The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-09
ACTIVE J0BBING TRADE
FEATURE OF THE WEEK IN. MOST
LINES OF
Collections Arc Good and Failures
Few-IrOn and steel and the Ger
eaIs-Boot and Shoe Activities.

NEW YORK, Mahch S.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow
will say: Little change was developed this
week in the condition of general business.
Ground recently gained seemed to be held
without difficulty, with a good distribution
Of merchandise by jobbers in most direc-
tions. and with entire absence of specula-
tive activity. There has been a further
decline in cotton, which does not help the
goods market. still the most backward
and disappointing OF all the great indus
tries. but in mechanical lines the progress
being made is noteworthy. Building ma
t~erials, including lumber. are in especially
urgent demand, and dealers who can de-
liver stock have no difficulty in securing
advanced prices. In this, unlike most
other lines of business, the East leads the
country, and just at this season it is OF
particular significance. Collections are re-
ported good all through the West, and are
better than usual al the South. Condi-
lions in iron and steel begin to assume an
appearance similar to that of 1899. Prices
have moved upward rapidly since the turn
was made, and bids at current rates for
distant delivery are often refused. Manu-
facturers are unanimous in reporting a
6iCdb Lid " uOllCSAiC COuSuAipbAOh
while export contracts for finished forms
are still taken in competition with deciin-
ing foreign markets.. Production of coke
expands and shipments are only limited
by car shortage.
Footwear is steady at former prices, and
while sales have decreased somewhat, fac
tories are assured activity for a month or
more. There is a good demand for low
priced heavy goods IRON Southern jobbers,
out many Western buyers have not placed
fhoIR DCfln non fRla fa &c xvAf UhA lnanI
JoDbing trade mas improved and city whole
salerS have liberal orders from country
retailers. Large contracts have been placed
with Western manufacturers, who report
conditions satisfactory. the slight decrease
In shipments from Boston for the week
is not surprising. but the loss of over 100000
cases tor the year thus far indicates the
extent TO which development OF this indus
try in the West and South has reduced
New England business. The growth of
domestic trade and expectation has been so
great, however, that, with the exception
OF last year and 1898. the current years
shipments to date exceed any other on
record by over 1900 cases.
Textile fabrics exhibit a little animation,
although the markets are still far from q
satisfactory position. Knit goods receive
more attention for fall lines, hosiery and
articles for summer outing are taken free
ly, mercerized goods OF expensive quail
ties enjoy a brisk demand. and cheaper
ccttons are exported in considerable guam
titles. some lines of silks find buyers
without further cut, and labor troubles at
the mills are less disturbing. Two large
failures in wool occurred abroad and three
Vermont nrms were forced to suspend.
Sales of wool at the chief Eastern mar
kets decreased nearly 100000 pounds COM
pared with the previous years business,
but this Is a favorable symptom, as ex-
cessive operations of late were due to
forced sales at lower prices. Cotton de-
clined still further, with option business
active. Idle mills, stimate of liberal re-
ceipts and indications that planters will
cultivate an immense acreage this season
result In the lowest price of the season.
Wheat is in abunoant supply, with quo
tations well above last years, owing to
reports that the Hessian fly promises to be
unusually troublesome, while weather con-
ditions are also threatening. Atlantic ex-
ports Of wheat. flour included, were 2,477, $50
bu for the week, against 1,7S1, 1876 a year
ago. Corn exports were 1885,, 43S bu, against
2,IS ,21S in 1900.
Failures for the week were pos in the
United States, against 205 last year, and 20
in Canada, against 80 last year.