The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-20
Activity Is Great I'm All Except the
Speculative Lines.

NEW YORK, Jan. 19.-Bradstreet's, to-
morrow, will say: General trade and
prices as a whole maintain the even bal
ance which has been the leading feature
for some time past and in which it will
require the advent of distinctly new fea-
lures to effect any basic change. General
demand is large for this season of the
year, but speculation is quiet to the ex-
IRENE of dizziness in some lines. and espe-
cially in those branches of speculation
which go to radically affect financial af-
fairs, and therefore the volume of bank
clearings. Close examination of leading
lines of industry fails to show marked
unfavorable features. 1t is true that retail
trade in seasonable goods has been and
is being affected by phenomenally mild
winter weather and wherever spring trade.
particularly in dry goods, has been de-
veloped, it has been in such volume and &C
companied with such a readiness of accept
ance of advanced prices as to point to
undiminished confidence on the part of the
trade world as to the outlook for spring
business.
The iron and steel industry. justly re-
garded a trustworthy index of gen.
eral trade, is still actively employed on
old orders, and new business is limited
for reasons unnecessary to recapitulate. 1t
is evident that the few reactions in prices
shown in such an ordinarily dull period
as this have strengthened, rather than
lessened, confidence in the future. Signs
of preparation for the coming seasons
needs are shown in the reported active
inquiry for steel rails at the West, re-
cent sales at Chicago .aggregating $1,000
tons, some of which are for Northwestern
railroads and some for export. Production
is evidently as hard pushed as ever, and
the question of fuel supplies rather than
new orders engrosses manufacturers at
tention. Some concessions in foundry iron
are noted, but aside from this, price
changes are within very narrow limits.
Cereals are dull in nearly all directions.
and the pressure of enlarged stocks. par
ticularly abroad, has been influential this
week in bringing about reaction in
prices Corn and oats however. are rather
| firmer on foreign buying. though sympa-
thetically affected by the decline in the
leading cereal. Coffee is active. speculation
being Influenced by higher European adj
| vices and evidence of a large domestic
| consumptive demand. Apparently improved
British prospects in South Africa are as
| signed as the reason for the better buy
ing of cotton. resulting in a fractional adj
vance this week. The crop movement still
continues much smaller than expected by
| the bears. Cotton goods are meeting with
| good demand on spring account. Conces-
| mainly to backward deliveries now arriving
being resold by receivers. Rather more
| inquiry Is noted Tor WOOL, particularly at
| Boston, and mems wear sales for next
| fall are meeting with good patronage, not
withstanding the advances demanded.
Wheat, including flour, shipments for the
| week aggregate 1901, 026 blu, against 4,24S 926
| last week. 5.19S.6n in the corresponding
week of 1899. 3726.O64 in 1898, 2.9l6 706 in 1897
and 3.si9271 in 1896. Since July /, this sea-
| son. the exports of wheat aggregate 49,
500. 3S1 bu. against 139. 234, 719 last year and
| al. SIS, 974 in 1898. Corn exports for the
week aggregate 3.199.312 blu. against 3.314,-
| $40 last week, 2.92S, 191 in this week year
ago. S.4S6.713 in 1898. 3,52O322 in 1897 and
| 3.l92.365 in 1896. Since July /, this season.
| corn exports. corrected, aggregate IL. 1885,
| 713 bu. against 92020.19O during the same
period year ago, and 81. 93l. 139 in 1s97-9S
Business failures in the United States are
| fewer in number there being 255 for the
week. as compared with 295 last week. 262
| In this week year ago. 300 i'm 1898. 429 in
| 1897 and 81 in 1896. Failures in the Domin-
| ion of Canada for the week number thirty
| five. compared with twenty-eight last
week, thirty in this week year ago, for
| ty-six in 1898, fifty-seven in 1897 and fifty
two I'm 1896.