The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-18
DUNs& co.'s BUSINESS REVIEW.
The Situation Shows No Changes, but the
Causes of Depression Begin to Appear.

Causes of Depression Begin to Appear.
NEW YORK, Feb. I7-R. G. Dun & Co., in
their weekly review of trade, says: 1T cannot
be said that business has changed for better or
during the past eek Causes of recent
dullness and OF depression in the markets be.
come more clearly visible, severe weather, pro-
:onged strikes, and reaction from the last years
overhopefulness being prominent. The effects
of speculation based on hopes of foreign war are
made plain by preliminary figures of January
in breadstuffs. 81, 500, 600 in cotton
81 300. 900 provisions. and $500 900 in oil, com
expected to appear IN minor items, and partial
returns for February show a better movement.
The markets continue unusually stagnant, and
prices vary but little on the whole. The aver
age price of stocks has not changed half of
per cent. since the year opened The general
average of commodities is less than eighth of
per cent. lower than Jan. 1 or higher than
Feb. /. the natural advance OF the season in
some products being balanced by lower
prices in most of the commercial
reaction in wheat, 10 000 900 bushels less having
gone out in seven months this year than last
year. Atdats about So 600 600 bushels remain for
whereas last years exports after this date were
56. 00U. 900 bushels. The general reduction in
elevator rates is expected to help trading and to
benefit producers.
Pork products have neither advanced nor
yielded, though hogs lower. OIL has de-
clined Ito, and sugar from 404c. The opera
lions OF Inc trust loa0 some 10 favor lower
duties. The recent increase in confidence in tea
has been lost. and coffee options pressed for
sale Butter is firmer for good grades. but there
is no change in cheese. the dry goods market
shows great strength in cottons, though prices
of many qualities are already high enough for
cent further advance in raw cotton, and there is
talk of further advance. The demand for
woolens continues moderate, though better than
it was; and WOOL is firm, but buyers are still uu-
usually cautious.
Tho consumption Of pig-iron last year
adadG tong Inf nj DOM ia
aud foreign. over g. 1000 TONS but the shrink
age of 10000 tons weekly in production barely
keeps prices STEADY, and in bar-iron a cut by
large Western establish ent reflects the shrink.
age In demand. Prices are now ST. 80 lower
than year ago for pig, So for bar, So TO 81 for
plates. and 81 for rails. Added to the light de-
mand, . cause of weakness, there is the
statement that the committee tariff bill will re-
duce the duties on ore to SOC, on pig to "a. so.
and on rails to $ll
At St Louis. Kansas City and some other
Western towns lower rates have caused q con-
slider able increase in business activity, but at
most points tradssis reported quiet or dull. with
unfavorable weather and impracticable roads
commonly assigned as the cause throughout the
West and Southwest In the Southeastern
States business opens with bright prospects,
The business failures during the last seven
days number, for the United States, 236; for
Canada, 81; total 273, as compared with 2S9
last week, and 267 for the corresponding week
last year.