The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-29
MORE MEN ARE At WORK
EVEN THE ANTHRACITE STRIKE
DOES NOT REDUCE TOTALS.
High Prices of Grain and Cotton
Check ExpOrts-Bradstreet on the
Outlook in the Industries.

NEW YORK, Sept. 2S.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'s weekly Review of Trade tomorrow
will say: Not Wall street alone, but the
entire business world as well, watched the
progress Of efforts to bring about a settle
fnent of the anthracite coal strike with ac-
tive interest. This week the paralysis of
the anthracite industry was more complete
than last. and the effect was seen on the
distribution of merchandise in the East and
the placing OF new orders with manufac-
turers. Coal advanced % cents above last
week, and the larger companies refused to
name a selling price. The strike involved
about 10000 miners and hundreds of train
men. but the working force has increased
largely through the settlement between the
Amalgamated Association and several steel
companies whose works, employing 10000
men. have been idle, while only LOCO men
were affected by the shutdown Of the Sus-
quehanna Iron and Steel Company by a
strike. In the East the conditions seem
generally favorable for a quick recovery
with the coal strike over, while In the West
there has been no noteworthy reduction In
the distribution of any class of goods.
Aside from the expected reduction to $26
for steel rails and a sale of bessemer pig at
Pittsburg at sl3.75, the whole list of iron
and steel products is unchanged. The feel
ing grows stronger that bottom has been
reached. Taking the eleven articles quoted
in our price tables, 1t will be seen that after
an advance of over 100 per cent. in 1899
prices declined only about IS per cent. this
year, there Is already a tendency to-
ward a higher level. One company is con-
sidering the purchase of 10, 600 tons of foun-
dry iron, and an export order for 800 tons
of rails has been placed. More coke ovens
are In operation, but the price is un-
changed.
Wheat again rose to SO cents, but failed
TO maintain the advance. Corn, for prompt
delivery, was scarce, and advanced 10 cents
above the price at this date last year. or
over % per cent. This naturally disposed
of foreign buyers, and exports for the week
were only 1850, O1s bushels, while for four
weeks s.. 476, 546 bushels went out at Atlantic
ports, against IL, $50, 904 a year ago. Wheat
shipments from the Eastern coast were D.
7S3. 7l3 bushels, flour included. against g.
929, 1876 last year. In the cereals, as with
cotton, outsiders do not purchase freely at
the current level of prices.
Another increase of $3.50 cases in ship
ments of boots and shoes from Boston
makes the outlook more encouraging for
that industry, and manufacturers are re-
joicing over a widely distributed range Of
orders, which indicates that stocks of all
grades have reached a low point. Needs
are imperative in many sections. Jobbers
at this city are busy, and Western buyers
ask prompt shipment. After a long period
of ~stagnation the present moderate volume
of trade is most welcome. Leather is shar-
ing the Improvement. but the situation as
to hides is rather depressing because of
heavy current receipts of cattle and the
probability of still larger arrivals. Sales of
wool fall to about one-quarter OF last
years, and one hundred grades quoted in
the Philadelphia market show a decline of
about half a cent.
Failures for the week were 24 in the
United States, against 157 last year, and
IL in Canada, against Il last year.