The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-13
WEEKLYTRADE REVIEW.
COOLER mEATHER ACCELLERATES
DYsTRFBUTrON or TINTER GOODS.
Railroad Earnings show Increase over
Several Years fast-Nheat FocoN-
snng-Heavy Expectation,


Colder ana more stormy weather, so
long needed TO accelerate distribution oil
winter goods. has materially helped IN
some quarters and the resulting improve
snent In retail trade IS mentioned ih
nearly every Northern dispatch ms
week. so that orders 10 fll stocks have
teen encouraging, and in some branches
tho multitude of demands for immediate
delivery show that tho distribution TO con-
sumers has already gone much beyond
the expectations OF dealers. But THIS Is
not yet tho general rule, and with many
complaints of delayed trade from other
onarters there suI remains the extern
ave shfiukaco caused hy i-vtr and quar-
autinos al the South. 10 is. therefore, inc
moro surprising that the volume Of ali
navmenfs through clearinghouse com
tinirs about as large as in 1872. and 1871
per cent larger than last year
RAILROAD EAININGS.
Railroad earnings also nearly equal
those of 1852 for the first week OF Novem-
Der. and hale the mileage IN the United
states shows earnings I'm october Of 500
1895. or so per cent. larger than last
IT.
Speculative markets felt disappoint-
rnent. because prices do not rise faster
but b. is fortunate for producers and deal
crs that the experience OF some past years
iu that respect has not been repeated.
There is nothing 10 cause general reaction.
The purchasing power Of the people IS
gradually increasing. and after the lul
which follows. extensive Teplcnishmcnt OF
stocks trade should give ample evidence
Of shat increase.
The output of iron furnaces November
is. was 2I3.159 tons weekly, against 200l-9
october 1st, q gain of 81 per cent, and
unsold stocks decreased 1880 TONS in
October. indicating "a larger consumption
IN manufactures than ever before even
when tho output Of pig was pushed by
swiftly advancing prices TO the highest
roint. 2I76S2 tons. November ]. 1895.
Prices OF iron products rose that year 553
nor cent. but arc now not 4 per cent.
higher than juno 9th.
The enormous output with some more
furnaces started in November. causes but
"a slight decline I'm Bossemer pig, &025 at
plttsburg witt no decline In other pig
there. al tho east or Chicago and no fan
in finished products except shade in
angles.
DELIVERIES BEHIND.
while most mills have orders for the
rest Of the year and in sheets and some
other branches are far behind In de-
llverios. new Orcdrs are few but include
one for 1000 cars at Chicago and ono
for 400 at Pittsburg. another for an
armored ship at Chester and for three
schoonors here many for bridges, some
for the drainage canal at Chicago, a
lively demand for hoops and large OK
port business with q quantity OF bars
for Asia
Woolen mills generally have orders
for three months ahead and arc not
seeNing further engagements. Large
sales Of speculative lots Of wool AT prices
not stated suggest that Il may be lower
before the mills need further orders. A
year ago. the price began TO mount.
with heavy speculation and has risen 80
per cent. without reaction in quotations
while tho rise In goods averages but
"A per cent. The decline in cotton. and
the slow demands for goods, owing I'm
part 10 warm weather, have led cotton
mills 10 confer about curtailment of pro-
duction and further reductions have been
made in brown shcetings and drills
prints. and by jobbers I'm hieachod goods
cotton declined an eighth 10 5S cents
for middlng uplands and both exports
and taking OF spinners have been large
Wheat dropped over two cents. but
has since risen as much with heavy buy
ing for export. Western rcccints con-
tnue heavy I'm two weeks 1492S.0 07 BUSH
els against 1851 1872 last year. while At
lantic exports flour included have been
G562. O25 bushels against 1921 231 last year.
An English authority reckons the
worlds yield at 16l 100000 bushels less
than last year which would mean n mar
ket for all this country has TO spare.
Corn exports are again larger than last
year and the price has risen 5-S cent.
late prices OF means do not indicate that
farmers have as yet much inducement TO
save corn for feeding
Failures POI in tho United States
against 276 last year and "a in Canada
against &C last year
Bradstreet's.
NEW YORK, Nov 12.-Bradstreets to-
morrow will say:
one Of the most significant features Of
the business situation is found I'm the
continued heavy weekly totals OF bank
clearngs, that for six business days dur
ing the week ending November nth
amounting to Sl.3i7,OO0 900. an increase OF
10 per cent. over the preceding week and
13 per cent. compared with the second
week OF November. 1906. when business
began 10 revive sharply In speculative
lines.
Railroads gross earnings show smaller
gains as comparisons begin to be made
with more nearly normal conditions Of
year ago. The total October earnings OF
l2l companies representing 100000 miles
or road. aggregates S55 COZ 239, a gain OF
S5.000OO0 over September and Q per cent.
over October a year ago. This gain COM
parcs with gains Of u per cent in Sep
TENDER and 1875 per cent in August over
corresponding periods I'm 1896. The South
western and Central and Southern roads
make the best showing
other favorable features arc the con-
tinued frmness OF and activity i'm wool,
iron and steel The heavy output of iron
and moderate reduction I'm stocks last
week suggest the improbabilty OF the
advance In prices of iron and steel next
year which so many have hoped FOR.
The slight reaction I'm the price of cot
ION I'm view OF the extreme depression
from which that staple has been sub
iccied. attracts attention as the possible
beginning of the end OF the prolonged
decline. Already there IS an Improvement
ln the price and demand for cotton yarns.
Unfavorable influence I'm price movements
This week arc declines for cottons and
print cloths. the latter touching the low
tst price on record
Whca; lard. and lead are also lower.
ana Wire mans nave poen shaded. 1nere
D. long nst of staples Tor winch prices
are practically unchanged. The more inn
poriant advances are confined TO lndlan
corn oats. hops. and turpentine.
Colder weather in the Central West and
Northwest mas simulated demand Tor
winter goods, particularly clothing.