The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-17
EXPANDING SPRING TRADE.
Bradstreet Finds 1t in a Most Salts
factory Condition.

NEW YORK, Feb. 16.-Bradstreet's to-
to expanding spring trade in dry goods and
kindred lines come from a number of mar
kets. That the aggregate business of the
country is of good volume otherwise is,
however, indicated by detailed reports of
increases i'm trade as compared with last
year, confirmed by satisfactory railroad
earnings reports, by fair gains in bank
clearings and by reports of better demand
for money in commercial channels. The
strength Of raw cotton, spot reaching near
ly &c at New York this week, is, of course,
the leading feature In a speculative way.
Despite heavy realizing and some irregu-
larity the movement has continued up
ward. The strength of the raw product is
responsible for the unqestionably active
demand for the finished products noted this
week at nearly all points. Southern mills
are reported sold ahead on brown cottons,
and stocks are scarce, and the same story
of small stocks comes from New England.
Cotton yarns are specially active, and
some large New England concerns are
seeking to fill their orders through the aid
of Southern supplies. Wooden goods are
meeting with a good order business, but
raw wool is rather quieter and some of the
higher grades have been shaded at the
East.
to improved statistical conditions. reiter-
ated English damage reports and advices
that the Argentine crop will not be as
large as expected. Some shading in raw
sugar prices is to be noted, notwithstand-
ing considerable business done, but the re-
fined grades are firmly held and refiners
insist on shorter delivery periods. Coffee
is fractionally lower.
The foreign demand for iron and steel
seems likely to have n most important ef-
feet upon prices of the domestic product.
1t is conceded that any important recession
In value would be met by a heavily en-
larged export movement. American pig
iron prices are steadily held, the only
East. Concessions in Southern prices are
claimed not to extend beyond one furnace.
Considerable orders for pig iron have been
placed at full prices, and Northern coke
iron particularly has moved well In the
central West. Steel rails are well held. a
fair business being reported at the West,
but plates are weak in spite of a heavy
business. Spring trade prospects in hard
ware are good.
Wheat. including flour, shipments for the
week aggregate 1884. 0e9 bushels, against
1902, 357 last week, 2,i54.m In the corre-
spending week of 1899. 3.032. 7A in 1898. 2, l20,-
S96 in 1897, and 3.1i9,O12 In 1896. Since July
l the exports of wheat aggregated 126. S4S. 39l
bushels, against 159, 052 $50 last year, and
I57 asa. PSI in 1898. Corn exports for the
week aggregate 3,490. 335 bushels. against
3. 450. 900 last week. ~1.560.S45 in this week a
year ago, $3.50. SIS in 1895, 6.44l, 40 in 1897. and
2.925, 039 in 1896. Since July l corn exports
aggregate 1876, 097. log bushels. against 10i.-
$40. 121 during the same period a year ago,
and 1I0.563, 246 in 1898.
Failures for the week in the United
States number 1879. as ompare with 81
last week, 160 in this week a year ago, 2c9
in 1898, go in 1897 and 26 in 1896.