The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-09
iron AND STEEL ACTIVE
SOME BRANCHES OF THE TRADE
SHOW PRICES.
Improved Textile COnditiOns-The &C.
real Movements Car Shortage
About the Only Bad Feature.

NEW YORK, Nov. S.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
THE trade situation presents many
points of strength and few of weakness
Colder weather throughout the country has
stimulated retail trade in heavy clothing,
shoes. groceries and rubber goods, and this
has already been reflected in an improved
recorder demand from Western and South
ern jobbers. Collections, too, are more
satisfactory. Country merchants are re-
ported in good financial shape, and one re-
suit of this is found in the rather better
supply and easier tone of money. Hold
ing of cotton is reported from the South,
this being aided by the strength OF the
business community generally. Higher
prices have been made for cereals. The
Price situation is one of steadiness, though
some hesitation was shown during Oc-
tober.
while nearly all industries are active.
special strength and activity has been dis
played in iron and steel. Production as
yet seems to be running behind consump-
ton. The shortage of cars is an additional
obstructive feature just at present. and the
effect on the coke trade has been SO
marked as to cause the shutdown OF
twenty blast furnaces in the Pittsburg dis
trict. Pig iron is in good demand East
and West. Railway material is very active
at Chicago and $4,000 tons of steel rails
have been ordered by Western roads this
week. Iron bars and nails display weak
ness and are lower. Plate specifications are
also reported being held back. At Pittsburg
there is a heavy demand for bessemer
iron and sales of 1900 tons of this ma
terial and of 10000 tons Of foundry iron
are reported, with good premiums for
prompt delivery. Forge iron is so cents Up.
Structural material also is active, sales
at Pittsburg for the week a~ggregating
12.OoO tons.
Some irregularity is noted in the market
for cotton goods, owing to the weakness OF
raw material, the outgrowth of large estl-
mates. The Fall River wage situation has
been clarified by a reduction in wages made
by the manufacturers who some weeks ago
dvanced them. Print cloths are firm for
prompt delivery at 31sc, but some sales
nave been made for January delivery at
&c. Wooden goods machinery is actively
employed. The markets have been rather
tirmer, with an upward tendency.
The leather trade is rather quieter than
of late. Shoe factories at the East are
finishing up their winter orders prepare
tory to turning machinery on spring goods.
Prices are still the key of the situation
and they are firm and unchanged. Shoe
shipments continue largely in excess of a
year ago.
The coal trade was in good condition
previous to the cold weather. 1t has lost
none of it's strength since and the only
source of complaint is the small stocks in
dealers hands and the trouble growing out
of the scarcity of cars. Raw sugar is
lower in sympathy with the continued bear
ish feeling here and abroad. and refined is
10 points lower all round. Coffee is slight
ly higher on smaller crop estimates.
Wheat, including flour, exports for the
week aggregate 5,469, 454 bu, as against
6,672, SIS last week and 3,555, 5O7 in this week
last year. Wheat exports from July l to
date aggregate III, lSS, 9lS blu, as against
66. $50, 1871 last season. Corn exports aggre-
gate l0S.2S4 bu, as against COT, 159 last week
and 3,2S7, 67 last year. From July l to date
corn exports are IL, 47,S 4 bu, against So,
1863, S14 last season.
Failures for the week in the United
States aggregate 191, as against 172 last
week, 161 in this week a year ago. 1872 in
1899 and 1S7 in 1888"