The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-23
TRADE AND COMMERCE.
The Outlook Gradually ImprOving-COuntry
Merchants Gaining In Confidence.
IArr,r -.

The Outlook Gradually ImprOving-Country
Merchants Gaining In Confidence.
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. %.
The week ending to-day has showed decided
increase in the volume of trade over the preced-
ing weeks of this month, and merchants speak
of the outlook as being more encouraging. Coun-
try merchants are paying their bills more prompt
ly. Confidence is gradually being restored, and
a better feeling generally obtains It is no ex-
aggeration to say that the situation is one of
well-nigh universal expectancy. If the outlook
be analysed little is found in it to cause nervous
ness, and much to justify hope that the coming
year is to be one of healthful activity. The
past months have accomplished vast amount
of liquidation. Poor credit has been weeded out
in all parts of the country, and business mon
now face each other with much more than aver
age knowledge of each others true resources and
mental calibre 1t may also be said with truth
that the past year has seen an extensive reduc-
ton in supplies of manufactured goods until it is
to be hoped that stocks on hand have reached
point where fresh production is justified by thu
probability of remunerative prices And it is
certain that successful yields of raw materials
and reductions in rates of wages and
rents enable manufacturers to operate
their works on lower bases of outlay than
in the years which led up TO this period of pros
tration. In the money market too, the elements
of gloom are being dispelled The New York
bank statements such to justify the hope
that the foundations of credit are now solid, and
that foreign and domestic capital is ready
in large amounts to take advantage of the first
sign of natural revival of confidence Locally
prices unusually steady, with prospects for
higher rather than lower values. Sugars con-
tinue dull and easy in price, although we make
no change in our quotations which do not cover
more than lay-down cost There is a steady de-
mand here for roasted coffee, but the green bean
is reported dull at the seaboard New crop
molasses is arriving more freely at New Orleans,
and prices are weakening at that point. The
supply here is light but the arrivals are increas-
ing, Nothing new to report in connection with
canned goods, with the exception that peas and
tomatoes are irmer. The depressed condition
of the butter market continues; supply in COM
mission merchants hands large. Fresh eggs are
firm. Poultry in large supply, yet our QUOTA
tons can be readily realized. Beans and dried
fruits neglected. More inquiry for green apples;
no improvement, however, in prices The flour
market is still sluggish. There is no disposition
to press sales as this could not be done without
submitting to further concessions, and receivers
and millers believe that prices now unreason-
ably low and resist furthur concessions. Flour
is even lower than last week, because freightS
have advanced without a corresponding advances
in prices, and another advance in freights is
looked for before many weeks. If the trade arc
not willing to stock up at presentlow prices with
higher freghts in prospect the only alternative
is for millers to stop production.
GRAIN.
Weakness is still a characteristic of the local
market. Dealers show no interest in wheat
Corn is in fair demand, but prices range weak
oats steady at quotations. Bids on Change
ranged as follows:
Wheat-No. 1 Mediterranean, no bid No 2
Mediterranean nominal No Mediterranean,
no bid;sNo. red, 72c; No 3 red, Coo; November,
no bid; December, no bid.
Corn-No, ? white, 36c; high mixed 36lc;
mixed, 364c; rejected new, 36c sound ear, new,
Soc; No 3, no bid; understandable, 35c
Oats-No. white, Csc, 0. t; mixed, 2G!c; re-
jected, no bid.
Bran-$l0.
Rye--50c
Hay-Prime timothy 50, 50