The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-10

Steel-The Chicago Strike.
NEW YORK, March 9.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: Relieved from the ham,
pering effects Of stormy weather, general
trade distribution has shown a tendency
to expand this week. Prices of many
staples are firmer or higher and, generally.
there is a better tone than noted for some
weeks past. Easily holding first rank in
the matter of speculative activity. cotton
early in the week touched the highest level,
not only for the present season, but for at
least six years past. A sharp break, due
to realizing, has brought the level down
again, however, to a point where new buy
ing by sold-out bulls is invited. The crop
movement continues quite heavy, notwith-
standing advices that there is no more cot
ton left at the South. Print cloths and, in
fact, all classes of manufactured cotton,
ave sympathized in the strong tone of the
raw staple. and the first mentioned product
reached 3hc this week, the highest point
for several years past. Wool is rather
weaker, following the drop in prices at the
London sale and the rather slower demand
from American manufacturers, who. being
apparently well supplied for the present,
are content 10 let the raw staple take care
of itself while obtaining a good market
and fair prices for the manufactured
product.
By another one of the short swings which
have distinguished wheat prices for a long
time past quotations have been advanced
this week from the low level touched some
time ago, partly as the result of less favor
able reports from the winter-sOwn crops
in the several Western States, and partly
because of the apparent unwillingness of
country holders to follow the market down.
The checking of interior receipts has appar-
nfl hnar rfInt0 m n1nu N ofao1 10
mand for wheat and flour, and, to a lesser
degree. corn to be reflected in floating
stocks.
Despite a rather smaller production In
February, due partly to disturbances grow
ing out of weather conditions, stocks of
some classes of pig iron are larger, but no
appreciable effect appears to be exercised
upon prices. There is a steady distribution
of hardware, both light and heavy, at
many points.
The Industrial situation is rather irregu-
lar, owing partly to the combined strike
and lockou of $1,000 building hands, build
ing material workers and machinists at
Chicago, and partly to isolated strikes of
smaller numbers of men throughout the
country. On the other hand especially en-
couraging features are found in the iron
and steel industry, where 5000 employees
have had their wages further advanced.
Agreements between employers and en-
ployed ave resulted In a further advance
OF the pudding rate at many Western
works Wages are now nearly so per cent.
higher than a year ago. and for this par
ticular class of work are at the highest
point reached in twenty years.
Wheat, including -four, shipments for the
week aggregate 4,2oS.7 S bu, against 1858, 3S7
| last week and 4,3S9, S21 in the corresponding
week of 1899. Since July l the exports of
wheat aggregate 13S, 579. $50 bu. against 49,
| Ill, SOS last year and 16S. 941 ,514 in 1898.
| Corn exports for the week aggregate 2,1S7,-
S24 blu, against 4.533, $50 last week and 3,736,-
5S6 Blu in this week a year ago; Since July
1 corn exports aggregate las, 714,S3S bu,
against III, 2f2, 627 during the same period a
year ago and I'D, sos, 795 in 1878.
Business failures in the United States
for the week number 1S9, against 173 last
week and III in this week a year ago.