The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-09
NO SLACKENING in TRADE
JOBBING BUSINESS Is LARGE AND
ALL INDUSTRIES ARE ACTIVE.
Easier Pig Iron Markets-The Grain
ACKNOWLEDGMENT Coal Trade
The Weeks Bank Clearings.

NEW YORK. May s.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
Business continues large and industry
active, in most cases surprising previous
years at this date, despite unseasonably
cool weather in some sections and a storm
of vexatious labor troubles. most of the
measures of trade and industrial volume
still make favorable showings. The SIM
ply enormous gain in gross railway earn
ings reported for April. 10 per cent. over
the best in previous years, is proof that
past good reports of trade and traffic were
fully justified. The usual lull in wholesale
trade allows of some retrospects and re-
Elections to the future. Iron production
is at the maximum, but pig iron is dull and
dropping. In sharp contrast with cruder
forms is the strength and activity in steel
and the continued active sale for finished
products.
Mems wear wooden goods are not being
taken hold of freely and some shortening
of running time is possible at New England
mills. Wool moves fairly, though mostly
at concessions. and the disturbed condi-
ton OF raw cotton-prices having reached
the highest point in over two years-holds
back trade for fall though more DISPOSE
ton to do business has been manifested by
buyers this week.
Strikes and lockouts interferred with
trade in lumber and other building material.
particularly in New York The shoe indus
try seems to be exceptionally active.
Leather is firmly held Dry goods. hardware;
clothing and millinery jobbers note good
recorders and the volume of fall orders
booked exceeds that of a year ago. South
ern trade Is affected by unseasonably cold
IL
eating the crop situation, in cotton, fruits
and vegetables. The damage done by the
cold weather can still be repaired by prompt
replanting and favorable weather, although
the cotton crop will be late.
Wheat Including -FOUR exports for the
week aggregate 800. $50 bu, against 81
year and 4.17S.S72 in 1901 Wheat exports
since July 1 aggregate 1877. sos. 163 bu. against
2l9.l66.72S last season and $50, $685. 3 in 1900.
Corn exports aggregate 1,6Sl.7O9 bu. against
1,5S3,s3l in 1901. For the fiscal year ex-
ports are 81. $50 Blu, against rs. S55. 365 last
season and 15s, 222 26S in 1901.
Business failures in the United States for
the week number LIS. against 173 last week
and l79 in the like week of 1902.
r. G. Dunn & Co.'S Review of Trade
notes that the index number has fallen to
80. 267. from 102 .29S. the high point of a year
ago. The iron and steel situation is sum-
married as follows:
Cancellation of orders where deliveries
failed to be made according to contract and
new business at lower quotations, indicate
a tendency toward more normal conditions
in pig iron This is highly desirable and
gives assurance that present activity In iron
and steel may be maintained. Pending con-
tracts for about $1,000 tons of structural
material have been closed, and other orders
are postponed only by uncertainty regard
ing the labor situation. Railway require
ments appear to have no limit, and the
proposed extensions will consume large
quantities of steel. Billets are one of the
scarce articles at present. even imports
being arranged with difficulty. Implement
manufacturers are SURPRISING all records
| in their purchases of merchant steel.
| machine shops are working at full capacity,
| and there is a brisk demand for plates,
pipes and tubes. All leading machinery
markets report satisfactory conditions.
| Trade in hardware is of good volume.
| orders assuring activity for some time and
| especially at the South.