Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-29
1ne BUSINESS Eltlp.

| After natural lull,j the momentum
| of business increases, tho there Is no
repetition of the feverish buying re-
Gently witnessed. Both domestic and
| foreign requirements, Notwithstanding
previous heavy purchases, remain eN-
| tensive. but competitive bidding has
largely subsidei and the general sit
| uation is clearly more wholesome.
Doubts regarding future supplies and
prices cause hesitancy in many quar-
tiers and some buyers who are covered
well ahead noid off in anticipation Of
concessions, yet where needs are press
ing the element of cost is still little
considered and premiums continue ef-
fective if special advantages on ship
ments are possible.
Delivery problems, however, do not
apprecialby lessen, and storms and
floods in some sections have added to
the difficulties of producing ana
transporting interests. Materials and
merchandise in many instances pro-
coed slowly to points Of destination
movements influence prices, which
tend mainly upward, forty-three ad-
vances and nineteen declines appear
ing last week in the list Of 33l whole
sale commodity quotations regularly
compiled by Duns Review. All recos-
S's.1s-S-=-. -~---- -----aE---~ -4-->--.
ly follow, but demands are sustained IL
such volume, and supplies of many
articles are so limited that there is
the high costs do not appear to restrict
consumption in any important degree
is demonstrated by the optimistic re-
ports of retail distribution, and bank
clearings give no indication of reced-
ing business, being 2s.s per cent larger
at centers outside New York than last
year. when they were unequaled for
the period
Reports TO commercial agencies are
Of excellent trade conditions and fore
cast their continuation.
Chicago While conservatism is
more evident. the volume OF new de-
mands continues large Drawbacks
caused by severer weather, coal ana
coke shortage, scarcity Of skilled labor
and Inadequate car service are not
quite so acute as heretofore. Money
ms q hnnnprf Nc =
ton is strong.
Omaha The excellent commercial
conditions that have been prevailing in
this territory are unchecked. Jobbers
in dry goods, groceries. shoes. hard
ware, drugs, etc, continue 10 report a,.
unusually large volume of business
with collections very satisfa ctory. Re-
tailers find trade a little slack, due ell
tirely to inability to secure certain
lines of merchandise. Bank deposits
are heavy, with little demand for
money, and rates are stationary at
per cent.
Minneapolis-Sales last week among
wholesalers and retailers showed a
good increase over the previous week.
and completed invoices show gains in
profits over all former years Orders
from country merchants are heavy,
and a Very satisfactory volume OF
spring business seems certain. Manu-
tacturers are busy, and report a large
amount Of orders on hand for imme6!-
ate and future shipment: building OPP
erations are active, and lumber sales
INCREASING. Collections are good.
Kansas City-Business is reported
very favOrab bic. Dry goods dealers are
Aampered by scarcity of merchandise,
but sales are said to be from % to 40
per cent greater than last year. with
about onehalt Of this increase due 10
higher prices. Buyers are placing or
ders for future delivery much more
readily than usual, and more business
has been booked for fa! shipment than
ever before at this season. This also
largely applies to shoes. leather goods,
clothing and furnishings.