The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-12
BUSINESS DONE in MAY
WAS A PROSPEROUS MONTH FOR THE
WHOLESALE DISTRICT.
A Busy Period on Commission Row
Lively Times ut the Stock Yards
shipments for May.

The general tenor of the report of bust
ness done in May on the wholesale streets
and on commission row is tina the volume
was highly satisfactory, and not only the
largest of any month of 1899, but never be-
fore equaled in many lines in May. This
is true Of the dry goods houses, the bust
ness of Murphy. Hibben & Co. being fully
80 per cent. larger, says one of the firm.
than in May. 1898. and the results have been
quite as satisfactory owing to the advance
In several lines of goods with which the
Indianapolis dry goods houses were well
stocked. The druggists have enjoyed an
unusually good spring trade, and their bust
ness was largely in excess of May, 1893.
Sales of paint. oil and glass were heavy
beyond all precedent. Leather dealers all
spring had an active trade, and the tend
ency to a hardening of prices has stimu-
lated the trade. With the Improvement in
manufacturing industries there has been a
large demand for betting. The grocers in
May. as for some months past, did a large
business. Prices have ruled steady and
sales of sugars canned goods. fish and
fancy groceries have been large. The whole
sale grocers now handle large quantities
Of provisions. Dealers in crockery and
glassware speak of their trade as having
been very satisfactory. and, with the prom
ise of a large fruit crop, their sales of glass
jars and tumblers for Jellies are reaching
large proportions. The confectioners report
their business as having been much better
than in May last year. The manufacturers
of first-class candies have a sharp COMPETE
ton from the manufacturers of lower-grade
goods. which they throw on the market at
prices which catch a good deal of trade.
The most successful merchants probably
the wholesale streets at the present time
are the iron. steel and hardware dealers.
Their trade for months past has exceeded
all former records, and with the advance
in prices of iron and steel products they
have doubtless made more money than any
other line of trade. Hat and cap dealers
had a good months business. 1t being hand
scmely In excess of May. 1888. but with the
boot and shoe men and milliners May bust
ness. while as good as was expected, was
not in volume equal to that OF the other
spring months.
1t was stated that more green stuff,
potatoes and strawberries. were handled
row in May than ever before
in one month, and indications are for a
big June trade in fruits and vegetables.
The produce men had a busy month. Sell
dom have they paid as good prices for eggs
and poultry through the month of May as
those of this year. Besides being a good
home demand, there has been an active
demand for eggs and poultry. The
seed merchants report their business in May
to have been largely in excess Of May. 1885.
With each year the seed merchants of In
6ianapolis come into more prominence and
their business. some of them going
quite extensively into raising the seeds they
sell. Summing up May. 1855. will be remem-
bered by a large per cent. OF the wholesale
and commission men as a month
which they did a good business and rea-
lied very satisfactory results financially.