The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-29
B~RADSTREET ON TRADE.
D~istributive Business Quieter, with
Retailing i'm Abnormal Volume.

Retailing in Abnormal Volume.
morrow will say:
Trade activities nave shifted from first
to second hands this week. Wholesale and
jobbing distribution of dry goods, clothing,
hats and caps, millinery and shoes has been
rather Quieter, as was only natural in view
of the elimination of the spring demand
before Easter. Retail distribution, favored
by spring weather, has been very active
East and West. with a fair business at the
South. Among the industries new demand
for iron and steel on the whole has been
less active. but production and shipment
have gone forward at undiminished speed.
The building trades nave taken a decided
squirt in activity. Lumber is active at all
markets at higher prices than ruled a year
ago. The edge has rather been taken off
cotton and cotton goods prices by the reac-
ton in the raw material and the talk Of
further labor unsettlement, but values as a
whole are steady. Aggressive strength in
prices is Chiefly manifested by hog product
which It is declared have been manipu-
lated by packers. A more reasonable ex-
PLANTATION, however, is that the high prices
for beef and mutton have largely diverted
consumption to hog products. Milder
weather has relieved the strain on the coal
lTdQt hat, Out SlIlhG Idlk mas pre-
vented weakness in prices.
Rather less activity in iron and steel is
noted, but no loss of price frmness is OBJ
servable. The peculiar situation of the
foundry pig iron market is shown by the
fact that prices of that grade are 81 higher
per ton than bessemer. Finished iron and
steel have been active, implement and
wagon manufacturers buying heavily of
steel bars. which are nominally 81 per ton
higher. Despite the fact that tin plate
mills are booked for FIVE months ahead, the
H. If-- Nzr.- 49, e.
at "a per box. Testimony TO the activity
in hardware is we'll nigh unanimous. Chi
cago reports the demand active beyond all
precedent. Jobbers in cutlery and builders
hardware at New York report inability to
secure supplies fast enough.
The analysis of the cotton market given
a week ago to the effect that the market
was on a dead center and that the position
appeared 10 be o~verbOught was confirmed
this week by the sharp break of nearly one
third of a cent in futures and of one-fourth
of a cent in spots, brought about by tired
long liquidation. A more cheerful tone de-
veloped at the decline. however. and cover
ing in anticipation of the holidays recov-
cred a portion OF the loss. Wool is quiet.
Mills are busy on previous orders. Mems
wear clothing is dull. Boots and shoes are
dull and new business is smaller. Ship
ments for the season are a trihe smaller
than last year. Leather is quiet and hides
are dull and easy.
The leading cereals are irregularly lower
after an apparently futile effort at bulling
PllNtE. Last NtEh = htNlAllt DIOukHl III con
siderable export business in wheat. iand
some revival was reported even in corn.
Steady buying and talk of a squeeze IN
corn were reflected sv-mp2theticalIv IN
wheat. The talk of a corner in July corn
was aided by the small supplies OF contract
grades. but the tendency to take profits
in anticipation of the holidays weakened
prices, which generally closed lower than
a week ago. Wheat crop advices have on
the whole been very good. though isolated
reports of damage in Kansas and Oklahoma
have been received. Wheat Including four
exports for the week aggregate 2.gO4. IC
bushels. against 4.326. 3O4 last week and 4
494. 635 in this week last year. Wheat ex-
ports from July l 10 date aggregate 1874. s99.
cal bushels. against 49, 23, 424 last season.
Corn exports aggregate 139. 205 bushels
against S5a,S sol last week and 3.5S2. 943 last
year. From July / 10 date corn exports
were 2f.134.1O bushels. against 143. 966. 337 last
season
Business failures in the United States for
the week number 1S3. against 1877 last week
and 1Sy in this week last year.