Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-26
REVIEW OF TRADE.
YEAR OF BLESSINGS ENDING WITH
CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE.
FAILURE OF RAIL CONTRACT.
A Working Compact Said to Have
Been Made. I'm Which, However,
More Confidence II Expressed Than
IL Felt.

NEW YORK. November 25.-Messrs r.
.. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade
VIII say tomorrow:
Thanksgiving In 1898 means more than
Tor thirty years. The harvest home
mas never recognized larger hopes in this
country. The general prosperity is at
tested by the largest volume of business
ever recorded. The peoples verdict has
gwen reason TO hope that the soundness
OF the currency and the nations honor
VIII not again be in peril, and a war
not matched in history for swiftness of
success. with smallness of loss, has
brought more perfect union than ever
between North and South, and closer
bonds than ever with kin beyond the
sea- ending with the most important
increase Of territory since California was
added 10 the Union.
The year, so exceptional In magnitude
and variety of blessing. draws near its
end with yet another good gift, a marked
increase of confidence in prospects for
the year which is 10 close the century.
INDUSTRIES DOING WELL.
The industries are doing remarkably
well, considering hindrance until of late
by unreasonable weather. With storms
and cold, many branches now get larger
orders. There has been more liberal buy
ing of cotton goods, in part because OF
last weeks reductions In bleached goods,
and the curtaiment OF production in
print-cloths has caused an advance
of sixteenth, while the export demand
supports heavy brown goods and all are
helped by the feeling that cotton has
probably seen its worst. Yet wide sheet
ings are still irregular, and some per
cent. lower. There is slight improve
ment in recorders for mems spring
woollens. though neither jobbers nor
clothiers have been buying freely The
bulk of the demand is for medium, plain
fabrics, especially serges and clays, but
| high-grade goods are quiet. More is do
ing in dress goods but not enough for
producers. The sales of wool have been
IS. 975. 600 pounds for four weeks, including
about 5000 900 for export, but mostly at
concessions, which have been this week
little increased on fine, unwashed
fieeces.
When the steel-rail contract was ready
for final signature, the withdrawal OF one
large company killed 1t, but working
compact is nevertheless said to have been
made. apparently a sort Of gentlemens
agreement, in which more confidence is
expressed than is felt The market for
| Bessemer grows stronger at Pittsburg,
| and Grey forge advances to $9.25. Billels
at Pittsburg are in heavy demand at
| Sl525, and steel bars at SIG. The Edgar
! Thompson Works have started on rails,
with three or four months orders ahead.
! Chicago works have booked further Or
| ders for plates, including one for LOW
| tons. and statements by the Iron Age
| show that bids for the $1,000 tons needed
/ in the Colgardie Pipe Lines, with other
/ heavy export contracts, are hindered only
/ by an ocean freight syndicate.
WHEAT AND CORN.
Wheat has again advanced a shade
! 1-2c. on spot during the week. ReceiPts
| are heavy for four weeks, having Deen
| 9S OS4. POI bushels. against @1l9,lW last
year. The Atlantic exports hour lnclud-
| ed) have been 3957S7 bushels Tor the
| week. against 3,528.4i6 bushels last year ;
| Pacific exports, BLISS bushels, against
| I COG $50 bushels last year; making lot
1 three weeks Of November 1S.6i2O6o bush-
ols against 15 1875 200 bushels last year.
/ While Atlantic shipments exceed iast
! wars a decrease from the Paclnc aitects
/ this market but little.
/ Moreover. corn exports continue heaFy-
in four weeks 10,5S21S bushels, against
q 22S 7SS bushels last year. lifting the price
as of cent. and showing continued
/ demand for nearly five months, almost
eoual ia the unprecedented demand OF
| last year. -. ,,oo,, ,os On
| the United States, against 20 last year
/ ana q in Canada. against % last year.