The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-22
SLIGHT CHECK in TRADE
WEATHER CONDITIONS INTERFERE
WITH AN ACTIVE MOVEMENT.
Egg Market Rules Easier Incrcas-
ing Receipts-RetniI Trade Is Good
in Constituent Territory.

A stormy day checked trade somewhat on
Tuesday, but in the aggregate fairly good
business was transacted and reports from
travelling statesmen are, a rule, good.
One Of the promising things regarding the
situation is that retail merchants in all
lines have enjoyed better business since
the holidays than usual. Stocks of season
able goods are well reduced. and in many
cases new supplies are being purchased.
The call for groceries is steady and prices
rule steady as we'll. Sugars are in moderate
demand, and roasters and jobbers report a
fair trade in coffees. Molasses and syrups
are selling quite we'll, supplanting fruits to
some extent. Canned goods are moving In
steady, healthy way but are not in active
request Dried fruits are moving freely.
The -four market is only ordinary, many
buyers holding off with an expectation that
the higher range of prices will be Of short
duration. The bottom is out of the egg
market. and they are weak at prices
quoted. Receipts from shipping points in
dicate that the hens have resumed laying,
but severe cold snap would check the de-
Ginning tendency. The butter market shows
less strength, but prices are unchanged and
choice stock meets with ready sale. Cheese
is firm and unchanged. Provisions are fair
ly active, with prices on standard goods
well held. Fruits and vegetables continue
to drag. On Commission row prices are so
high on most lines Of goods that they move
slowly. There is an improved demand for
fancy oranges, but apples move slowly on
account Of the high prices for choice stock.
Poor stock is difficult to dispose of at con-
cessions. Irish potatoes are the same in
price. but are moving slowly. Retail mer-
chants are purchasing in hand-to-mouth
way looking for lower prices to prevail
soon. Much depends on the condition of
the weather during the next few days as
regards prices OF vegetables. At present
the range is too high to admit of active
markets. Dry goods are active for Janu-
airy. New business is OF moderate extent,
but consfdera bic is doing in the way of re-
plenishing broken stocks. An Eastern pa
per, commenting on the present conditions,
says: Business the past year very
good, and Jobbers as a rule look for ac-
tvity the greater part of 1902 Some think
the heavy movement will eliminate this
year, and believe there will be a period of
ra Their lean years, but do not expect q
panic or the hard times that occurred in
1885. The development of the country is
still going on, and Industrial and agricul-
tural operations are being conducted on an
enormous scale. Manufacturers are in
creasing their capacities, and this is re-
garded as an index of continued prosperity.
There those who believe the country
has reached the maximum of its consuming
capacity for the present, yet they look for
activity to continue the greater part of the
present year. There is no surplus of goods
in any line, and manufacturers are behind
in their deliveries. Values are well held
and collections are prompt.