The Indianapolis journal., 1904-02-12
GENERAL TRADE OUTLOOK
COLD WEATHER PREVENTS EXPAN-
SION OF SPRING BUSINESS.
Baltimore Disaster Has Not Hurt GEN.
eraI Business and Insurance
Losses Paid without Trouble.

NEW YORK. Feb. f.-Bradstreets tomorrow
will say:
Cold weather is still bar TO expansion in
spring trade throughout the West but Southern
distribution continues notably active and signs
of life are found in leading Eastern markets.
The Baltimore disaster and the beginning OF
hostiIities in the far East though affecting spec
ulative markets to some extent, have as yet not
had notable results on trade outside OF sections
Immediately concerned. though some of the pres
ent great strength of prices of most commodities
may be attributed TO the latter developments.
Trade and industrial operations betray effect
OF conservatism time ago predicted, but
ii is yet too early 10 measure the possible eX-
tent to which the seasons turnover will con-
trast with the exceptionally large business done
in all lines one year ago
Railway operations owing to severe weather
in January, showed decreased gross earnings
following net earnings in December.
Outside of the diversion in some immediate
distribLtiye business from the burned city TO
other markets. the effects of the Baltimore fire
have been strikinSly in contrast with corre-
spending events in the distant past Good man
agement Of the insurance business is illustrated
in the fact that with a possible total loss of
s65.OO0,G0O real embarrassment in meeting OBJ
legations is expected, and the restoring of the
city 10 normal condition is making swift prog
resS- SdltlIncre buyers are In other markets
looking for new stocks, and the effort to hold
that city's spring trade will be energetic.
Country buyers Increasing in number at
Chicago, ST. Louis and Kansas City, but con-
serVati9m in buying is noted. Cold weather pre-
vents outside activities in building, and limits
buying OF material Reports to these centers
as TO Western trade prospects are good and a
good spring trade is anticipated. On the Pacific
coast trade is improving; especial activity in
war supplies, coal. fodder, dried and canned
hsh and flour is noted.
Southern trade reports show the preparations
making for an immense cotton acreage in good
reports from the fertilizer, implement, provisions
and mule markets
In woOlen goods the demand for fall delivery
Is rather backward yet. Raw wool is quietly
hIm' with coarse woods displaying most strength.
Inc iron trade Is Irregular. Pig iron sales are
not large and prices display ease, despite talk
or large transactions in the central West. West
at Chicago and Pittsburg Wire goods plates
business being better situated than year ago.
Steel billets are reported being shaded through
the exchange of scrap and pig iron therefor
Other metals are dull, but are rather irmer.
while lead is strong.
The Eastern shoe trade is rather quieter in
actual demand, but manufacturers are firm in
insisting on better prices, claimed to be necessary
10 defrty higher cost of leather which Is very
firm.
Business failures in the United States for five
days, ending with Feb. TO- number 202 against
2l6 last week. 217 In the like week in 1903 265 in
1907 226 in 1901, and 199 in 1900.