The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-29
Evidence that Confidence, the Real
viyaI, Now Reigns supreme.
WEEKLY REVIEWS OF TRADE
DISTINCT IMPROVEMENT NOTED IN
ALMOST ALL LINES.
Increase in Wages of 100000 Miners
tiOns-Heavy Bank CIearings.

NEW YORK, Jan. 2S-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say Favorable conditions in
the trade situation continue to far outweigh
those of an opposite character. Stormy
weather throughout a large section of the
country this week has checked the move
ment of merchandise into consumption, but
a perceptible increase in the demand for
seasonable goods is reported already re-
sulting. The last week of the month closes
with increased activity in many lines;
number of price advances; heavily increased
banking clearings. as compared with one
year ago at nearly all cities; another con-
siderable drop in the number of failures re-
ported; large exports of cereals, particular
ly wheat, corn and flour, and perceptible
confidence in nearly all branches of trade as
regards the outlook for spring business. An
other favorable feature of the week is the
slight but distinct improvement in the cot
ton goods situation, in which speculative
activity is awakening. Print cloths are
higher and some makes of gray and medium
weight cottons are more firmly held.
Pig iron is rejecting the effect of the pres
ent unprecedented production, and a further
weakening in prices is reported at Eastern
points at the West, however, consump-
ton of pig and of the finished products of
iron and steel is reported increasing so as
to hold prices firm. Large sales of bar steel
and rails are reported at Chicago and st.
Louis. with mills refusing to take orders
for delivery earlier than late summer.
Boots and shoes hold the late advance.
and manufacturers of heavyweights will
not take orders for fall delivery at present
prices. Wool is strong on large sales and
firm prices abroad. Prices of most staple
products are higher on the week. Notice
able instances are those of wheat, which Is
past the dollar mark again at many West
ern markets. The active demand for the
Klondke trade is reflected in canned goods,
stocks of which are reported very low, with
prices holding the late advance. Collections
are generally reported fair, those indicating
backwardneSS coming most generally from
the South.
Cereal exports are again heavy, the total
shipments of wheat, including flour for the
week amounting to 5,110 624 bushels, against
1926, 900 bushels last week, 2,5l5,G00 bushels
in this week a year ago, 255OOJO bushels In
1896 and 2,083 900 bushels in 1895 Corn eX-
ports have also heavily increased from last
week. amounting to 1852, 900 bushels, against
5, 1856, 900 bushels last week, 3,011,00 bushels
last year, 3,197.e00 bushels in 1896 and $4,000
bushels in 1895.
Business failures for the week are the
smallest reported in the fourth week of
January for five years past numbering only
2SS against 300 last week, 326 in the CORE
spending week of last year, 1873 in 1896, 81 in
1895 and $40 in 1894. OF the failures reported
$1,000 capital or less, and 50 per cent. of all
were of. concerns having less than $50 900
capital. Business failures in Canada this
week number fOrty-eight, against forty-SlX
last week, tifty-siX in the week a year ago
and sixty-three in the corresponding week
n 1896