The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-04
THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK.
How Meridian-Street Men Regard the Pros
poets for Spring Trade.

Yesterday afternoon Journal reporter called
upon a number of Meridian-street wholesalers,
and here presents their views of the business
outlook. Meridian street is very conservative,
and not man of the number interviewed at
tempted to boom. 1t is the solidest thorough
fare of its length in the United States and there
is not jobbing house on the street, however
light its capacity, but has good credit record
summary of the interviews is as follows
Mr. Krag, of Schn!~%l, q Krag, wholesale gro
GERS; Trade, of course, depends largely upon ia
yoring weather and good outlook for crops.
Good crops, especially, mean good business. The
feeling in trade circles is now healthy and conf
dent, people being disposed to take cheerful
view Of the future. Early in the year there was
quite a number of small failures in the retail
| trade, and for time business looked squally.
But people were more frightened than hurt
When the final count was made they did not
show up very heavily, and, though numerous,
were rather light. indianapolis is one of the
most conservative business communities in the
United States, and is so conceded to be on all
hands. There is a pleasant feeling of security
here, and business men elsewhere have conf
dence in the business system of indianapolis as
represented by the merchants of Meridian
street.
Augustus Kiefer, wholesale druggist: The
first part of this year is not up to last year If
the coming wheat crop is a bountiful one we
shall undoubtedly have large business i'll the
fall. That is common sense and a very safe
prediction, but you needn't quote me as
prophet.
MIR. Byram, of Byram, Cornelius & Co., whole
sale dry goods: The outlook is favorable,
though at present business is not quite up to what
it was at this time last year AS to a large trade
later on, every thing depends altogether upon the
wheat crop. l think that crop will be good this
year. 1t is not to be supposed that it will be
bad three years in succession, as that is against
tba rf11a thOo AGAINST is hat
sumption does not keep up with production.
Too many goods are being manufactured for the
amount used. That state of affairs is because of
bad crops. If crops were good, and people had
plenty of money, they would spend it. There
was great fall of snow this winter and good
crops usually follow such a condition.
Mr.. Daggett, of VIM. Daggett & Co, whole
sale confectioners: We think trade is improving
greatly. The prospects in the last two weeks
have frightened in the country. People are
hopeful, and that is in itself the forerunner of
better trade.
Mr.. Hollweg. of Hollweg. & Reese wholesale
queensware / do not look for any heavy trade
in our line Our trade has been very good, but
/ hardly think it will continue more than moder-
ate. / certainly look for no increase
Mr.. Smith of Mooney Taylor & Smith, leath-
er and betting Nearly all kinds of hemlock
leather sole leather) have advanced in price
from 10 to Is per cent Other grades, while
making no special advance, are very firm, with
prospect of an early rise. We are not looking
for any material change in trade until definite
assurance is had of another crop We deal with
harness makers and shoemakers, who depend
upon agricultural people, and everything with
them depends upon crops 1t is too early to
make any forecast We do not think
that booming prices will make
boom in trade. The principal influence in re
gard to the advance in the price of leather is
that for sometime past leather of all kinds has
been sold below the cost of production. We
have nothing to complain Of in either trade or
collections, however.
Fahnley & McCrea, wholesale millinery We
| think the signs are good for big spring trade.
We have had fine trade so far, and itcontinues
to improve. The people in the country appear
to feel like buying, and few days of sunshine
will make our trade decidedly good.
| Mr.. Gordon, of Gordon, Kurtz & Co., saddlery
hardware: We think the prospects for trade are
fair, though not quite as good as this time last
year If we have good crop outlook trade will
| be great deal better than last year. Campaign
years are by some merchants considered bad
years for business. / do not think them bad
years. L think they help business. People
move about filled with enthusiasm; they go to
| rallies and spend money.
| Mr. Mckee, of Mckee & Brannam: look for
moderate years business; probably more con-
servative and safer than heretofore. With the
| careful wedding out of doubtful trade that has
been going for the past few months. if we
| should have a good harvest this summer, the
| general conditions of trade will be better than
| for years past. What business we now have is
of better character than usual. Close scrutiny
of credits has made that character of trade more
reliable. All we now want is a good harvest.
Former, Floyd & Co.: 1t does not look en-
couraging to us for the season. and everything in
| the future depends on the crops. If we have a
| good wheat harvest the fall trade will be large.
| We have had winter that has been favorable to
wheat, and if the promise is fulfilled, trade will
be as good in the fall anybody need desire.
| Mr. King of King & Elder, furniture From
the way it is now picking up we think we will
| have a very fair spring trade The smallpox
scare, of which altogether too much was made,
| is now entirely over and many who kept away
| from the city are now coming in The feeling IS
| that we will have a demand for good material
| and that trade that has been backward on ac-
| count of bad weather and the other reason l as
| signed, will come in. 1t is, however, a little
early to make a prophecy TO cover the entire
| year.
| sale iron We think trade is brighter than it
| promised to be a month ago, but do not think
the volume of trade will be as large as last year
| Mr.. Fugate, of Hildebrand & Fugate, whole
| sale hardware: | think prospects are good for a
fair trade. We have had a sharp, brisk business
for two or three weeks. We expect good trade
hereafter if the crops are good The scarcity of
money with the farmer prevents larger trade
now He has had two bad years; If he has
another it will be much worse. My informa-
| ton, gained from merchants and others from the
| country districts, is that wheat is very promis-
| ing. Meridian street is cautious. This street
| does not shove out a big lot of goods to people
who don't pay, but is more cautious than the
wholesalers of other cities.
| A. Burdsal, paints, oils and window glass For
| the last two weeks our business has been ex-
ceedingly good. l think it sign of business
health when goods of the line I deal in are in
brisk demand. 1t is an index of the material
prosperity of the country. 1t is early to predict
| what business will be this season and the re
mainder of the year Wait till good wheat
crop is assured.
The Councils Special Meeting.
A special meeting of the Council will be held