The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-14
BLUE TRADE OUTLOOK
Review of business Condition In the
Weekly reports Of Dun a Co.
and Brrdstreet.

NEW YORK. March 13--R. G.. Dun q
Co.'S weekly review Of trade. which issues
tomorrow. will say: Waiting is sim the
rule. Large hope. but little actual business
explains the strength OF some markets and
the weakness OF others. The feeling that
the spring Of 1896 ought to bring larger bust
ness viii not suffice TO meet the expenses II
larger business do not come. II is especially
noteworthy that prices OF materials have
varied quite differently from prices of man
ufactured products. although in most cases
the advance OF last fan was commenced by
extraordinary uplifting Of prices for mate
riais. Thus cotton is 2.s per cent. higher
than a year ago. but cotton goods average
only lG.7 per cent Wool is but 5.S per cent.
higher than a year ago, but wooden goods
are on the whole about 4 per cent. lower.
Pig iron IS only IL per cent. higher than a
year ago, while finished products Of iron
and steel average IS per cent. higher. These
comparisons are important because they dis
close something of the grave dislocation OF
prices which inadequate consumption and
combinations have produced. The output OF
pig iron March 1 was 1855 tons weekly.
against 1ss.5s9 Feb. l. but the unsold stocks
have risen SO. 16i tons during the past month,
or I1.4A weekly. and the unsold stocks OF
the great steel companies are not Included.
There is reason to believe that actual con-
sumption Is at least 10 per cent. smaller
than the production of pig. and the price OF
Bessemer at Pittsburg has again declined
slightly 10 $le-25. with exceptionally large
sales even below that figure. Prices OF nm
ished products are not ~quotably lower. al
though all markets are weak in tone. The
INDUSTRY IL waiting for a larger demand.
which. il is hoped. may soon come 10 clear
away rhe accumulation of surplus stocks.
OF the minor metals. copper is in moderate
ment In tin at B4c.. while lead is slightly
weaker at S.l5c TIN plates are weak, in
Bessemer &c. 14x3. full weight, are quoted
at 3.l5c. against 3.Sc for similar foreign
brands. Aluminium rolling ingots are now
offered at &c per pound In ton lots. the har-
Messing of fNiagara having already reduced
the cost OF this metal for the world.
Cotton goods sell but slowly. notwithstand-
ing recent reductions in price. and the cnor-
nous accumulation of unsold stocks causes
apprehension in many quarters. In woolens
goods. and fierce Competition affects the
prices of the better grades materially. In
clay worsfeds the manufacture has been so
TAR overdone that stoppage of some most
important works is considered not improba-
bic. The great need of a more effective law
10 prevent undervaluations of imports Is now
by the committee.
Sales of wool at the three chief markets are
the smallest in five years. and for two weeks
have been only 6.6ss.s 900 lbs. OF which 1883. 200
were domestic. against s.si1.5 800 last year. of
in 1882, of which 5.iSo.sco were domestic
Prices are still maintained, with increase in
Australian supplies.
The market for wheat is weaker. with no
better reason than the government report OF
wheat in farmers hands. which is alto
estimate OF a year ago, and yet Is probably
more nearly correct. Western receipts still
exceed last years. and tor two weeks have
IQan 4 ~ 100 hl1CnoIG AGAINST 2 EIE ~ LAT
year. while the Atlantic exports. flour In
cluded. this week a little smaller than a
bushels. against 3.5lo.5is bushels last year.
| Corn Is a shade frmer. without apparent
reason. and cotton maintained a sixteenth.
although the prospect OF yield this year Is
at least as good as it has been at any time
Failures for the week have been <5.slI. 40.
1891 fsa,"s' Man essuef rise we're we're s ssss.s S;z's sssin 81
SIS; 2e6 last year, and trading were S~z,co5.5so.
week ha sos''% been go zoo in the s I'nited i States @e
against 266 last year. and 60 in Canada.
against 81 last year.
Drndstreet's Weekly Review.
NEW YORK, March 13.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: The only conspicuously ia
vorable feature OF the general business sit
uation is the report OF the February gross
railway earnings throughout the country.
Receipts OF 125 companies last month were
larger, with a single exception. than In any
preceding month for more than three years.
the February total for 1896 bsins <4.4sf.0oo
a gain over that total last year OF nearly Ia
per cent. These results are due in part TO
favorable weather conditions, large grain
traffic and the inclusion OF one more bust
ness day. General trade shows no marked
change. Distribution or merchandise is most
active for dry goods. hardware. shoes and
millinery. paints. oils and heavy chemicals,
but have been unsatisfactory Jobbers re-
port spring trade OF a waiting character, due
weather. Collections. with few exceptions
are no better. and I'm many instances less
satisfactory. which tends 10 retari fha
movement of merchandise.
Total exports OF wheat. hcur included as
wheat. from both coasts o. the United States
during six business days ending March IL
amount to :, 401 900 bushels. against 2 s09.0 900
last week, .. 1911 900 bushels in the correspond
ing week last year, 3.25S.0o0 In the second
week of March. 1894. and as compared with
2,SS6.O00 i'm the like week or 103.
Total exports OF Indian corn I'm the same
week amount 10 l.70S.V00 bushels. a little
more than 10ee.o 600 bushels less than I'm the
bushels in the like week last year and with
1,zS.000 bushels in the corresponding week
OF 1894.
Business failures in the United States this
week fully maintain the ratio OF commercial
embarrassments reported OF late. with a total
OF 22 for six business days ending March IL.
compared with go I'm the preceding week. 262
In the corresponding week one year ago, 81
in the second week OF March. 1894. 21 In the
1 corresponding week Of 1895, and with 219 In
the like week OF 1882.