priced articles, or really useful
rather than ornamental. gifts have re-
ceived most attention. To Eradstreets
mail order houses report record holi-
day business, and on that account the
parcel post service of the government
has been subjected TO a strain.
Except for rush orders 70 fill already
low stocks that have been still further
depleted by sales resulting from cold
weather, jobbers. wholesale dealers
and manufacturers continue to mark
time pending the finishing OF 'inven-
tories. However, the general opinion
is that the turn of the new year will
witness an thrush of orders which will
cause increased employment
Just now there is considerable idle
ness, but 1t is probable hat outside
of southern centers. results in this re-
spect have been rather more favorable
than otherwise. Permission for the
eastern railroads to advance freight
rates an average of per cent, with
the announcement that the lealing
proves the situation as to iron and
steel, increases inquiries and, to some
extent, orders for railway supplies.
without, however, enhancing low prices
for manufactured products. Encour-
Ieging orders are expected after Jan. l,
and al the same time the effects OF the
freight rate decision have extended to
the Pacific northwest where eastern
railroads as we'll as interior yards and
exporters are inquiring for lumber
which line has been subjected to sew
slackness in building and railroad i'm
provements. Low temperatures have
stimulated demand for coal. and in
consequence traffic of western roads
has increased.
Winter wheat, except perhaps in
parts of the eastern growing belt, is
amply protected by snow covering.
Wheat farmers, apparently financially
comfortable, seem more set on higher
prices, and talk of $3.50 bushel, Min
neapolis market. is going the rounds.
Exports of wheat and oats continue
heavy, while cotton for continental
consumption is in larger demand and
other war supplies, such, for instance,
as woolens and clothing, are in heavy
demand, but lack of transport or high
freight rates deter shipments OF many
orders already made up.
Collections are slow in the south,
where trade is depressed with more or
less indecision as to the early part of
next year, but in the cereal producing
regions payments tend to improve. In
the south bills payable are larger than
last year. There is a good deal of
holding back until the holidays axe
lover. Money is easier. Stock market
operations reflect lower prices, prin-
icipally because of foreign liquidation
actual or prospective.