The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-31

I
soon be ready The manufacturer say
that most NJ the retailers have otoe-
stocked themselves because OF the NUMB
erous prCsent-givlng-aWay scenes M
some Of the manufactures. Appended
are a few statements from those Who
represent the different classes Of Toe
business:
puller Than Usual.
Mr. j.. A. p. Thornton, OF the Star
Warehouse Company.
Trade In Leaf tobacco has been much
duller than usual This falL ~ seemf
20 be the consensus OF opinion with most
OF those who are familiar with this bus.-
ness that next year viii be n very great
Improvement over the last one. Crop,
have been very mean. Prices have been
good considering the quality Offered
but buyers have been scarce. and ODE
manufacturers have, therefore been ll.
ing a Eight business. This Is due 90 Us
general depression in all business affairs.
We have had just the same number
Of orders 10 hll, but the quantities Or.
dered have been much smaller than s
customary l have never sen business
so poor. The indications do moi point
to any chance that will make any t.aH-
teal difference In the manufacture u
tobacco other than that sort which ls
consumed in the making OF cigars cole
lections have been slow. and longer time
wanted"
Sales Lighter.
Mr.. Osterloh, Of the Tobacco Exchange:
"The leaf tobacco trade as seen from
n careful study Of the market during
the past year has not been n profitable
one 10 the trade. The financial depres-
sion all through the country has cone
trived 10 make sales light and prices
small. IL has been business which
might properly be called hand CD
mouth existence, and the prospects f1r
next year as viewed from present con-
ditlons are not encouraging. but gene
eral revival OF business Will also tavor-
ably affect tobacco interests. There 81
quite large stock at present iu iIs
warehouses and g large mean crop come
ing 20 market. This will tend 10 make
prices very low 10 the farmer As 10
is a cash business. that IS the rfst
handling OF tobacco IS. the farmers viii
not show up I'm q prosperous light dur
ing 1891. The tariff will not affect the
trade in any way except that general
prosperity viii indirectly give a favor
able impulse TO the sales"
VIII Help the Spring Trade.
Mr.. C. W Saunders, OF c. W. saunders
and Company:
Business he's not been nearly so good
as in 1892. The tightness OF the money
market has obliged merchants 10 work
Of their old stock. SO that they arf
row carrying a light stock and Only haF
when they are obliged 20. IL the n1n
fill IS passed a. will help the slrir6
trade, but n suspense I'm passing me
tariff bill will ruin all hopes for hy
sort OF trade Merchants VIII nor know
how 10 buy. and II will paralyze ~
trade generally. collections m at
branches OF the trade have been poor
during the season. I think business
has not been as poor fo- the Seventeen
years / have been connected with N
Brighter Times Expected.
Mr.. Anllhser. OF Millhlser and Conc
pany:
which is the only branch OF the tobacco
trade we handle Is much below maj OK
last year. | would attribute this 10 ah
overlooked market. by means 81 lh-
creased and forced sales. as re-
sult OF giving-away schemes Introduces
10 aid I'm the disposal Of certain bfanas
OF cheroots. Clocks and every other soit
OF presents have been givel away 70 M
troduce goods. This had made the stock
OF nearly every merchant Who handles
eheroots very large. We have had no
complaint 10 make OF collections; they
have been very good so lar as We are
concerned. / think we will have better
times as soon as the tariff IS settled
They may come before that, but l see
nothing TO foreshadow IT,"