The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-30
Retail business Now Being SOrely
Tested by General Conditions

Retail business Now Being SOreIy
Tested by General Conditions.
NEW YORK, Oct. Or. G. Dun & Co.'s
weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
The testing of retail trade is in progress,
but results are remarkably retarded by
long continued mild weather and also by
the fever in Southern districts. Even from
that quarter some large orders lately re
ceived show better distribution than was
yet expected In spite of unseasonably
warm weather, which greatly hinGers retail
dealings in winter goods, at all points east
of the plains, the large number of supple
mentary orders with urgent pressure for
quick delivery make it clear that the sales
in many branches have exceeded the ex-
pectation of dealers, so that replenishment
of stocks is not yet finished. Meanwhile,
wholesale trade and orders to manufacture
ers have been smaller than when the rush
was greatest, but have nevertheless been
large for this stage even in a year of gen.
eral prosperity, for the payments through
the principal clearing houses have for the
week been 3.9 per cent. larger than in the
same week of 1892 and for the month 81
per cent. Heavy engagements for outgoing
wheat covering 100000 bushels this week,
affect monetary prospects, but still more
the produce markets, for the Atlantic ex-
ports are large already, 3S64.649 bushels
Giour included), against 2,344,S44 for the
week last year, ana in four weeks 8 1904, 557,
against $751; 5S last year. Western receipts
are not quite equal to last years for the
week, but have been 27,969.28S bushels for
four weeks. against 2S 756,644 last year.
actually selling above 81 here, while specu-
lation at st. Louis is pushing prices yet
higher. The possibility that foreign ex-
ports may be checked is not to be over
looked, but the heavy engagements. besides
exports for four months past. prove that
foreign needs are real and large. The corn
movement was smaller, though exports fell
only 100000 bushels below last year, and the
price advanced but slightly.
The fall OF cotton TO . cents for spot and
9S cents for January, making the price the
lowest since March IA, 1895, and not half a
cent above the lowest for nearly half
century, is partly due to embarrassments
caused by the fever but also indicates the
prevailing belief that the quantity to come
forward is large. For two months more
cotton has come into sight than from the
greatest crop ever grown. in spite of delays
caused by quarantine, but the unfavorabie
conditions about the time of maturity rem
der 1t less likely than usual tnat the top CT op
will be satisfactory so that receipts may
drop off earlier than usual. On the other
hand, it is to be noted that extensive labor
troubles threaten the manufacturer in Eng
land, while the lowest price ever known
here for print cloths reflects heavy accu-
increase in production by the mills has
been over 40 per cent. in ten years, far be-
yond the increase in population, and they
consumed almost as much cotton in the
last crop year with materially diminished
demand for goods, as in the most prosper
Gus year heretofore.
Wool markets have become quiet. Instead
of il. 100000 pounds, reported sold in Boston
in the last week of September, 1900 900 the
next week. $780, 600 the second week of Oc-
tober, and COO the third week sales
have been but 2.710,00O and at three chief
markets 5,231, 300, making the aggregate for
the month &c. COO pounds against over
66,000 coo pounds in September Prices are
said to be we'll maintained, though 2 to 3
cents below former asking prices but oc-
casional heavy sales indicate concessions
for liquidation of speculative lots. The
market for goods is not active as prices
have been so far adcvanced as to hinder
buying, in many cases Intentionally, until
the future is more clear and the mills have
ahead quite as large contracts as they Just
now desire.
The buying of iron and steel products
though smaller than of late, continues to
keep works we'll engaged ahead and induces
others to resume operations. Both BUYERS
and manufacturers find it prudent to limit
engagements ahead, and the period of ad-
justment will make the industry safer for
some time to come. There is good pressure
for speedy deliveries, but in bars and wire
some abatement of demand Will slightly
lower prices for nails. Tin is a little
weaker and copper at II cents for lake and
competition of home producers lowers tin
plates to $40. The coke output is larger
1495 $50 tons weekly, but anthracite coal is
weaker. being offered here at $4.O5, against
SAB named in circular.
Failures for the week have been 210 in the
United States. against 270 last year and 25
in Canada, against 40 last year.