The herald., 1896-05-17
Local, Eastern and Foreign
Commercial Dealings
WALL STREET SPECULATION
Wheat Prices In France for Six Hundred
Years
veods Ia venexuela-The Great Electrical Ex-
position-Improvement In the Copper
Market-Local Meat Markets

4 history of agricultural prices for SIX
centuries has just been completed IN
France. Wheat started at 25c bushel,
advanced to Coo in 1875, then dropped to
&c In 1900, advancing to S1.36 a hundred
years later, hung around 81 until l725 to 1850,
When 1t averaged 75c but then advanced to
Teaching nearly 81 in 1861 averaging sl.o7
n 1885, and going up to S1.40 as the French
average for 1891. Since then prices have de-
elined to about where they were 6oO years
ago.
Venezuelan papers report the visit to
Caracas of the representatives of several
English and North American mercantile
oouses. who have extended their Journeys
% Valencia, Puerto Cabello and Mara
caibo, 1t is said, with very favorable re-
cults. The trade of Maracaibo is almost en-
tirely in the hands of the Germans, and at
Ciudad. Bolivar though French residents
Dredominate, the principal trade is carried
On by the Germans and North Americans.
The English are nowhere at present as
competitors. Almost the entire wholesale
trade of the country appears to be gradu-
ally settling at Caracas since the opening
Of the various railways leading to the cap
ltal. The French consul calls attention to
the fact that French commerce is gradually
being ousted from Venezuela.-Panama
0tar-Herald.
Electricity is certainly the great factor
in the Industrial and business development
Of this time. 1t must become more and
more so for considerable time to come for
the reason that the application of the cleo
infancy Water courses, winds waves and
artesian wells are to be harnessed to the
dynamo and made to do marvellous things.
The latest issue of Bradstreet's says:
1.-The national electrical exposition was
formally opened a New York city May 4. in
the Grand Central palace. There were del
egates from over 10 900 electric light plants
in tho United States. Governor Morton
was present. The Introductory speech was
made by CHI Wilmerding president of the
National Electric Light association. Mayor
Wurster of Brooklyn was chairman of the
meeting. Ex-senator Commodore Perry
Nedder made an address on the Electric
Fra. Governor. Morton was introduced and
received with enthusiasm. He pressed the
key which was to cause artillery salutes
simultaneously in San Francisco, New Or
leans. st. Paul and Augusta, Me. A few
minutes later messages were received from
San Francisco, New Orleans, st. Paul and
Augusta. Me-, stating that the cannons
had been fred. Aninteresting feature was
the demonstration of the power generated
by the Niagara Falls. The current turned a
model of the power plant In the building.
and, by putting receiver to the ear. the
visitors were able to distinctly hear the
roar of the great cataract 462 miles away"
This electrical development Will be felt
in reflex influence in many branches OF
business. FOR instance. the copper mining
industry was one of the deadest in the list
of depressed interests until very recently.
But a few weeks ago the London West
minister Gazette had this to say:
LAS was anticipated from the recent div
i6end announcement of the Rio Tinto COM
pany the report is of very satisfactory
character. Several incidents have con-
tributed to the bringing about of the favor
able result shown. For one thing. the
earnings were assisted by the better price
Obtainable for copper, the average quota
ing been E42 les 3D. as compared with
Gao Is Sd In 1894.