The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-07
NOTABLE WEEK IN TRADE.



NEW YORK, Dec. 6.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
This has been notable week in trade
and industry. Retail distribution, stimu-
lated by cold weather and holiday infu-
ences, has been very large and is reflected
in a decidedly good reassorting demand
from jobbers. Holiday trade, in fact, prom
Uses to be OF unprecedented volume, with
demand for better class of goods. In the
great industries, such as iron, COAL Ium-
Der, the textiles, jewelry, boots and shoes
and the various kindred and subsidiary
branches, activity has been widespread
The rise in food staples and metals is the
basis for the apparent resumption of higher
prices noted for November. Iron and steel
are stronger at the highest prices of the
year. Inability TO obtain supplies is COM
planned of all the way from the furnace to
the finished product. The switchmen's
strike affects Pttsburg and further aggra-
Yates the car shortage trouble. Some mills
are closed for want of steel and some fur
naces for want OF fuel Merchant furnaces
are reported running only half their capac-
ity. Steel is practically unobtainable for
prompt delivery. Wire and nails alone are
stronger and structural mills are crowded
with orders. Bar steel is scarce at Chi
sellers are Indifferent Foundries have
booked orders months ahead. Orders for
railroad cars are very heavy
The original impetus for the advance in
wheat. the scarcity and high prices for the
coarser grains, has this week been aided
by the widening out of speculation. outside
buying being a feature, aided by the small
er receipts at the Northwest. The highest
price paid for seventeen months has been
reached in the face of the largest gain IN
stocks, both here and abroad. reported i'm
any month for years past. Wheat in the
United States and Canada increased 81
100000 bushels in November, an increase
nearly five times the gain shown a year
ago. Corn and oats are higher than at any
time since 1891.
The early strength of the cotton market
was disturbed by the government estimate
of 9.674OO0 bales as the total crop This
estimate. while a surprise to the trade in
ducing a net advance of sac in spots and
OF so points I'm futures was I'm keeping with
the earlier published government figures
of condition and yield The strength In raw
material has made the gray goods market
frmer. The export branch is in good shape,
with many makes OF heavy cottons sold
ahead TO March. Wooden machinery is
busily employed. worsted manufacturers
especially so. and raw wool is hardening
Wheat, including flour. exports for the
week aggregate 4.604.S46 bu. as against s.
HATS bu last week and 1882. 159 bu in this
week last year. Wheat exports from July
l to date aggregate 132. AZ, 20S bu. as against
2.175.172 bu last season. Corn exports ag
gregate 1852, S44 bu, as against 6S0.96S bu last
week and 5S71.31 bu last year. From July
/ TO date corn exports are 19,5l6,931 bu,
against Is. S4S. 203 bu last season.
After a Slight breathing spell in October
prices. Influenced chiefly by the cereals
provisions and metals. apparently resumed
their upward course in November. and the
index number on Dec. /. as reported by
Bradstreet's. is *. 40. a gain of seven
tenths OF per cent. over the index number
OF Nov. and Of per cent. over the low
water mark of June 1. but decline OF S
per cent from the high-water mark of
February. 1900. In all. six out of thirteen
classes or products advanced during No
vember, these being breadstuffs. provisions
live stock, the metals, coal and coke and
miscellaneous products: forty-five products
advancing. twenty-three declining and thir-
ty-nve remaining unchanged as a result Of
operations during that month. Compared
with a year ago fifty-one products are
higher. fOrty-twO lower and thirteen re-
main UNCHANGED
Business failures In the United States for
the week number 30, as against 1S9 last
week and pa in this week last year.