The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-09-29
NOT SO FLATTERING
MERCANTILE AGENCIES FIND A
DECIDED CHECK TO BUSINESS.
DiscOuraging Conditions at
Leading Trade Centers.

NEW YORK, Sept. 2S.-R. G.. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade, which issues
tomorrow, will say: Special inquiry has
been made this week at all commercial CEN
tiers regarding the state of retail trade.
Wide diversity appears in different trades.
The main facts disclosed are marked i'm
| provement within the past month and a
considerable excess over the business done
a year ago, particularly in the necessaries
of life. but it appears that the volume of
trade at present is, on the whole, consider
ably less than in a normal year at most
points, and in the more important trades is
apparently about 20 per cent. smaller than
in September 1892. Evidence of continued
Improvement in wholesale trade and man
ufactures does not appear this week. There
is large distribution on orders given some
time ago. but new business going to the
manufacturers is everywhere slackening.
The completion Of orders for replenishment
of stocks leaves a moreover demand and it
is yet too early for consumption to provide
further orders. The depression in prices of
farm products will have some influence,
| Unprecedented records have been made in
| cotton and wheat, though as to wheat only
in contracts for future delivery, in which
the prices are the lowest ever made. The
1 dHd SlOChS II ABOUT lo,VOO,Ut DuSnelS
greater than a year ago. and Western re-
ceipts for the week were 5,252. 71e bushels,
against 6,191.0s4 bushels last year. and since
Aug. l, 5l,OO0,OO bushels, against $4,000. 600
bushels last year. The Atlantic exports for
! the week and since Aug. 1 have been about
a third smaller than last year, but the fall
in prices during the week has been LIS
| cents.
Cotton on the spot is lower, at 6.4i cents,
than at any other time since 1919, and quo
tations then did not mean what they do
now, while the nearest option has been
quoted at 6.N cents. which is below all
previous records. Even at the close the fall
for the week is nc. An estimate of
100000 bales. minimum. this year, has in
fuenced the market. but would receive less
All agree that this crop Is likely to exceed
the worlds requirements of American cot
ton. 1t is encouraging that the speculation
3 cents, less gloomy estimates than those of
the departments having gained general ere
dence. 1t is now supposed that the yield is
not far from 1,5Oo, 0OJ, 600 bushels. which will
compel much economy in feeding. but spec
uiation in pork has also broken and the
price mas fallen 20 CENTS, while lard has de-
clined 12c.
The iron industry shows a shrinkage of
demand and the prices quoted to-day are
but little above the lowest this year. Besse-
mer pig is weaker at S11. at Pittsburg, with
an impression that excess of production
must cause further decline unless lower
prices are made for steel rails. Billets.
structural forms and nails are a shade
weaker and in Eastern markets competi-
" VI WOIhS ~. get business tends TO de-
stroy profits. There is more business at
the West, and Chicago reports a good de-
mand for sheets, for bar in small lots and
Tor coke pig, though plates and boiler tubes
are weaker. The boot and shoe manufacture
continues TO lead others In comparative
activity and shipments from Boston for
the month have been 33S, O97 cases, against
222,623 last year and 32S, 1O6 in 1892.
Failures are few and small for the week.
the Liabilities amounting to s5.27S. 2S5. of
which $3.50, 3l3 were of manufacturing and
S~2,5l5,112 of trading concerns. The failures
curing the week have been 2s5 in the United
Canada, against 80 last year.
Bradstrect's Weekly Review.
NEW YORK. Sept. 2S.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: The feature of general
trade throughout the country is found in
moderate reactions within the week, more
particularly in the volume of purchases of
staples West, where trade has been quite
active and at Eastern points in the course
of prices. The week fails to snow any
upward movement of note in this line and
in the check to business South, together
with damage 10 the rice and orange crops.
Leading jobbers at distributing points.
which for a month past have reported rela-
lively most favorabiy concerning the course
OF the business-Baltimore, st. Louis, Nash
vile and Chicago-send modified advices as
to activity and the bright outlook. Wheat
has made another lower price" and Indian
corn and oats have both declined. Sugar
and coffee record lower figures. and an
otner lowest price for cotton has had an
unfavorable influence on the tone of busi-
ness at important Southern markets., par
tlcularly in view of activity of receipts of
that staple. Bessemer pig iron sales show
a loss of &c. and steel billets almost as
much. Standard brands of forge iron West
and South. show like depressions. and the
trade admits production has exceeded con-
sumption; The consaicuously irregular
but low at Minneapolis, stiffer at St. Louis
in contrast with advices from Chicago and
elsewhere. Leather is fairly firm, and in
distribution dry goods. shoes. millinery and
notions lead.
Exports of wheat, (and flour as wheao.
this week, have fallen off some. amounting
70 2,552,OJO bushels. against 3,537. 600 bushels
last week and 3.i90,G0 bushels in the week
a wear ago. TWO years ago the total was
4.050,o00 bushels. three years ago. 3.4G5. 900
bushels and four years ago. 1883, 900 bush
els. London wool sales have proved dis
appointing TO those who predicted or an
ticipated heavy purchases for the Amer
lean market and rapid advance in prices.
On this side quotations are off 1 cent.
feeces particularly being weak. There is
a better trade in Territories and Australian.
Distributing of dry goods from Eastern
points has declined on the slackening OF
fall demand. Little confidence is placed by
buyers in the higher prices for cottons
cloths are weaker. Domestic wooden man
ufacturers report an active spresent bust
NESS Dut lttic III SlSul lot spring, with
competition keen between foreign and do
nestle mems wear woolens.
General trade is quiet at Boston in all
lines. but at Baltimore jobbers are adj
vised by travelling statesmen Of a fair BUSH
ness. Philadelphia manufacturers of cotton
and wooden dress goods are well employed.
but orders for dry goods and groceries
have fallen off. At Pittsburg the volume
of business is fair, but prices tend lower.
and there is less request for iron and
steel.
Glad to See Him Home.