The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-16
CONDITION OF BUSINESS.
GENERAL OUTLOOK GIVES RESSON
ron ENCOURAGE
Wheat Fairly sieady-Cotfon and Corn
Each Decline some-smsiler Yield OF
Cotton Predicted In Some Localities.

NEW YORK, October l5.-R. G.. Dun
e. Co.'S Review Of Trade will say to-mor-
row.
Foreign trade in September. the heavy
increase in iron production and consump-
ton, and the largest payments through
clearing houses ever known in October
are indications which outweigh some
markets. The increase Of labor has con-
tinued, with further accounts daily OF
works opening, increasing force OF
hands, or raising wages. and at every
point where actual production can be
tested II appears greater than ever be-
fore. Efforts by the Bank OF England
have delayed further gold exports, but
with a cotton movement rising large snip
ments to this side are deemed certain and
not distant. More gold. however, means
less just now than more iron.
The output of pig iron October lst was
2O0,l2S tons weekly against H. 'S2 year
ago. the increase since July LIST having
been % per cent. Unsold stocks have
been reduced at the rate OF 4O.Zu tons
weekly I'm September. indicating con-
sumption exceeding 232 600 tons weekly.
before and 40 per cent. greater than three
months ago. Prices on pig iron hold
steady, though the production has been
further increased since October 1st, and
prices Of finished products gradually rise
with especially heavy demand for plates,
rods. bars, while another contract has
been taken by the Illinois Steel Company
to deliver 80 600 tons steels rails for Japan
and the Pennsylvania Company has
bought 5000 tons.
BREAKS ALL RECORDS.
Ore shipments on the lakes surpass all
records. The Rockefeller company has
contracted for another steamer with two
consorts to carry 10000 tons, the largest
ever built for the lakes. Makers Of black
sheets have raised the price for No. .
to $40. and wire nails are cents higher.
the average of iron and steel products
rising per cent for the week to the
highest point since April sth. Tin plates
are cheaper at $40, with enormous pro-
duction. and copper at ll.l2 cents FOR
lake. with lead at 40. but tin is fairly
strong.
The cotton mills are producin as largely
as cheap cotton invites. and with mode
rate demand print cloths are lower at
pa cents and some grades Of other goods
are slightly reduced.
Sales OF wool for speculation have
greatly decreased. but manufacturers do
not find that current prices are warranted
by their market for goods. though it Is
strong and advancing. Sales OF wool Tor
two weeks have been 24.331 500 pounds az
the three chief markets, OF which l5.3sL-
800 were domestic. and while quotations
are maintained large lots previously with
drawn by consgners are now offered
dor md fQr is
but the prices OF some qualities have ad-
vanced a shade further There is also
some quiet contracting already for heavy
weights.
Wheat has been fairly steady out NOV
ing more largely than last year from the
farms and among the country. Western
receipts 15,1670j4 bushels in two weeks
in October, against 4.2}50lG last year and
Atlantic exports. G,i63.lOl bushels (iour
included as wheat against 4,741,A5 last
year. Willie corn exports were 3,253.3si
against 8 a2J last year. September *
ports of wheat surpass all records
amour ting to z5.SG@ SIS bushels against ~
6iG.S1j last year, owing to high prices the
value being over 100 per cent. larger for
al breacstuffs.
The price of wheat has declined "a OF
q cent and Of corn / per cent. with the
government report Of a yield exceeding
l. 500 600 600 bushels.
Cotton has declined 3-lS TO 6.d cents for
spot. some aGthorties Of repute having
published estimates that the yield VIII
be 9.5O0.OOo bales, but the movement IS yet
retarded by the fever.
Failures for the week have been ~ IN
the United States against 52S last year.
and &c in Canada against 20 lest year
BRADSTREETS.
NEW YORK. oct. 15-Bradstretts to
morrow Will say:
The activity in staple lines Of merchan-
disc IS less pronounced than month
ago due to interior merchants having
supplied their demands for the time.
gradual increase Of the territory, in
cluded by the yellow fever quarantine;
the low price OF cotton, tendency IN the
Missouri River Valley, and spring wheat
States 10 hold wheat for higher prices