The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-25
STILL in HUGE VOLUME
DISTRIBUTION OF MERCHANDISE Is
PROGRESSING ACTIVELY.
Unparalleled Prosperity i'm Iron and
SteeI-Better Textile Conditions
The Weeks Bank Clearings.

NEW YORK, Jan. PAR. @. Dun & Co. s
weekly review Of trade tomorrow will say:
Little of a novel nature has developed
in the business or financial situation dur
ing the past week. Conditions OF the pre-
ceding week were accentuated as a rule,
active manufacturing plants becoming still
more busily engaged, while the downward
tendency of prices was not checked. Retail
trade is of immense volume and jobbers
have very large spring orders to fill. West
ern cities send the most satisfactory re-
turns. but nearly all sections are enjoying
wholesome activity, even the South showing
evidence Of Improvement. Wages were vol
unfairly advanced at a number of manu-
featuring plants, hours reduced at others
There were few labor controversies. while
skilled workmen are in greater demand
than supply.
Conditions in the iron and steel indus
tries are shown by recOrd-breaking produc-
ton at many plants and rapid increase Of
facilities at others. When orders for rails
cannot be taken because delivery is de-
sired before the last quarter of the year
it would seem that new figures of output
were assured for 1902. Structural mills are
equally we'll occupied, having contracts for
office buildings, factories, bridges, track
elevation and other constructive work.
Plates and sheets are available more
promptly owing to enlarged capacity Of
mills. Railways handle coke with less de-
lay, which accelerates blast-furnace oper-
ations. Despite the pressure for nearly
all steel products and pig iron there is no
tendency to force quotations. but rather a
stubborn resistance to every upward move
ment. This feature of the market is
watched most intently, as the abnormal
activity would lose its chief value as an
indication Of prosperity If business were
stimulated by excessive prices. Incident
ally foreign competition would also be in
vited, and mills abroad in position TO
take full advantage of any such oppor-
tunity.
Textile markets are quiet. although re-
able except at some Southern points. Cot
ton mills are busy. as rule, but
uncertainty as 10 the future OF raw
material tends TO unsettle prices. Spe-
cialues have been put on the mar
ket with a fair degree Of success
Heavy goods for China are in better In
curry, although the views of sellers are
still above prices offered. Home buying Of
fine yarn goods increases. Print cloths
are nominally &c and scarce for near de-
livery. Wooden mills are working over
time and have much business in sight
More linens opened at slightly lower fig
ures than a year ago, which was natural
IT. view of the difference in cost OF raw
material. Raw wool is strengthened by the
higher prices secured at the London sale
Footwear holds firmly TO the advance
reported last week, with only a moderate
NOlume OF business. sole leather Is firm
with stocks low, but some other varieties
are slightly easier. Betting butts and har-
ness leather have declined fully a cent
Upper leather is fairly steady, concessions
being chiefly to move large lots. Export
sales OF hemlOck 10 England are liberal
Hides are still declining
Hesitation is general in the markets for
staple products. There is no longer the
reckless buOyancy so conspicuous a short
time ago Disaster TO one prominent Op-
orator had a calming influence, and In the
case Of corn the Insignificant exports can
not well De entirely ignored. From Atlantic
ports for the week the movement was but
S52. $50 bu, against 3.472.6l4 year ago For
elgn buying OF wheat. -four included is
much more liberal. all ports OF the United
States sending out 4.32O,005 bu during the
past week, compared with 4.03sSSl a year
ago. Meats have weakened. especially lard.
and dairy products are also less inflated.
Raw sugar stiffened owing 10 restricted ar
rivals. and bounty discussion affects condi-
tons in Europe. Cotton Is not receiving the
support anticipated reports OF exhausted
stocks on plantations being refuted by un-
diminished receipts.
Failures for the week numbered sol In