The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-27
INDIANAPOLIS MARKETS.
Business Men Hopeful-A Material Improve
ment Noticeable.


ment Noticeable.
Indianapolis, May &c.
The material improvement in the labor situa-
ton has given decidedly more cheerful feeling
in business circles and there is a strong hope
that the year may be somewhat rescued
from the depression that has heretofore threat
ened It, Some branches of business which had
. very favorable prospect three months ago
have experienced such blight that recovery is
not expected; other branches dealing in the nee
essaries of life and the more prosaic staples
have not been so deeply affected and have en-
joyed considerable distribution of goods and
now anticipate large business. The building
trades have been most sharply affected 1t is
calculated from reports to Bradstreet's that
work has been stopped new buildings to the
value of $50, 900, 600 in principal cities of the
country. If the labor market becomes tranquil,
probably half of these plans may be resumed
but employers will be cautious of placing them
selves in situations where their help may
have them at disadvantage. Groeers speak
of trade as being little off this week. Prices
however, are steady and strong on nearly all
staples. There is uncertainty brooding over the
sugar market Notwithstanding the frmness in
prices
Refined sugar is now lower than before the
strike in the Brooklyn refneries, and even at
the decline the absorption of stocks has been
laDRulO anu ulSdDpOl0tlUg, NOTWITHSTANDING that
production has not materially increased. Rev SUI
gar has likewise been depressed, with values grad
ually drifting downward. The deliveries at the
four ports since Jan. show falling off OF g.
234 tons in comparison with last year, and of
this quantity 49, 19l tons represents the decrease
in home consumption, and "a, DAB tons the de-
ficiency In exports. OF course this loss is not
likely to be recovered now, and when taken in
connsction with the material falling off that is
shown in Europe, TO some extent neutralizes
~ 4xnn
crops and increased consumption upon
which the speculative movement in Europe
last winter was based The most active months
for the sugar trade are near at hand. but pres
ent indications point to cheap sugar for the next
few months at least The coffee market is en-
tirely under speculative influences and for this
reason the situation Is artificial and not alto
gether promising. Prices have been advanced
and dealers increased their stocks, but the dis
tributive movement has not improved, and with
out a free outlet, an apparently strong market
lacks one OF the most essential elements of sub
stantial support. Speculation can force an adj
vance in prices, but it cannot force even con
troll consumption, and is subservient to the laws
of supply and demand. Tea continues dull and
featureless the near approach of new crop sup
plies begets desire to get quit of old stock and
hence some pressure to SELL The produce mar
kets show good deal Of activity, but there is
such an abundance it is very difficult for COM
mission naen to maintain even respectable prices;
none expect to get prices high enough TO meet
the views of the shippers.
GRAIN
The local market is fat There is some de-
mand for choice milling wheat. and, with light
arrivals, corn is readily disposed of at our quo
tatons, but to an outsider it looks as if there
were ten sellers to one buyer. Prices to-day
ranged as follows:
Wheat-No red--.---. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 6
No. 3 red. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10
Corn-No. white. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 80