The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-26
BRADsTREETs REVIEW.
Many Favorable Features Found i'm
the Business Situation.

NEW YORK, Nov. %. - Bradstreets to-
morrow will say: winter storms and
holiday have interfered with wholesale de-
mand and distribution, but later clear, cold
weather is a compromising feature, inducing
heavier retail business in seasonable goods
In general business circles most develop
mentS have been favorable, notable among
which might be mentioned general advances
in prices of cereals, provisions, groceries,
cotton, steel and pig iron, the latter chiefly
at Eastern and Southern points; continued
heavy general export trade, better tone in
the market for hides and leather more
firmness in cotton goods and active stock
speculation, all of which are reflected in
very heavy bank-clearing totals. Unfavora-
Die features are few, prominent among
which is the continued dullness at wholesale
of wool and wooden goods. The situation
as to the country's export trade is a flatter-
ing one, except for the scarcity of freight
tonnage, which is really becoming serious
tending to check shipments of goods con-
tracted for and thus to seriously hamper
the development of American trade abroad.
This is particularly felt in the iron and
steel industry, and considerable pig iron ar
may ultimately be thrown back OH domestic
markets.
1.-The movement of wheat and other bread
stutfs continues large, and although some
reaction has followed early strength the
demand is sufficient apparently to more than
counteract growing increases in supplies.
The agreement to print-coth production
and heavy sales of cottons for export have
stiffened values of manufactured goods
somewhat and impaired more cheerful
tone TO this trade and to the raw material
itself. Wooden goods show little effect as
yet of current good retail distribution but
there is a steadier tone as to the values.
important developments are .looked for in
the iron and steel industry, and while the
alleged commission as to steel rail prices
seems to have fallen through, steel billet
values are stronger, and there is talk of a
gentlemen's agreement as to prices taking
the place OF an actual commission. In pig
iron the situation is a waiting one but
large buyers are manifesting more interest
and with the strength of the metal mar
kets abroad and the feeling that 1899 will
is little tendency to make concessions. In
creased speculative interest in anthracite
coal stocks leads to rumors of important
movements in this branch of trade
Wheat, including -four, shipments for the
week aggregate 5.S24. 726 bushels, against
5679 ,141 bushels last week, 1856, 153 bushels in
the corresponding week of 1897, 1858, SOS BUSH
500 bushels in 1894. Since July l. this year,
the exports of wheat aggregate SO, ia fSS
bushels. against 101, S.579 bushels last year
Corn exports for the week aggregate
1898 GAG bushels. against 1854, 124 bushels last
week 2S69 7O5 bushels in this week a year
ago. 1920, SOP bushels in 1896, 1S20, 1913 bushels
in 1895 and 165 $40 bushels i'm 1894 Since July
bushels, against 59,540145 during the same
period q year ago.
Business failures in the United States for
the week number 17S, against 229 last week,
233 i'm the corresponding week of 1897, 296
in 1896, 2SS in 1895, and 307 in 1884,