The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-01
They Take a Cheerful View Of the Out
look for the New Year.
THINK BUSINESS WILL IMPROVE.
The Indications Point to Steady Revival
In Various Lines of Trade-Money
Easier and Merchants Have
More Confidence.

largest companies in the South. IL VIII
be seen that each takes a cheerful view
OF the outlook for 1887, and predicts a
STEADY Improvement in business. Inc
railroads entering city are usually
safe criterion of 1he business conditions
yS>,ailing. and 'he fact that the rams
Gortation men here are encouraged at the
prospects for Improvement all along the
line. will be gratifying to business men
generally.
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO.
Mr.. John ID. Potts, ASSISTANT general
passenger agent OF the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railway Company. when interview
ed abou. the business situation, said:
Tho business Of our company for 1886
was good, Notwithstanding the fact that
It, WAS Presidential year. The develop
me,d OF foreign business 10 and from
Newport News during 1896 has probably
been the most notable feature with this
company. Orders have been given for
additions to the floating property and
also for new locomotives, which Is neces-
Fary 70 handle the rapidly-increasing busl-
ness. The last Of the new rails on the
Peninsula division are now being lald'
When this Is finished, the track between
Richmond and Newport News will he OF
7J-pound rail- with splendid rock bed
"For 1897 we anticipate unusual pros
perity A number OF land buyers and
prospectors are already coming into Vir-
ginia from the West and Northwest IN
fact, there is every indication that the
new year via far exceed the present IN
its prosperity. Dew OF our people know
the attention THAI the Hot Springs are
drawing 10 Virginia. The fall season has
been marked by unprecedented Success
hot hnlsIE
will scarcely accommodate the spring pa
tronage. Notwithstanding the handsome
and commodious homestead but recently
completed"
THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY.
Mr.. j. @. Horton, travelling passenger
agent Of the Southern Railway Company,
said that the receipts Of his road were
very good as compared with last year, in
view OF the many unfavorable conditions
that enterprises of this kind have had TO
encounter This being a Presidential
year, said Mr.. Horton. business OK all
classes, with few exceptions has been
demoraIized; in addition 10 this. having
to compare business this year with that
Of last the result IS not just what we
would have It were the comparison made
at any other time. owing TO the fact that
last year the Atlanta Exposition was
held, thereby increasing the receipts Of
the system considerably, being
fortunate enough to have four
lines entering that city, over
which the passenger traffic was enormous
and the revenue large. Not having any
special attraction like that Of last year,
and as lust stated, Generalization OF
business brought on by the election. the
receipts OF my department have held up
ii no off nj
large system have been chosen on ac-
count OF their eminent fitness for their
different departments. They as such have
spared no expense and trouble in giving
to the travelling public the finest and best
train service known to modern travel,
realizing that such service speaks louder
than all the glaring hand-bills that are
often seen strewn over the country.
The outlook both in passenger and
freight departments for the coming year
is very bright. II prompt attention ard
courteous treatment by all OF rs en-
ployes to its patrons win secure patron
age. such patronage will undoubtedly he
forthcoming.
r. 6, P. RAILROAD.
Major r. N. SuIly. superintendent OF
the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad
Company, said:
CAS- 10 the prospects OF 1897. / am IN
clined to take a hopeful view. Among
the most potent factors conducting to the
depression of 1896 was a large accumula-
tive product of preceding years, creating
q surplus of pretty much everything en-
tering into human consumption. For
two years past we hear of mills and fac
tories running on half time or closed
down for long periods altogether Thus.
while production was being diminished
the world has been living on and con-
Stunning the surplus.
Assuming, therefore, that this surplus
no longer exists the year 1891 promises 10
be a period Of activity in all branches
of enterprise accompanied by correspond
ing degree Of prosperity.
"'rhe large increase in the price Of
wheat and the very considerable advance
I'm the price OF cotton means very many
millions TO the producer. The reason
able assurance that there will be no
sudden revolution In our financial system
must inevitably stimulate trade in all
OF its branches and ran fications
Having consumed I'm n large measure
the surplus OF over-production. the banks
having a plethora OF money waiting pro-
fitable investment. II having been de-
clded by the people themselves that there
shall be no radical or violent change
in financial methods. trade and manufac-
ture have a reasonably firm foundation
on which 10 build and operate. Such
being the conditions restored confidence
and healthy prosperity are the natural
results"
FARMvILLE AND POWHATAN.
Mr.. James r. Werth. general man
ager OF the Farniyille and Powhatan Rail-
road Company. said
1.-THE bushes OF the road for the year
1896 showed an Improvement over 1896.
Considering 1896 was an election year the
result was considered encouraging. The
outlook for business during the coming
year Is promising, but we do not look for
anything but q steady Improvement. The
demand for mineral and forest products
seems to be solely for repairs. We hear
Of no new enterprises likely to- require
large quantities of structural material. !
do not therefore expect I'm advance
either in prices or rates Of freight IN
forest products. Considering that more
than 50 percent. of the local tonnage OF
the railroads in Virginia are forest pro-
ducts, we consider the renewal OF this
class OF business as the first evidence OF
returning prosperity.
Farmers are very much depressed.
products are low and buyers are poor.
There is very little money in the country.
hence passenger earnings promise TO be
light until the currency situation Is i'm
proved"
OLD DOMINION S. S. COMPANY.
MIR. John F. Mayer. of the Old Dominion
Steamship Company. said;
Il am disposed 10 take a cheerful view
OF the business prospects for 1881
think that things Will improve slowly.
but steadily and in this improvement