The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-24
BIG MERCHANDISE TRADE
ONLY UNFAvORABLE FACTOR is THE
FREIGHT-CAR SHORTAGE.
Steel and Iron Output Practically
Sold for the Year-Week's Grain
MOvement-Bank Clearings.
Ut.
:. 4

NEW YORK, Jan. Or. G. Dun & Co. s
weekly review will say tomorrow:
Heavy transactions in merchandise are
reported. but there is much complaint re-
garding the slow movement of freight.
The situation as to general lines is aggra-
waited by the precedence given fuel over
all other freight except live stock and
perishable goods. Notwithstanding the ex-
tensive increase in transporting facilities
during the past year, some roads have
been compelled to decline consignments,
and in many cases where a large number
of cars were desired only one was pro-
yided. Earnings thus far available for
January surpass last years by SO per cent.
1t is conspicuous in practically every part
OF the country that, despite high prices,
buying is liberal and of the better qualities
of goods, while dealings a rule on
more of cash basis.
Demand for building materials is UNI
usually brisk for the season, and prices of
lumber at the South have advanced. AL
though fortunate sections are receiving a
better supply of fuel. the situation is still
serious, and many pig iron furnaces have
been added to the idle list AS producers
have sold their capacity for some time.
there is little new business and no effort
on the part of the sellers to secure con-
and new transactions light. AS to the de-
mand for finished products. requirements
are still pressing in railway equipment.
stated that orders have been placed for as
many tons of steel rails as were produced
in the full year of 1902. Steel for buildings,
bridges and ships finds ready market and
implement makers are more active. New
orders for merchant steel are light but
old contracts are still numerous.
New England producers of boots and
shoes are actively engaged on seasonable
lines and there is enough business on hand
to keep most plants in operation two
months at least. New business comes for
ward rather slowly. and there few
supplementary orders for spring lines.
Trade in leather is better, domestic shoe
manufacturers operating a more liberal
scale, while export sales of some in
creasing.
AS to cotton goods, the situation grows
steadily stronger, demand for immediate
needs preventing accumulation of supplies
and leaving an increasing number of
orders untitled. few open advances in
quotations are recorded, while quiet
curtaiment of discounts Is reported in
progress. Orders for standard print cloths
at less than 31s cents are rejected and wide
goods are also firmly held. Export buying
has practically ceased. With the exception
of few of the finest grades, wooden goods
for the fall of 1903 are now fully opened
Failures for the week number PCS lin the
United States, against 301 last year, and
q in Canada, compared with % a year ago
Bradstreet's summary of the grain move
ment shows that wheat, including flour
exports for the week aggregate $685. bu
against 4,S7S64 last week, 3.6S9619 in this
week a year ago, and ASSETS in 1901
1855 bu against l6l ,S3S last season and
H. 049. 646 in 1900. Corn exports aggrega Il
2,376. 6O3 bu against 1894 612 last week. 179 52(
year ago, and 3,972.l52 in 1901 For the
fiscal year exports are 1854. lOl blu against
q, ABA 96T last season and 112.907, 647 in 1901.