Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-09
BUSINESS IS GOOD.
LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR HAS
OPENED AusPICIOUsLY.
HOLIDAY DEMAND STARTS WELL.
Collections from Retail Trades,
Therefore. show Improvement
Unsettled By Quarantine.

NEW YORK. December S-Brad-
streets, tomorrow, viii say:
The last month Of the year has opened
auspiciously, finding trade and industry
generally well employed with demand
treading close upon, and even passing
supply, with labor troubles, averted in
some instances by widespread advance
in wages, Of small importance, except In
one or two cities, and with the general
level Of values Of staples at the highest
point reached for eight years past.
The holiday demand has opened well,
and collections from retail trades, there
fore. show some improvement.
THE CEREALS AND COTTON.
The strength Of cereals. notably wheat,
this week. Is a reelection largely OF de-
creased receipts at the Northwest. IN
creases I'm November this year were not
as large, either I'm this country or ABROAD
all, they were one year ago, and to this
tent the outlook is less bearish, and
account of the smaller worlds produc-
0n this year. hopes of well-maintained
lIlces have not been abandoned.
Cotton has lost some of the notable
strength displayed in past weeks owing
,hiefy TO a portion Of the speculative ele-
nent becoming tired, and selling freely
Jn slightly increased receipts. Toward
he close, some strength was noticeable
or improved foreign buying, and the net
change for the week Is not serious.
IRON AND STEEL
After a year Of unprecedented activity
and advancing prices. iron and steel are
quiet, with few significant changes, part
iy because the season Of the year does
not favor new work, and partly, also, on
account Of the fact that producers are
very generally sold up TO the middle Of
next year Prices show no marked
change. plates and sheets being relatively
weakest among the finished products,
while bars are strong.
Copper shows little change. but tin is
lower again. affecting decreasing specula-
tive interest and smaller consumptye de-
mand.
Activity IN hardware Is largely confined
90 holiday specialties, which are eXpe-
riencing an active movement at most
markets.
COAL AND WOOL
The feature OF the coal trade has been
/ the increasing scarcity of bituminOus
grades. some markets being reported
practically bare of supplies.
The strength OF wool is apparently un-
} impaired though demand is quieter.
/ London prices have again moved higher
and the small available supply of fine
! grades supports the belief that prices
| may stil move upward. The granting OF
| a 10 per cent. advance at nearly all the
J large cotton-mills throughout New Eng
| land. on the basis OF census figures,
! would point to an increasing purchasing
| power being secured by nearly 10000
| people
COFFEE TRADE DISTURBED.
The coffee trade Of the country, par
ticularly in New York. has been agtated,
and speculation has been affected by the
delays growing out OF the unsettled sit
( uation Of the guaranteed cargoes from
Santos. More seasonable weather condi-
lions have further stimulated the demand
for boots and shoes az numerous points,
and hides and leather retain all the
strength gained as a result or last
. months general rise.
Notwithstanding the advanced stage of
the season, lumber hardwood particular
". continues in active demand in most
markets.
GRAIN EXPORTS.
Wheat including flour, shipments Tor
tha week aggregate 5l33.33l bushels,
agajnst $50 400 bushels last week. 6seS,9J2
bushels in the CORRESPONDING week OF lSyo
6.2s l5g bushels in 1897, 4,222 IA bushels IN
1se6 and 2.ES323 bushels in 1893.
Since July LIST, this season. the exports
of wheat aggregate 4,3O,2l bushels
against IO3.410,9e4 bushels last year, anc
1l42ll.7Ss bushels in 1878.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
2g3Cg9 bushels. against 4,4n5l4 bushels
last week. .535 bushels this week a
year ago, 1926 81 bushels In 1884, Soil'zS'
I'm 1896. and 2,S9l1si in 1885.
Since July 1st. this season, corn exports
aggregate 100 4OS 7W bushels, against 90,
g35 .2s5 bushels during the same period q
year ago, and Ct %, sos bushels in lsa-sS
FAILURE RECORD.
Business failures for the week 20 N
the United states, as compared with III
last week
business failures in Canada for the
week number 81, as compared with p last
week.