The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-01
THE BUSINESS SITUATION.

| THE BUSINESS SITUATION.
| The showing made by the Journal, yester-
day, of the business of Indianapolis for the
past year was an agreeable surprise to many.
This is particularly true Of the last six
months, which showed marked improvement
over the first half of the year, and in many
directions over the corresponding months cf
| 1884. The general feeling is that the outlook
| is brighter now than it was year ago. The
people have gradually improved their condi-
| ton, are less in debt and less inclined to ask
credit. The conservatism of the past year or
two is having Its natural effect and as a re-
suit, while prices have been lower ard money
| little harder to get trade is healthier and
business in all its branches is safer. The
| immediate future gives promise of improve
ment; prices are frmer, and on some i'm
portant articles there has been an advance
during the latter half of the year. The
most encouraging feature is the fact that
there is no appearance of feverishness
in the increased frmness Of trade.
indianapolis and the country at large, has had
enough of abnormal activity only to be fol-
lowed by the inevitable relapse. No man en-
gagged in legitimate business, or dependent
| upon his labor, wants a return Of the days
when fortunes were made in a day. 1t has
been demonstrated that fortunes are not
| made in day, or year, without CORE
| spending loss somewhere, either simultane-
ously or Immediately following. Something
cannot be Withdrawn from certain quantity
without leaving hole or lowering the gen
| eral level The days of wildcat speculation
are happily past, and will not return until the
| many thousand victims forget the severe les
son they learned, or q new crop is brought
| forward.
While there is no occasion for a hurrah, for
| there is no boom in that inflated sense, there
is every reason why the croakers should cease,
| and give encouragement to the general
good feeling Recovered from the
stress Of hard times succeeding the
collapse of the real estate boom, there is no
reason why indianapolis should not make
steady advance. Situated in the artery of
traffic, between the two great halves of the
Countrywide East and the West-the capital
of Indiana is in position to lay hold of large
share of the general business, and to easily
take rank with the chief manufacturing cities
of the Union Indianapolis is now on rock
bottom. 1t can be built upon in confidence.
There are no fancy prices here. AS rule,
real estate is worth every dollar asked for it.
There is a sure foundation for any CONNER
cial superstructure that may be wisely
planned. The railway facilities of Indianapo-
lis are unsurpassed. AS distributing point
it commands advantages that are the envy of
less favored cities. There is absolutely no
reason why steady increase Of business
should not be experienced throughout the
year now ushered in. Everybody should
lend cheerful and hearty encouragement
to Indianapolis trade and manufacture. The
railways centering here will find it to their
profit to afford every help and encouragement
to the upbuilding of the citys Industries.
The larger the population and the greater the
product of Indianapolis mills and manufacto-
ries, the greater will be the revenue en-
joyed by the railways from freight and passen-
ger traffic. There is community of inter
ests here that should feel the healthful i'm
pulse of concerted effort The city cannot be
benefited without the immediate result of in
creased railway traffic. The railways are
here and here to stay, and the city must ever
be of Importance to them. What is true of
railways is doubly true of all who own prop
erty. They are interested in seeing the city grow
and prosper The augury made by those in
position best to know about business affairs is
that the new year favors industrial develop
ment and better business. Let no man by
word or act retard the city's advancement.
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