Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-05-04
SMALL BUSINESS sE11esmenr.

While some betterment is discernible
in certain branches Of trade, in others
a further moderate recession in activ
ity is manifest. Fundamental condi-
tons are sound and the agricultural
outlook augurs we'll for the future, yet
hesitancy is general in anticipating
forward requirements. Complaints are
still heard especially in the east, Of
the restraining influence IF unsettled
weather, which checks a full retail
distribution Of sea Sonable merchandise
and also hampers outdoor work. Altho
expansion in building operations Is to
be expected at this period of the year
nearly all wholesale lines dependent
upon new construction are at present
quiet. Absence Of any important con-
tracts for structural material has re.
suited in price concessions. and senti-
ment in iron and steel is not improved
Production is being curtailed and mill
forces reduced, the policy Of the rail-
AcdSS III SOAAi1iAiiie pa NaieAS0o W eAAS
closest possible limits constituting the
chief drawback.
Encouraging news is received from
the principal footwear markets, in
which buying has increased. both for
immediate and remote needs. Business
in leather is not uniform, but values
are quite well maintained in sympathy
with the strength in hides, which have
moved more freely than for some time
past. Advances In cotton duck have
been induced by anticipated govern
ment purchases, but the wholesale dry
goods trade Is more conservativefy In.
clined In the matter of future commit
ments. AS a whole, retail distribution
is quieter. owing in part to the ad-
verse weather. Both underwear and
hosiery lines are unusually dull and
knit goods curtailment is becoming
more noticeable. Reports from New
England indicate an active interest in
VOL altho transactions are restricted
because of the limited offerings:
Foreign commerce returns show
large shipments of the staple to this
chandise imports were fully 5000, 900
in excess Of a year ago. whereas ex
ports fell off from about $4,000, 900. In
contrast to the new crop cotton OPP
tions. which displayed considerable
frmness on the backward season in
the belt, wheat receded in value. De-
pression resulted from predictions Of
a record breaking yield. which the
next official estimate is expected to
verify. Thet endency of the other
cereals was also downward, and of the
80 commodity prices compiled by
Dun's Review twenty eight showed de-
clines and seventeen advances last
week.
Sentiment In the financial markets
has improved in response to the more
favorable turn in the Mexican situa-
ton, quotations Of securities recover
ing part Of the recent losses. Buying
of stocks for European account was a
factor in checking the rise in sterling
exchange and, contrary to expecta-
lions, no gold was engaged for export
to Paris. Clearings thru the banks
last week exceeded those of last year,
the gain being 4.s per cent, while gross
earnings Of railroads reporting for
three weeks Of April show a slight in
crease Of OIL per cent as compared
with 1913.
Liabilities Of commercial failures re-
ported for April to date amount to
s1s,365,553, Of which ss.139.05s were in
manufacturing, ss,eo7,625 in trading
and $2,31s,s69 in other commercial
lines. Failures last week numbered
30s in the United States against 293
last year, and fifty-three in Canada
compared with thirty -four a year ago