The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-08
Bank CIearings Greater than n Year
Ago, When Trade Was BOOM
ing in Nearly All Lines.
PRICES OF STAPLES STRONG
MARKED ACTIVITY IN THE WEST
AND THE FAR NORTHWEST.
Iron and Steel Industry Still Leading
All Manufactures i'm Gains
Exports of Cereals.

NEW YORK, Oct. 7.-Bradstreetss to-
morrow will say: With the exception of
some parts of the South, where heavy
storms and yellow fever. with resulting
quarantines, check distribution, very large
business appears to be doing, though COM
plants of a narrow margin of profit are
we'll nigh unanimous. While the bank clear
ings of September point to slightly small
er business done the country over than one
year ago, this weeks figures point to a
fair gain over last year. and therefore over
all previous records for this week of the
year. The volume of distribution. as a whole
is well up to or above that reported a wear
ago in most sections, and therefore far in
advance of recent preceding annual periods.
AS for some time past most activity is
perceptible in the West and Northwest and
on the Pacific coast, particularly at Puget
sound and Columbia river points 1t has
been a carnival and fall celebration period
at a number of Western cities this week
and resulting large distribution, both re-
tail and wholesale, is reported At leading
Eastern markets recently favorable reports
are fully maintained, with business in tex
tiles, particularly cotton and wooden goods
least favorably situated
The general industrial situation is a very
favorable one. Marked activity continues
to be feature of Theron and steel trades
but the Immense rate of production at
present, in the absence of immediate new
demands. has caused a shading of some few
grades of pig iron and steel billets Move
ments in an upward direction, however. are
reported from the West. The situation as
to prices generally is one of sustained
strength. wheat being prominent in this re-
spect, while the most important reduction
Is that growing out of the refined sugar
war. To the exceptional strength of ocean
freights is charged some of the falling off
in exports from Southern points. Business
failures are still down to a minimum. num-
bering 163 for the week, against 166 last
week, 237 in this week a year ago and 25s
in 1894
Active demand for the actual wheat and
unprecedently small stocks to start with
have constituted balance for generally es-
tlmated maximum worlds Yields and re-
cent considerable increases in stocks at
home and abroad. In the face. therefore
of gain of 100000 bushels in American
and European stocks last week. prices. in
lIuencea py the small net gain in world S
stocks in September-15,5 $780, 600 bushels-haye
ruled hrmer and higher. Bradstreet's MONTH
~ report of wheat stocks shows a total on
&c Oct; IN this country and Canada of q,
600 bushels, a gain of 10135, 900 bushels for
the month against 12746,OOO bushels a year
ago, while European stocks on a like date
are given at AZ 100000 bushels gain Of
only 100000 bushels, against 14,2OO, 600 bush
els IN september year ago. A combined
gam is here Indicated of only Is, 500 900 bush
eIs' agalnst zfVOO, zoo last year and 20, 900
TO N,OCO,OO0 gain in 1895 and 1896. Stocks in
TINS country and Canada east of the Rockies
on oct: are the smallest reported at that
date since 1882. Prices of leading sfanIes
as reported to Bradstreet's, while showing
well held o -ioiii
street. shows the bank clearings at the
cities named for the week ended Oct. 6
with the percentage of increase and de-
ing week last year.