The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-20

NEW YORK, Aug 19.-Bradstreet's re-
pert tomorrow will say: Perhaps the most
interesting feature of the general business
situation at present is the air of confidence
with which the mercantile community
av ats the approach Of the fall trade PEE
rod While of course based in some degree
on the favorable results already achieved in
many lines. it is unquestonably true that
the fattering crop outlook at home and the
return of peace, with the expectation OF
benefits to our export trade naturally ex-
pected to accrue therefrom, make for much
of the feeling thus expressed. The reports
as to collections are very encouraging.
From winter wheat sections especially re-
ports are very good. Some slowness is noted
in payments at the Northwest but this is
expected to disappear when the spring
wheat crop moves Business failures are
larger in number than last week. aggregate
ing 1875, against 157 last week, but compared
with 2H in this week year ago, 264 in 1896,
1872 in 1895 and 251 in 1894.
Buyers are appearing in increasing num-
bers at leading Western markets Chicago
reports increased activity in distributlve
trade country demand, with dry goods
shipments especially large Sales of iron
and steel are restricted by inability to de-
liver The short pack of canned salmon
lids duNdHCeQ pI1cSS. southern ana west
ern buyers are arriving at st. Louis, and
dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps
are all active. Advances in structural iron
are behind on orders. Kansas City, ST. Paul,
Omaha and Minneapolis report active trade.
East of the Mississippi and north of the
Ohio river in the West reports of trade are
not so fiattering, but a steady business is
reported doing, with some slight inn
Memphis the outlook is for the heaviest
business in the history of the city, but dam
age by cotton worms in Texas affects trade
at Galveston. In the South Atlantic cities
reports arc of a perceptibe Improvement.
On the Pacific coast, while business is quiet
in California, large crops in Oregon and
Washington are expected to make fall
trade lively Oregon fruit men are doing a
good business and are shipping to Cali
fornia points At the East more is doing at
Baltimore. Southern buyers are Increasing
in number and stocks are reported heavily
reduced. Business is active at Pittsburg.
iron and steel being especially so. At Bos-
ton and New York a moderate movement Is
noted. The depressed condition of the raw
staple tends to discourage future business in
there is less talk of curtailing production at
Fall River. In wool and wooden goods
business Is only moderate and manufac-
turers buy for present requirements. Or
ders for mems wear goods for the spring
trade are coming in better
Wheat and corn shipments are smaller
than those of last week, but are still ahead
of last season. Wheat shipments for the
week, including -four aggregate 3,795,95S
rected) last week. and compare with
5.3l6,S03 bushels in this week last year,
1891. 693 bushels in the corresponding week
of 1896, 23s9. 40 bushels In 1895, and 3,1S2. 100
bushels In 1894. Since July /, this year. the
exports of wheat aggregate q, $50. e66 BUSH
els against p 1872. 346 bushels last year. Corn
exports for the week aggregate 3.196.0H
bushels, against 3517,952 bushels last week,
3929,035 bushels in 1897, 2.769,60l in 1896, and
105 600 bushels in 1895. Since July i this
year the exports of corn aggregate %. 22S. 3S5
bushels, against 19,6s5,Sss bushels during the
same period last year. Canadian trade Is
quiet, but the tone is one of condolences,
based primarily on an expected wheat yield
larger than ever before in the DomInions
history. Canadian cotton goods are firm,
but mills are now able TO keep up with or
ders. and imports of American cottons have
ceased. In British Columbia normal trade
is doing, but the salmon pack as a whole IS
disappointing and prices tend upward.
Business failures in the Dominion of Canada
number twenty-six. against thirty-five last
week. forty-one In this week a year ago,
thirty in 1896 and 1894. and thirty-seven in
1895 Canadian bank clearings for the week
aggregate So. 7l1.000. s per cent. smaller
than last week. and &c per cent. smalieR
than in this week a year ago.