The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-12
BRADsTREErs REVIEW.
The General Trade Situation Shown
to Be Very satisfactory.

NEW YORK, Nov. u.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: While the influence of the
elections and of unfavorable weather has
been such as to temporarily reduce the
volume Of current trade, the innate strength
of the general trade situation is shown by
the very satisfactory reports received as to
bank clearings, railroad earnings, prices
and other measures of business develop
ment. AS is we'll known for some time past,
the iron trade has been rather bare of new
business, and the desire to see the elections
over before new contracts were made has
been frequently expressed. 1t is therefore,
a significant feature that this week more
inquiry is to be reported for pig iron, and
although new orders are not as yet num-
erous, this fact itself is an encouraging
one, particularly as a further gain in pro-
duction during October is reported. In the
steel trade there is rather more anxiety for
new business, and some price shading to
secure it is reported. The mainstay of the
allied industries at present is undoubtedly
the immense export demand, which is tax
ing the available freight room capacity to
accommodate, and, with the strength
abroad, is likely to furnish a needful outlet
the coming winter The steel rail commits
sion is still in process of arrangement,
JOINT Selling agency Is outlined and reports
are even heard of $50 per ton having been
fixed the price for 1899. simultaneously
comes the report again of the completion of
the ttn-plate combine" which is expected
to control practically the entire output of
the country.
The cereal markets have been quite stead
lily held Notwithstanding the subsistence of
the war talk and less active foreign demand
pointing to the strength of the position
Of most grains. Spot cotton has been I'M
changed on good domestic and foreign
demand, but quotations of futures have
been anected rather unfavOrably by the
growing belief in q maximum yield. Gov
eminent estimates pointing TO a yield
1Ou0UO0 bales below last years output are
practically ignored. The sugar war goes
merrily on. new independent refinery has
started and the margin between raw and
renned is now only Al cent, against a mar
gin before the fight began of nearly 80 cent.
Wheat Including nour) shipments for the
week aggregated 3674,6 93 bushels against
6,U3643 bushels last week, 5,445,5 42 bushels
IN the corresponding week of 1897 4.664 SIS
z,SU5 t20 bushels in 1894. Since July this
year the exports of wheat aggregate n, 30
2l6 bushels against 49, 319 ga bushels last
year. Corn exports for the week aggregate
2142745 bushels, against 1866, $40 bushels last
week, 2,65l5 $40 bushels in this week a year
in 1885 and 197, 8l3 bushels in 1884. Since July
l this year corn exports aggregate 80, ASS, 1875
bushels, against SO, 400. go bushels during the
same period a. year ago.
Business failures in the United States this
week number 49, against 1873 last week, 273
in this week a year ago, 25S in 1886, 279 in
1895 and $50 in 1894. Business failures in the
Dominion of Canada this week number 80,
as against 81 last week, SO in this week
year ago, II in 1896, 45 in 1885 and SO in 1894.