The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-22
EVIDENCE OF PROSPERITY
IN THE MANY AND LARGE VOLUN-
TARY INCREASES OF WAGES.
Trade in Winter Goods Checked by
Mild Weather-Bradstree on Trade
The Weeks Bank Clearings.
NEW YORK. Nov. n-R. G. Dun & Co. S

NEW YORK, Nov. A-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
Weekly Review tomorrow will say:
Voluntary increases in wages by some
of the largest railway systems in the
country bear eloquent testimony to the
amount of business handled in the past,
and emphasize the confidence of officials
in continued heavy traffic Moreover, by
this addition of large sums TO the pur-
chasing power of railway employees, there
is assurance of a larger demand for sil
staple lines of merchantable goods. Tenn
porarily sales of seasonable lines of wear
ing apparel are retarded by mild weather.
but this loss will be fully made up when
low temperature becomes general Prep
arations for holiday trade are on an UNI
precedented scale. especially at interior
points. There is no relief as 10 the con-
gestion of railway traffic, nor any imme-
date prospect of free movements at the
points of most serious blockade. Coal
freight is steadily gaining and railway
earnings thus far reported for November
exceed last years by SO per cent, and
those of 1900 by 1873 per cent.
Orders are now coming forward for iron
and steel products that have been held
back many months in expectation of an
easing market. Instead of making conces-
sions, however, producers ask premiums
for early delivery and hesitate to accept
contracts where material and fuel are not
| in sight. No relief is reported as to the
| movement of coke nor is any anticipated
| for some time to come; in fact, one author
| ity suggests that the situation will not be
normal before April. Imports relieve some
! departments of the industry. Plans for
| constructive work are now increasing, and
a very large tonnage of structural material
| will be required. AS the present congestion
| is due to inadequate facilities the most
| importunate inquiry is for railway equip
| ment. Activity is notable at works making
| agricultural implements, bolts and kindred
| lines. Recent reductions in a few of the
| lighter forms stimulated dealings to a fair
| degree. Silver bullion declined to the low
| est price on record and copper and tin also
| receded from former quotations. London
| was conspicuous factor in these changes.
Heavy lines of dry goods and footwear
| need the stimulus of cold weather. A fair
| ly steady demand is reported for staple
| cotton goods. but buyers are taking only
| for immediate requirements. Weakness in
| the raw material gave an easier tone to
| forward shipments, yet the margin between
| spot and distant month deliveries is ex-
ceedingly narrow, while the moderate re-
| covery in raw cotton quickly steadied the
market for goods. Orders for spring shoes
are coming forward freely, and there is
| supplementary puyiHe VI winter SOouS on a
moderate scale. Retailers have much mon
| ey tied up in rubber goods, for there has
| been but little demand. Both sole and
| upper feathers are quiet, yet quotations are
| steady and betting butts are firmer. For
| eign buying of hemlock is somewhat re-
| stricted. No concessions obtained or
| hides, except where new offerings are OF
| inferior quality, although stocks have in
| creased and the Western markets are quiet
Failures for the week numbered 266 in
the United States, against 21S last year
and twenty-four in Canada, compared with
| thirty-one year ago.