The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-09
TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Business Improving, But Not Up to the Ex-
peetation-Everybody, However. Hopeful.
INDIANAPoLIs. Feb. 2.
The general tenor of the remarks of business
men is that they can see some improvement in
trade, still the volume is not up to their expecta
tons with the coming of the new year, yet all
are hopeful and strong in their belief that better
times are near at hand. The better movement
of grain and other staple productions is bringing
more money into this section, and it is believed
that this will put new life into trade. Locally,
the merchandise markets are devoid of anything
important today. For choice butter and strict
ly fresh eggs there is a fair demand, and poul-
try, both live and dressed, is in scant supply and
steady at our quotations. Some dealers report
gate an improved jobbing demand for potatoes,
and quote prices frmer, but now that the wealth
er has moderated, increased receipts are looked
Tor. Sugars continue slow, and prices are weak
but unchanged. Advices from New York report
myers OF coffee there on a basis of 9Ic
SIR fair. Ut with light offerings held high
or. The latest Rio reports are of a stirn-
ulating character. The hog products con-
tinue fairly active and steady at prices quoted.
rhe stock of provisions on hand in T,eaco
Feb ], as compared with the sa. & day last year,
was; Pork o,Slo t@~rreis, against Isl, 047
barrels, lard 1888 %tierces, against
sounds sound against p, $40, $3.50 pounds. In
commenting on the bsiness situation the In
dianapolis Grocer says: The weather bureau
must answer for many of the dull days which
ushered in, followed up and bowed out the month
of January. From all centers of trade the men
ut the lookout have wired across the continent
unhattering tales of the distribution of mer
chandise and the gathering Of cash. There con
tinues a fair amount of fault-finding, a moderate
n n~A n ~nnH dnat ~ the
right sort of talk. out of which there will come,
In time, a welIFounded period OF Improvement
The iobber has shown much patience and
used rare Judgment throughout the most try
ing days of the many which make up this
bleak stretch of depression, by his helpfulness
many of the honest dealers with limited means
have been aided temporarily and placed upon.
their feet; a slight blow would have extinguished
them. The extended ha~a mes more than Is
ever known; but it is by this alone that hundreds
of failures in Indiana have been averted, and the
discouraged debtor been given a new heart for
his work. There is a ripple in some of the waste
places which points to the making of a better
trade and more reasonable profits, but a spring
boom is happily not probable. AS long as
merchants adhere to the policy of non specula-
tion, and live closely to the rule of extreme econ
omy in all Things. the change for the better must
continue developing until complete restoration Is
accomplished. Goods arc still cheap. That
they win decline further is in doubt; that they
VIII improve Is almost certain"
GRAIN.
The local market was in stronger position to
y day than for some days past, and dealers bid
with considerable animation. TIL Board OF
Trade Price Current says Of wheat: A generally
firm feeling is noticed for all cash deliveries
Sellers and receipts are few and light. Miller'
fair buyers at quotations, but they want choics
grades. Futures show some buyers but nothing
offered. We quote:
10. Mediterranean o. 60
No. 3 Mediterranean o. b5
40. 2 red, o. %