The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-03
DUN g. CO.'S BUSINESS REVIEW.
Actual Business L. In Satisfactory Condition
but the Future L. Cloudy.

Actual Business Il In Satisfactory Condition,
but the Future Is Cloudy.
NEW YORK, March 2-Following is r. G.
Dun & Co. q review of trade for the week end
ing March g. Actual business Is satisfactory for
the season. Prospects are confused and uncer-
tain; IN some directions promising, but in other
branches of large Importance decidedly clouded.
The passage by the House of the bill author
iz:ng bond purchases was designed to remove
the monetary uncertainty. an influence which
AFFECTS all trade and industry. Whether the
Senate will pass the bill in it's present form is
not yet certain. and Secretary Fairchilds report
makes 1t questionable whether the measure. if
passed, would improve, or would prove an ade-
Quate reliance for prevention of treasury alb
sSorDtion of money. But many think ir will
give full relief, and that impression gave hope
funess TO the stock market for one day. Lower
prices Immediately followed, however and the
average decline for the week has been about ST.
per share.
The Western railroad wars and strikes con-
tinue to disturb business. Because of cuts by
Canadian lines the Eastern trunk roads an
nounce reduction of 10 per cent. on east and
West-bound rates, March 5, and efforts to settle
the Western war we're defeated Thursday.
by the st. Paul Only partial 1pvival of traffic
on the Burlington 81 Quincy has been attained;
at prevailing rates business is not so profitable
that the company is impatient While earn
1ngS OF railroads continue TO show that large
quantity of freight for the season is in motion.
the rates are dropping. aud expenses many
lines increasing, the Pennsylvania advancing
wages on Western lines 10 per cent
An important cause of uncertainty in many
branches of trade is the movement to change
the tariff Whether the proposed changes are
deemed desirable or not. those who think them
probable are. for that reason, moved to defer
business operations. The bill submitted on
thursday would affect SO many industries and
branches of trade that individual opinions ia
vorable or unfavorable to it, must considerably
influence transactions while it remains pending
1t comes at a time when, for other reasons,
there Is hesitation In most of the branches chief
ly concerned, and increases the hesitation
lt Ia characteristics of many trades, at pres
ent, that purchases and operations are for one
reason or another. limited to present necessities
In the boot and shoe trade, which is otherwise
exceptionally satisfactory, there are some such
indications as to womens and children's goods:
In cottons the recent signs of hating may be At
tributed to unusually large dealings In the past
In sugar, and numerous other trades, the opera
lions OF trusts or combinations cause uncertain
ty. The coal business, since strikes began to
collapse, has been marked by only hand TO-
mouth dealing, dealers being in doubt as to the
future output
The prices OF wool are steady, with Ohio Xxx
at 32c. and buyers have been operating with
some freedom, but any advance has been re-
sisted, and the effects of the proposal to change
the duties are noticeable. Large failures in the
lumber and salt interests in Michigan following
the remarkable shrinkage in the demand for
iron ore, indicates that the prospect in that re-
gion is not wholly unclouded.
AS elsewhere the iron trade is hesitating, with
somewhat lower prices at Pittsburg, while
Youngstown works have resolved to close unless
better rail rates enable them to meet Southern
In the East the supply increases
while orders halt
No unfavOrable indications appear in reports
OF trade. or OF collections in any part OF the
country. Money is everywhere comparatively
easy, though at Boston and other important
points 1T is felt that revival of business activ-
ity would soon be followed by some pressure
Southern trade Is clearly improving. aud there
are signs of renewed real estate activity at some
Western points. The Treasury has returned by
banks 81. 400. 600 of its deposits during the week.
and in all took in 81. SOC, 900 more cash than it
paid out For the month of February the debt
was $7.756. 900, almost entirely through
increase in cash on hand, though So 900 900 was
paid for surrendered bank notes. and the bank
circulation diminished So, 125, 109 The volume
81 trade. as represented by payments through
clearing is about % per larger than
ast year. outside New York, but with notice.
able losses at Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore
Cincinnati and Kansas City
The business failures occurring throughout
The country during the last seven DAYS numbers
Tor the United States 202 and for Canada ~ or
} total OF IA failures. as compared with total |
# 2I0 last week, and 273 the week previous.
For tbs corresponding week of last year the |
1gures were 2O3 for the United States, aad &c in
canada; total, 300. The casualties reported in |
Canada are still unusually large IN number.