Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-08
THE WEEKS TRADE.
some Improvement 1t the South, Say the
commercial AGENCIES.
By telegraph to the Dispatch)


says: 1t IL dificult to detect any signs
OF Improvement. While there has been
some addition 20 the number OF manu-
featuring establishments and the num-
Der OF hands at work during the past
week, II Is becoming painfully clear that
the orders obtained do not suffice 10 Keep
employed at full time even the limited
force at present engaged. The business
transacted Is still far below that OF last
year In volume. In railroad earnings the
decrease being LOG per cent. in spite or
the large Worlds Fair business, ana IN
payments through the principal clearing
houses outside of New York the decrease
is 26.0 per cent. Reports from other cities
disclose a distinct check in business.
There IL, on the whole. less activity ana
less confidence regarding the future than
there was week ago. and this Is IN
many cases attributed to the uncertainty
regarding the monetary future, wnlch
the delay In the Senate causes
While the volume OF all kinds OF money
in circulation has increased sH,5n,2H dur
ing the month of September. and Is now
greater by almost S106, 900 than IL was
this time last year, the embarrassment
Is now, as 1t has been all the time. due 70
"A lack of confidence rather than to lack
OF currency. The stock Of money In Ney
York banks has increased rapidly and
the retirement Of clearinghouse certif-
Gates here and at other cities, shows
great Improvement in the monetary SIT
uation. and yet there Is but little increase
perceived in that confidence upon when
commercial and Industrial loans mainly
depend.
There ia no such announcement as
might be desired in the Industrial reports
for the week. In almost every DEPART
ment orders are found two small to Keep
n
pIoyed Many concerns are working
short time. while the general reduction In
wages also affects the purchasing power
Of the millions who still have WORK. An
increased number of establishments Is
IL reported in operation, but the sagglng
OF prices IN print cloths and some other
cotton goods, and I'm the most important
products OF iron and steel discloses great
~ retarded business.
1t Is possible that the surplus currency
In circulation has its natural effect In
stimulating speculative activity.
Happily. the changes thus FAR nave not
diminished the export OF products. which
continue fairly large. Failures continue
10 decrease in number and Importance
though not as much as has been hoped.
The number reported In the United states
$40 fUr the 'sme week la year.
MORE CHEERFUL REPORTS.
Bradstreets review says: Slightly
more cheerful reports from the leading
Southern trade centers. largely due 10 a
frecr movement Of cotton and the ad-
vance I'm price Of that stapls, coupled with
more numerous advices OF improved trade
distribution at W.s IN and Northwestern
ccnters. constitute the principal points OF
interest I'm kilograms TO Bradstreets TINS
week.
Trade was interrupted at New orleans
and Mobile by the disastrous cur storm
early I'm the week, but late adVlces are
10 the effect that the staple crops have
not been materially damaged. There is
very general report Of slightly improved
collections from the South. coupled with
the statement that October lst settle
ments have been fairly well met Naval
stores have strengthened both in demand
and price.
The Texas trade reports are more IA
vorablc, except that at Galveston conscr-
vatsm IN granting credits has restricted
the distribution. a good supply of funds
for moving the cotton crop Is generally
reported The dry-goods demand is below
the average at Boston and Philadelphia
The demand for iron and steel is still
limited by immediate wants Prices tend
lower and cash purchasers make their
own terms
Reports as to collections class them
generally as only fair Indications OF i'm
provement in this direction come chiefly
from the South.
The financial situation AT New York
Is affected by the delay and uncertainty
as to the Se1ate's action, the further
increase IN the supply OF loanable funds
being attended by conservatism in putting
them out. Foreign exchange weakened On
Of
The New York stock market Is waiting
for the outcome Of the repeal-bill debate,
speculation being at a standstill. though
prices are steadied by the absence OF
liQuidating pressure and the ease OF thc
call Of the loan market
Damage by the great Gulf storm ap-
pears to have been largely confined 10
the region south of New Orleans Trade
there has been interrupted, but crops
have not been materially damaged.
Cotton and rice sell freely. The first
now sugar is expected this week.
At Mobile the interruption of business
has been less than was expected. Al Cal
weston trade is restricted by the caution
Of iobbers and wholesale houses in Sc
lecting customers and granting credits.
Cotton moves freely at improved prices
At Savannah naval stores are very hrm
and tend upward. Cotton moves freely al
higher prices. ColIeCtioHS are Hlp'pNihb'
There Is a better tone at Charleston.
Collections are better. october paper ha-
been fairly well.
Trade is improving at Dallas and at
other points in Texas. Some cotton Is
being held for higher prices. Inc
wheat acreage is being increased. Banks
are handing all the cotton offered.
A careful feeling prevails at Memphis
and a moderate increase in business IS
reported. Actual needs govern the de-
mand at Nashville. Hardware ana gro
ceries are more active. AS whole, busi-
ness for the summer and fall VIII be be
low the usual volume. Collections Snow
scarcity of money
Collections are not good at Atlanta
Retailers and manufacturers report no
material improvement. Dry goods ahC
hardware are I'm better demand at Chat-
tanooga. Heavy liquidations on OCTOBER
LIST have resulted satisfactorily 10 Augusta
trade Collections are improving. fro-
visions are In strong demand. Dry goOus
and shoes also show Improvement. Cot
ton receipts are ahead OF last year. Fac
tors and buyers experience little trouble
I'm getting funds to handle the crop y
better demand is reported at Richmond
i,,t colecticne a re- SIN far from GOOD.