The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-24
IMMENSE RAILROAD EARNINGS


NEW YORK, Feb. 2s-Bradstreet's re-
view of the state of trade will say: Gen.
eral distributive trade is OF satisfactory
volume, though affected by weather condi-
lions and holidays. Spring business is en-
larging at many markets. East and West.
the presence of buyers being encouraged
by special passenger rates. A softening OF
prices of specuatively dealt In staples is
to be noted, but the reactions are of mar
row extent. Money is steady, whole.
and no higher than a week ago. Bank
clearings comparisons rather less ia
vorable. partly because Of less pronounced
speculative activity than at this time last
year. Gains In railway earnings for the
first two weeks OF February are OF abso-
lutely phenomenal proportions, but IL must
be remembered that there were exception
ally severe weather conditions experienced
last year. In spite of this. however. IL Is
to be said that eastbound tonnage Is OF
unparalleled volume. while shipments OK
spring goods to the country are very large
That railroad rates are being badly cut is
confidently asserted The earnings of sixty
roads for the second week of February
aggregate s7.9il,O0o an increase OF 1914 per
cent. over the same period year ago.
Business as a whole continues on large
scale. encouraging alike TO distributors and
consumers.
Foreign demand for wheat remains small.
American stocks are large, farmers are
reported holding stock back and crop dam
age scares are discounted by mild weather.
The strength of corn has been a feature,
foreign demand being of good proportions.
and this has furnished supporting Gle
ment In the wheat market. General COM
rlaint of the low grade of offerings comes
from primary markets. High prices for
fiaxseed are expected TO encourage the
planting of much land ordinarily devoted
to spring wheat in the Northwest.
There is a larger volume of business In
pig iron at some markets. but less at 9TH
ers, and prices of that product are quite
steady. The floating OF the new sheet
combination has impaired strength 10 that
branch of trade. Heavy engagements OF
steel billets are announced. which have
relieved the pressure in that line somewhat
Structural iron continues active, indicating
heavy building operations the coming
retain all their old strength, and lower
ocean freights would. IL is argued. bring
about a great enlargement or our export
trade Copper Is Quieter. but steady In
price and tin notes n further advance. In
sympathy with foreign speculation. Hard
ware is improving in distribution at the
West
Business failures for the week number
163, as compared with 1873 a week ago, 20
in this week a year ago. 1S3 In 1895. IS in
1897 and go in 1885.
Wheat including -four. shipments for the
week aggregate 3.66o.So bushels. against
spending week of 1889. BIZ 469 In 1885. l,312,-
PIG In 1884, and 2.20s. T73 In 1896 Since July
the exports OF wheat aggregate 07.2u
bushels. against ls2, s97. go last year, and
week aggregate 2.ss6.175 bushels. against
g. $50. 335 last week. 2.s71. 05T in this week a
year ago. 3.692.799 in 1906. +7hS5s In 1877.
and s.15s.sls in 1896 Since July l corn ex,
107, l73 during the same period a year
ago. and 114.256.045 in ls97-9S