The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-15
ONLY ONE STORM CENTER
MASSACHUSETTS SUPPLIES THE ONLY
SETBACK TO PROSPERITY.
Distributiye Trade Good All Over the
Footwear and Textiles.

NEW YORK, March 14.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review Of trade tomorrow
will say:
Business in Boston was completely par
alyzed by the strike of freight handlers and
Transfers which directly affected 10000
men and indirectly rendered other thou
sands idle by holding back supplies of raw
material. Fortunately, this struggle
brief, but another will begin on Monday at
Fall River mills and other textile plants in
that vicinity. Outside of Massachusetts,
however, the labor situation is exceptional
ly free from controversy. and even in the
coal mines there is less than the usual agi-
tation as April approaches. Distribution of
spring merchandise is making rapid prog
ress, the most sanguine expectations being
fully realized in all sections outside the
strike area.
Consumers of iron and steel products are
still anxious regarding the conditions dur
ing the next three months. After July l it
is believed that deliveries will be ample.
According to the Iron Age. the weekly ca
pacity of pig iron furnaces in blast on
March l had declined TO 30,710 tons, or
about 10000 tons from the production of
Feb !. Considering the numerous disturb
ing factors at work during the month of
February it is gratifying that a much
heavier curtailment of output did not oc-
cur. All records prior-to Feb. 1 are still
eclipsed and the resumption of many idle
plants this month practically assures new
high-water marks in the near future I'M
less some unforeseen interruption occurs.
As operations at steel works are also re-
tarded, furnace stocks Of pig iron declined
only about $4,000 tons during February
Billets command large premiums for spot
delivery and more purchases are reported
from foreign makers. Pipes and tubes are
more active as the season advances and
large contracts have been placed for struc-
tural shapes. Better transportation for
coke Is rapidly reducing surplus stocks in
the yards and supplying furnaces with all
the needed fuel.
strengthen the tone of textile products by
reducing available supplies, which were al
ready none too large Sellers recently de-
clined much business, Notwithstanding the
uncertain price of the raw material and
were in good position to stand the Interrupt
ton. On the other hand, buyers have
anxiously accumulated the small offerings
All divisions of the cotton market are af-
fected and a general advance in quotations
will follow any interruption to manufac-
ture and transportation, owing to the
healthy consumptive demand. Export bust
holders. Complaints are also heard as to
the delivery of wooden goods, but trade is
only fair and cancellations on orders for
overcoating are frequently reported.
Official indications of farm reserves on
March were not surprising as to corn,
dealers anticipating that supplies would be
only about one-half of last years but the
statement that % per cent. of the enormous
wheat yield remained in farmers hands
was not calculatde TO sustain values. Need
ed rains in the Southwest made the market
look more favorable for next crop. A sus-
tanning feature was the interior movement
of only 26S1 1871 bu, against 1902, $50 last year
while on the other hand total exports from
the United States were but 1855, 472 blu, COM
pared with 1862, ga year ago. Receipts of
corn aggregated only 1893, $50 bu, against
4,1S1, 1897 a year ago, while Atlantic exports
fell to the lowest record for many years.
SO, 100 blu, against 1888, 902 i'm 1901.
Failures for the week were 232 in the
United States. against 200 last year. and
thirty-four in Canada, against thirty-three
in 1901