The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-31
J0BBING TRADE
HAD A GOOD YEAR
The Volume of Business Shows a
Large Increase.
ESTIMATED AT 80 PER CENT,
Prices Are at n Higher Eangc-Coi-
Iections We're Much Better-Fewer
Bad Debts Made-The Outlook
is Regarded as Very Bright.

Richmond's growing importance as a
! wholesale jobbing centre received an i'm
| petus in 1899, the year showing marked
| improvement over the like period imme-
| date,y preceding. II was consevatiyeiy
estimated by several prominent whole
saleTs last week that the volume Of busi-
ness was greater by thirty per cent. than
| It was during 1898. Prices are uniformly
/ higher Collections were better. There
were fewer bad debts. The outlook is ex-
ceedingy bright.
DRY GOODS AND MOTIONS.
Mr. W. A. williams. secretary OF the
Drewry-Hughes Company, wholesale dry
| goods and notions, said:
1--WE are very much pleased with the
years business. Ii was better WIN Us
than it was during 1895. The increase mas
been nearly thirty PER cent. in the volume
OF our business. We had out more men
| on tho road, but the generally prosperous
| conditions prevailing everywhere JUSTIFIED
the addition 70 the force u drummers. all
| OF whom TUNED in orders which, IN the
aggregate. broke all records since we
have been in business. We have found
| collections better, and contracted fewer
bad Ce5ts.
The outlook for big spring trade IS
very bright. our men will start out the
first week In January. II has already
been published that W. VIII erect new
building in order 10 accommodate our
growing business"
Wholesale PRODUCE.
Mr.. Joseph WaLerstein. president Of the
Wallersteln Produce Company, views the
condition Of trade with n great deal OF
pleasure and contrasts the outlook Tor
the New Year with the prospect at the
beginning Of the last to the decided advan-
tage Of 1900.
"Produce men" he said. have had a
good year The volume Of business, upon
which profits depend, has been much
larger than for 1898. Prices have ranged
considerably hi her-perhaps % or 80 per
cent. all around. The higher prices nave
naturally benefited the farmer ana
trucker. who realized more on their pro-
ducts"
PROSPEROUS YEAR.
NJ. Rosenbaum & Co, wholesale dry
goods and notions. found the year ls.3
very prosperous one The volume OF bus-
mess was considerably larger. The hrm
has not waited Tor the New Year before
sending the men cut on the road. our
drummers are now hustling for spfinS
business and we expect TO eclipse pas.
records In the amount of business we
handle I'm 1900" it was said at the office
last week -,.
STEPHEN PUTNEY e COMPANY.
We think that We all have special
ground for conEratu-ation.
As for stephen Putuey q CO. we neg
to state that our business has been most
satisfactory. We have gone INTO new Ter
ritories Win marked success. we Lao
that Richmond goods are looked upon WIN
great favor We Encountered no diIlcni'y
In placing our goods IN far-dway Ter
rltorles that have been considered the be-
longings o. other markets. We have acted
upon The belief that Richmond location
enables Richmond 20 enter the entire Suih-
orn cid wi "a b o ute certainty Of succt S.
It, of course requires much enterprise, Dc
cause when trespassing upon the terri
tories Of others, II must be done IN
most solid and substantial way yet II il
is done in such q way. nothing put the
NEST satisfactory results should follow
If YOU viii allow US to state. We bes
TO inform you thar our increase i'm ls55
over 1895 IS something very handsome,
giving us an annual business for 1883 mat
is particularly gratifying.
As for 1909. we see nothing to cause dis
turlance in mercantile lines; yet We reel
that ills same gOOd business caution mat
should always be used, should prevail 10
prevent running away with ourselves.
The surplus stocks Of raw material OF
an Kinds have certainly been in Nery
large measure made into manufactured
goods, and so far as our observation goes,
these manufactured goods have not more
than taken care Of the demand. therefore
the raw material stocks certainly must
not be large We see 40 reason why any
change of prices that viii seriously mlect
the seller should take place, yet We
would not be surprised 20 find ,eveling
OF OF prices, and probably shading OF
some lines.
]. s. MOORE
A comparison Of the business conditions
existing az present and that have pre-
vailed throughout the year Just ended
shows n marked imrovement and increase
over those Of 1895. The trade In kich
mond in the iobbing and manufacturing
line particularly dur ng the last three
months. has been phenomenally large, as
COMPARED with the corresponding months
of t1e previous year and the outlook for
1850. with its gold standard assured, giving
us a stable and fixed basis OF values. bids
fair 10 surpass the year just closed ID
Industrial enterprises and business opera
tons
Not only Is Richmond. but The whole
country is sharing in the returns Of pros
psrlty, and the people nave good grounds
for congratulatlon and thankfulness. our
foundries and machine shops are in full
blasts. Cur manufactures are busy. New
buildings. employing a large force Of
worknen. are in progress ef construction.
The retail trade OF OUT city II IN a healthy
and prosperous condition ana the toobing
trade more eneourag NJ han for severa
years. not Only beins benefited by local
conditions, but extending rs trade In al
directions No man need te Idle who IS
willing 10 work and when the peope are
all at work. prosperity and happiness pre-.
walls. The voice Of the Free silver orator
is 10 ,onger heard In the land The co
herts Of ca'am ~ have been rortcd! The
grumblcr has been siicnccd. TIE pessa-
mist has a hopeful smile. and we dare
say the Christmas just passed was the
brightest and most enjoyed for many
years. with that conservatism and alb
sence OF stock speculation and wild cat
schemes that characterizes the business
men. Richmond has every reason to look
forward to 1900 with hope and confidence
Fer future lies Ia the development OF
manufactures and diversified industries
and the utilization OF her water power
with its adjunct electricity.
WINGO. ELLETT < CRUMP.
Our business for the year 1899 shows
very marked Improvement over 1885. While
competition has been close and profits
small. yet the volume of business has
somewhat compensated for the close mar
GIN OF profits.
Our sales FOR the year Just closed show