Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-01
DANyILLE.
A satisfactory Past ind n Cheerful
Outlook.

DANVILLE, VA, December a.-(Spe-
cial)-A review of the business year in
Danville very appropriately opens with
retrospect OF the tobacco interest, this
city being one Of the acknowledged marts
of the State for this important product.
The following excerpt from the report OF
the president of the Tobacco association
gives in succicnt form the transactions
for tie fiscal year:
"The Danville market has sold during
the year. through her eight warehouses,
~ lGi, al pounds Of loose leaf tobacco for
s. S6i, S2l74, being an average Of S7H Fer
cwt. This shows an Increase Of 2,77l.0S
pounds over last years sales (Which was
a record year,, and an increase in the
amount realized therefor Of $3.50, S3S.61
which is an increase i'm the average price
realized by the farmers of S135 per Ncwt.
Il think the amount Of leaf handled by
our buyers, other than that which was
sold through our warehouses, can be con-
servatlvely estimated at 100000 TO
100000 pounds. which will make the total
amount of leaf handled on our market
foot up in the neighborhood Of, say,
100000 to 6j.000o00 pounds"
Since the close OF the fscal year, on Oc-
tober list, sales for the three months have
been 16, 425,ll6 pounds, against 16,62S, 532 for
the same months i'm 1897. showing de-
crease Of 2O3 ZIG pounds. This slight fall
ing off has no significance, and the best
posted men in the trade predict larger
volume OF sales for 1899 than ever before
In the same period.
Ruring the year the r. j. Reynolds
Company established leaf factory here
In the building occupied by Gravely &
Miller, who failed early in the year. the
new acquisition offsetting the allure.
There have been no other notable changes
in the trade, except the building of an
other large warehouse, which Will be
opened for business early in the new year.
The Riverside Cotton Mills (siN in num-
ber), giving employment TO sevetal tfou-
sand operatives, will make !ts annual
statement on January 18th. 1t will show
increased use Of the raw product, In
creased production. increased sales. and
an increase in the volume Of wages paid
out. These mills never stop. nlght or day,
except on sundays, unless on account OF
low water, which is the motive-power In
use There has been no extension of the
cotton-mlll plant. but it IS probable that
the new year will witness "A greater de-
velopment Of the water-power, plans Tor
which are now under consideration.
In the general industrial field new
force mas come into prominence during
the year-the Business Mems Association,
an organization embracing every leading
businessman in the city. IT has hand
some offices and competent paid secre-
tarv. Its work has been largely educa-
tional heretofore, but in the past two
months IL has taken the initiative In pro-
iects that mean much for the benent OF
the commercial community.
In conjunction with the Tobacco Asso-
citation. the Business-Men's Association
has undertaken the extension OF the TO-
bacco export business in the Old World
an a metropolitan scale. This export trade
is already large. and for the year has
been larger than ever before in similar
period. 49,,
Activity in the building trades has been
marked during the year. wealthy ana
nrosnerous businessmen have Quit
number of costly residential structures.
The construction or rebuilding of business
house has kept many workmen engaged.
Tba bie schoolfield, Boatwright & Co.
factories. destroyed by fire, are rapidly
rohuIIding. the Normandie Hotel, also
burned some months ago, VIII De READY
for occupancy shortly.
The Southern railway is making pans
Cor n new passenger depot, which VIII be
erected In 1883.
The general outlook is for steady SUD-
stantiaI growth during the coming year.