The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-06
CEREALS AND COTTON.
Bradstreet Develops Lesson from
Their Present Conditions.

NEW YORK, Jan. 5-Bradstreet's will
say tomorrow: The business world has
marked time this week pending the re-
suits of annual stock takings and the pass
ing away of the holiday influences which
usually make for quietness at this period.
Aside from the strengthening of values Of
a number of staples, such as the cereals.
provisions and cotton. which are specrla-
lively dealt in, there has been no decided
movement forward. but on the other hand.
the strength of all other staple values
points to there having been taken no back
ward steps. Perhaps the most notable
movement among leading staples is that
developed in hogs and hog products. a
better realization apparently being had OF
the features making for strength in those
products, notable among which being the
reduction In the supply OF hogs. which.
like the similar falling off i'm the number
of cattle, has gone for a number OF
years past. That the advance i'm hog
products is beginning TO attract more at
tention seems evident from the extent TO
which this advance has nad sympathetic
reflection in the prices Of wheat and other
cereals. which really trace some of the
strength which has been shown this week
TO that source. While stocks of wheat have
fallen off in Europe, and shipments thereto
in December were the lightest recorded for
many years past, still stocks have In
creased in this country to nearly as great
an extent.
In iron and steel quiet strength has. as
for many weeks past, been the notable
feature. A rather more aggressive feeling
is noted at Chicago, where wire and nails
have been considerably advanced, and bar
steel, angles and channels have also moved
upward. With the countrys production
sold ahead as heavily as IL is there Is nat
urally little immediate new BUSH
ness offerings. No sign OF weakness In the
steel market is perceptible. and there has
been, in fact, a marking UP of the nomi-
nal rates. The hardware trade has COM
pleted a year remarkable in many repects.
and the significant report comes from the
West that a number Of statesmen did not
leave the road at all during the holidays.
but kept steadily at work. Light hardware
of some sorts has been marked up this
week.
Lumber is seasonably quiet. but already
preparations for an active spring business
are perceptible. A point OF much interest
to the lumber trade is the possible placing
of an immense order, estimated at ten
billion feet of yellow pine, for the Pam
American Exposition building at Buffalo.
Prices show no weakness.
Textiles display notable strength. Next
season cotton goods will all open higher.
and i'm finished products, particularly there
is chance for expansion, quotation in
those lines have not moved UP TO a parity
with gray goods. The snort supply of water
beginning 10 dHtCl the output Oh new
England cotton mills. and this promises 10
introduce still another element OF strength
into holders positions. Wool. though quiet,
is strong and manufactured goocs Will GER
tainly open at good advances. The bulk OF
the old crop is claimed 10 have already
been marketed.
Wheat, including flour, shipments for the
week aggregate 2.50e.sS2 bu. against $780,
557 last week, 6S60. 26S in the corresponding
week of 1899 34Sl576 in 1875. 3.l0s.6 SIS in 1897.
and 3.4n,6S1 in 1886. Since July last the
exports of wheat aggregate Jog. f93, $40 bu,
against 12S.3S3.97 last year, and lS2, 545,593
in 1S97-9S. Corn exports for the week ag-
gregate 4119,036 blu, against 3. ,259 last
week. 4.S142SS in this week a year ago. g..
AS, 4l6 in 1898. 4.sl9,z6l in 1897 and 2626. i23
in 1896. Since July I last corn exports ag-
gregated 1s5. Isl bu against S. 1882 dur
ing the same period a year ago. and $780,
GO in 1S97-9S.
Business failures Tor the week number
229, as compared with 20 last week, 81
In this week year ago. 333 in 1855 and asa
I'm 1887. Business failures in the Dominion
OF Canada number "A for the week as COM
pared with - last week. % in this week a
year ago and IS in 1898.