The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-02
STRENGTH IN METALS.


NEW YORK, March l.-Bradstreet's, to-
morrow, will say: Trade reports from dis
tributive centers at the West continue en-
couraging, while such measures OF trade
volume as bank clearings and railway
earnings indicate a considerable gain In
business over a year ago. Soft spots are.
of course, to be found, notably In the manu-
featuring branches of the cotton and the
wool trade, but advices from the dry goods
and clothing distributors are encouraging,
and, IL Is thought, will help business. A re-
vival In export trade in cottons is noted
among the encouraging features In this line.
In the Northwest cold weather has. TO a
certain extent, retarded spring trade prepa-
rations, but the agricultural implement
trade is reported nearly equal TO a year
ago at Minneapolis.
The strength OF iron and steel. this week,
recalls the boom OF 1899. II Is probable,
too, that the broad and strong consump-
tive demand and not the operations OF
pools or cliques Is responsible for the steady
advances. Practically all markets report
iron and steel higher. but special activity
Is noted at Pittsburg, Birmingham and
Chicago. st. Louis. alone, reports foundry
iron consumers Indifferent. At Pittsburg
Bessemer pig is 75c higher and at Chicago
Southern pig shows a similar gain. Steel
billets now sell at 50 over the pool price for
prompt delivery. Stocks of pig and billets
are reported small. ore prices have not
yet been fixed and the Improvement in iron
mas result in higher prices than earlier ex-
pc I'd. In finished products the feature Is
the advance of 81 per ton in steel sheets
at P~ittsburg and Chicago. All mills are re-
ported we'll supplied with orders. Despite
the fact that export trade In crude ma
terials, particularly, IS small with indus
trially well advanced countries. a good
movement TO other countries is noted.
Shoe traders are active at all markets
and manufacturer are busy. The rush OF
Western buying is on the wane at Boston
but New England manufacturers are as
sured of a busy time from now till October.
Leather is advancing. No. i hemlock and
union sole are i cent a pound higher than
actual sales a week ago.
The cereals are without notable change,
wheat and corn being fractionally lower in
a dull scalping movement. Corn is rather
I'm better export demand. but rumors of a
deal at Chicago restrict operations some
what. Cuban sugar crop prospects are re-
sponsible for the slight weakness shown In
raw sugars this week. which latter. how
ever, has not affected refined. Lumber is
strong in price, pending resumption OF
general building operations. Western adj
vices are especially bullish.
Copper Is less active for exports, but
holds firm. while tin is again lower on
weaker foreign advices.
Wheat, including Hour, m for the
week aggregate 5,233,3l3 blu, against 3,i2i, 302
last week. 3,S63. 3S7 in the correspondents
week OF 1900 and 5.S15.5S5 in 1899. From July
/ TO date wheat exports are 134, f47, $3.50 bu,
against 1874. $50. sos last season and 1856. Sic, S74
gregate 4.1S5, 449 Blu, against 3,267, eos last
week, 4.53S, $50 in this week a year ago and
5. 794. S63 bu in 1899. From July / TO date.
corn exports are 132, l5I. 423 bu. against 49,
617,0l4 last season and ll3. OBS in 1S9S-99.
Business failures in the United States for
the week NUMBER loi, as against 221 last
week. lS in this week a year ago and 10 In
1S4Q