The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-01
BUSINESS is WAITING
SIGNS OF PERMANENT IMPROVE
MENT IN TRADE ARE SLIGHT.
Many Markets Easier, but Demand for
Goods Not Strong Dun & Co.'s
and Bradstreet's Reviews.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31.--R. G. Dun & Co.'s
weekly review OF trade, which issues to-
morrow, will say: Though business is still
waiting there are some signs of definite
Improvement. 1t is now believed that the
first payment for bonds will cause no fur
Their pressure, and the money markets are
easier as respects loans on collateral,
though the difficulty of making commercial
loans still checks operations. But large ma
turtles at the end of the month Of jan
uary have been met more satisfactorily
than was expected, and merchants and
bankers report that the signs promise a
good spring trade. No increase appears as
yet in the demand for the principal prod
ucts, unless for some forms of iron and
STEEL In which good contracts have been
made this week, and uncertainty as to con-
gressional action still affects industries and
commerce, but the increase in inquiry and
the reports of dealers are deemed assur-
ance of large trade coming whenever the
uncertainty is over Signs of Improvement
in the iron and steel business are crafty.
ing. even though they spring from combi-
nations which have raised the price of coke
and allotted the output of lake iron ore.
There is also a better demand for wire
nails, after long stagnation, and also for
sheets. Pig iron is rather weaker, South
ern works competing sharply, while specula-
tive buyers of some months ago are selling
below present furnace prices. but the aver
age for all products is practically I'M
changed. and LA per cent. below the high
est last year. Coke production has again
been cut down 1875 tons in single week.
Minor metals are strengthened a shade by
speculation.
vx,;1rc
ment of production. as goods continue weak
with an output largely exceeding distribu-
ton, though the week has brought consid-
erably more inquiries, and large spring
trade is still hoped for. Woolens prac-
tically unchanged, as each passing week of
open weather diminishes the prospect of
profitable business, while jobbers, clothiers
and retailers have considerable stocks of
heavy goods remaining. Sales of wool at
the three chief markets-9,945,630 pounds
domestic in January, against l3,6O49l5 last
year, have diminished of late. manufacture
ers buying only for present needs.
Wheat has again advanced about &c for
cash, but only 11sc for May, although At
lantic exports are little larger than year
ago. and for four weeks, -four included
have been 8, 403, 165 bushels, against 1872, 5Si
last year. Neither this fact nor the
tinued excess of Western receipts for the
week, 2,3S1. 912 bushels, against l, 26,0l2 last
year, explains an advance for which the
basis or the excuse must be sought in for
eign advance. Cotton is a shade lower than
week ago, Notwithstanding strong argu-
ments by Neil and Others but receipts from
planters go on at nearly the same rate
Spinners' takings fall behind last year. as
before, and the marketing of goods does
not support the brilliant estimates of in
creased consumption this year Exports in
January have been so per cent. less, spin
ners taking 80 per cent. less. and receipts
have been larger, but spinners' takings and
exports both smaller than in 1928 from a
crop of 6, 700 900 Bales.
Failures this week have been 40i in the
United States. against 35i last year, and 70
Ioc