Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-14
STRENGH OF PRIZES
A NOTABLE FEATURE OF THE
PRESENT TRADE SITUATION.
The FINE REPORT OF BRADSTREETS.
Corn and Wheat Both In Great De-
mnnd ADMINISTRATION Production
Is the Heaviest Ever known-Pro-
iectec Cuban Tobacco Corner.

NEW YORK. January 3.-Bradstreets
tomorrow will say. Perhaps the most
notable feature OF the trade situation at
present is the strength of prices OF nearly
all staples. play Of cereals, cotton. iron.
and steel, which have apparently gained
further ground since the first Of the year.
Explanation of the strength Of wheat is,
OF course, found in the good cash demand
which seems to meet any slight reaction
in values, and which has placed the price
at a point as high as at any previous
time for three months past This cereal
and corn are both in exceptionally good
demand abroad, judging from the larre
exports reported, and good foreign de-
mand is likewise the secret of strength
in cotton, shipments of which continue
heavy. A feature Of dealings in this
staple is the ready demand Zoe good
grades. and the Indifference manifested
toward low grades, which. owing TO the
bad weather at the South are IN larger
than usual supply. Cotton manufac-
turers, indeed have been complaining for
some time of the low spinning quality
and waste of the present crop.
IRON AND STEEL.
While large sales of iron and steel are
not so numerous as in recent weeks FUR
Their advances in prices, notably OF pig
iron, steel bliiets, plates. and rods bear
testimony TO the eagerness OF buyers 70
secure supplies, and the almost corre-
spending indifference Of the trade toward
new business, order books Of most Of the
mills being reported well filed.
Pig-iron production Is the heaviest ever
known. but stocks show further deple-
ton. The successful floating of a num-
| Der Of large consultations In this Industry
of late has naturally stimulated Interest.
PROTECTED TOBACCO SYNDICATE.
The formation of syndicates. however,
| is not confined to iron and steel, because
within the week there are reports or
projected great tobacco syndicate, having
| for it's object the securing OF control OF
the entire Cuban supply this year.
Among other rumors of consultations
is the story from the Pacific coast Of
proposed consolidation of salmon Gamers.
Tin plates show the effect Of the CONSOLE
dalton in this line in an advance from the
low figure reported some months ago. The
strength Of cotton goods is still feature
of the dry-goods market. but the hope
for advance in raw wool has not yet ma
terialized, and the trade in manufactured
woolens is still slow.
The feeling OF confidence in the lumber
trade is undated, and an active demand
is looked for in the spring, the strength
OF hardwoods being particular feature.
Prices for boots and shoes are held
steadily, and the outlook is regarded as
favorable. Leather, too, is firm, and hides
are in sympathy.
ACTIVITY IN MANY INDUSTRIES.
In other industries activity IS a feature
a notable instance being the heavy vessel
tonnage now being built both at the lakes
and on the sea-coast, aggregating fol
mercantile and national purposes a tota
claimed to be far in excess OF any pre-
vious period In the country's history.
Wheat, including -four. shipments foi
the week aggregate 5.6i7,0 bushel,
against $3.50 2s3 bushels last week; 5,2995l
bushels in the corresponding week of 1898
3,9iS150 bushels in 1897; S2O2,12i bushels IL
1885, and 1864, 459 bushels IN 1895
EXPORTS OF CEREALS.
Since July LIST, this season, the export
OF wheat aggregate lS4,O56.0$ bushel
against 1872 sol bushels last year.
Corn exports for the week aggregat
3,2s7,072 bushels against 4SA,2sS bushel
last week 4Gn, $50 bushels in this wee
a year ago, 3,7572S1 bushels I'm 1897, 1886
OF bushels in 1885, and Col ,257 bushels 4
1895
Since July list, this season, corn export
aggregate s3,O91 500 bushels against So
44,4s6 bushels during the same period
year ago.
Business failures for the week show a
increase over the preceding week, mum
bering 3Si against 237 last week, but com
pared with 1913 in this week a year age
AIS in 1897, 4i2 in 1896, and 37S in 1895. Cana
dian failures for the week number 8
against 20 last week, So In this week
year ago, 80 in 1897, "a In 1896, and Ga il