The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-31

OOC,OVO
Trunk factories ..-...-. $4,000 S5,OOO
Wagon factories and
u shops, .,,;:.-..--.... 21550 81 500 500
All other manufactures 1.212,512 1,G49,5
Total. $19665 1875 $50, $50, 400
In 1884 the value of the raw material used was
81, 500, 600, and the value of the manufactured
product was 1927, 34l. 900. leaving profit, after
the payment of wages and all other expenses, of
$3 l15, O00 In addition to the wages paid this
year, other expenses, including insurance and
repairs, amounted to 81, 756, $50, leaving the
profit from the years operations, So, 121, 745.
The reports from the leading manufacturers
are generally encouraging '"There has been an
increase" said Mr.. Hugh Hannah, manager of
the Atlas engine works, to Journal reporter
"of about 80 per cent. in the volume of our trade
during the last year. We have sold on close
year, and have employed about three hundred
men, the same number as last year, and have
paid the same wages"
"Do you expect better trade in the near fu-
ture9"
II expect no boom, but regard the outlook as
very favorable for good steady business"
do you think there will be any advance in
prices9"
81 do not expect any great advance"
Haugh, Ketcham, & Co. report that they have
done very satisfactory business in volume, but
the margins have been small 1--WE think" they
state, that the outlook for the future is very
fair We are not prophets nor the sons of
prophets. and do not care to make any predic-
tons. The unusual demand for steel rails and
the recent advance in price, is very good iudi-
cation of an improvement in business. We
do not expect much of an advance in
prices in our branch of trade Manufactures
that have been idle will probably now resume
operations, and the increased activity of compe-
tition will keep prices down. The present up
ward tendency, however will create more act
i've demand Such is the history of commercial
currents. 1t is a popularity Of human nature
TO begin to buy when prices begin to advance
On the whole, the present outlook for the future
is encouraging"
vember their trade was very much larger than
during the same month Of 1884, and has been
very brisk during December. II suppose" said
the manager of the works, there has been an
increase of fully 20 per cent in our bust
ness. On the whole I may safely say
that it has been $3.50, 900 larger than in 1884.
Prices have been unusually low, and, in conse-
quence, there has been more buying. The next
years trade with US will depend largely on the
wheat crop. IL it turns out we'll there will be
a demand for milling machinery, but if badly
trade will doubtless be light. l regard the in
dications now, however, as very favorable l
do not expect much of an advance in prices
There is too much competition. If there were
fewer manufactures prices would be better and
trade more profitable
The trade of the Eagle Machine Works was
not good in volume as in 1884. They expect
business, however, to be much better next year
cause a greater demand for machinery in their
line.
Mr.. Davis of the firm of Sinker, Davis & Co.,
states that their shops have done much more
satisfactory business than in 1884. They have
been in operation throughout the year, and have
had more work than they could do during part
of the time. They regard the prospects for the
future as very bright.
Frederick Smith. secretary Of the Indianapolis
Manufacturers and Carpenters Union, says that
in the lumber trade the volume of business dur
ing the last year has been s or 9 per cent. below
1884 but the prices have been very much better.
1.-THE prices this year he said. "have been well
sustained through our association. Lastyear we
were all cutting each others threats, and in con
sequence of this competition, profits were very
small The profits this year have fully made up
the difference caused by the decrease in the vol
ume of trade. The indications are that we will
have very much better trade next year. There
is a tendency to buy better grade of lumber
and to build better houses, while the present
indications are that there will be much more
building during the next year than there has
been for some time"
will this cause an advance in the price of
luniber2"
~ do not think there will be any advance
although that is matter / cannot we'll foretel
as prices in this business are likely to take a
sudden rise or fall at any time. There is not
likely to be any decline, because the supply Of
lumber on hand will not be increased, as it is
the intention to cut no more in Michigan for
some Time"
Mr.. Coburn, of the FIRM of Coburn & Jones,
says that their lumber trade has been better this
year by or 10 per cent. both in volume and
profits, than in 1884 and he expects very much
better business during the coming year. "Prices
have advanced" he says, lat the lake, and have
not here l should not be surprised if there
should be rise of from 81 to $1.50 here very
soon--at least, before spring"
The flour trade during the last year has not
been as satisfactory as in 1884 1--WE have had
to compete, says d. A. Richardson. the miller,
"with seaboard prices. When wheat was selling
for 81 cents in New York we were paying SO cents
here, and there has been comparatively little diff
ference most of the time between the market
price here and in Liverpool. In consequence,
there has been no foreign market for -four man
ufactured here and the export trade has been
light. We have bad a good demand in the
South. however, and have been able to keep run
ming"
DO you expect any improvement in the trade
during the next yearW
1.-THE darkest hour is before dawn"
"For a short time after the harvest" says
Charles W. Blackmore, the -four commission
merchant, "the -four trade was flush, but since
the LIST of October, it has been dull. The profits
have been light during the year but conserva-
tive business has been done. Where millers had
no demand" he added, 'they did light bust
ness or stopped entirely. Mills running on full
time can make an overproduction in ten days or
two weeks. The cause of the dullness in the
trade is. that there is no export demand. The
crops on the other side are fair, and the prices
here have been manipulated in way that has
had depressing effect ON the markets. / think
there will be better demand after the LIST of
February, although prices will not be any
higher. The South has an ample supply now,
but not enough to carry it through the year, and
it will, think. have to begin buying about the
LIST of February"
The indianapolis rolling mills have been idle
for more than two years, and there is little prob
ability that they will resume work soon. at is
my %, opinion. says John Thomas the president