The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-13

the past week was the news Of the proposed
advance in freight rates on canned goods
| and nearly every other article OF merchan-
disc All OF the transportation lines. we are
informed, will soon issue official notice OF ad-
I vanoes in freight rates ranging from 10 per
cent TO IL per cent above the present tarifi
| rates, and, In some instances still higher
rites. the new rates TO become effective OH
January ], 1900 II is rumored also. that the
classification OF canned goods in less than
carload lots will be raised TO third-class in
stead OF fourth-class. as at present There
| are always two sides to every question, and
this question OF advancing freight rates, willy
nily, lie no exception. There is no good rea-
son that We know OF, however, why tho clas-
shcation Of profitable, economical freight,
like canned goods, for instance, should be
advanced. There are many reasons why they
should be reduced 10 the same classification
as those goods which cost the transportation
lines more money to move, and which are
more destructive to their equipment. The
immediate effect will be, It is thought, an
increase In the buying orders for shipment
during the last week In December, so that
the goods will not arrive at destination until
after inventory times.
Latham, Alexander & Co OF New York,
In a circular dated December 8. says:
The average percentage OF the crop mar
ketsd to December In the past twelve years
was o.. IS per cent and as i,5ll,3s1 bales were
marketed this year to the same date. upon
the basis OF the average percentage for the
past twelve years. the total crop this year
will prove to be s.I6l, 1o2 bales.
From the latest numerous advices we have
received from our correspondents covering
all the Southern States We are persuaded
that the crop has not only been rapidly mar
keted, but there is probably much less cotton
in the hands OF the planters today than for
many years past Hence. the amount that
has come into sight December l. In our opn-
ion, can hardly fall below the average of the
past twelve years, aud may exceed 1t.
The maturity of the crop was very early,
picking has been scarcely interrupted since
the season began, and we are assured from
reliable sources that the fields are bare, dill
unusual fact at 80 early date Picking Is
virtually over
The weather has been ideal. the roads ex-
cellent, and as the extremely low prices %
last year caused Indebtedness and disaste,
to thousands OF planters throughout the
South. they very naturally have been stimu-
lated TO ship their cotton to market promptly
this year, especially as conditions have been
favorable and prices have been better than
for two years past,
The consumption OF cotton continues upon
a large scale and the prosperous business now
enjoyed by the spinning interest OF the world
seems assured for a long time. American
spinners, particularly, are nourlshiug, have
little OF no stocks OF goods on hand ay'
the entire product OF many mills sold ahead
far into the spring.
II Is computed that the consumption OF our
home mills will increase 100000 to 100000
haies over last year
Tho prospective stock of cotton is not likel,
to be IN excess Of Tho worlds wants on the
contrary a short supply is probable unless
the overwhelming testimony, as - the short.
ness of this year crop should prove utterly
and consumption greatly diminish
nether Of which seems probable
" should he remembered that large pro-
portion CT last years crop carried over into
This years stock and much Of it We, held In
mo markets Of the world was OF The poorest
qualit' and trashy unsuited 10 the wants of
Tho 1vetage spinner
The cotton trade ~ the world for the now
year PROMISES 10 be satisfactory for All CON
carred
carsill Richardson of Houston say of TO-
day s market:
Liverpool evidently did not put very
oearsh construction upon the governments
report OF yesterday. prices there being about
's-64d lower spot sales 5000 at unchanged
prices In our markets early prices we're
some easier, but later considerable streugtn
was SHOWN, tho market advancing Q points
from the lowest closing at the best, The
movement 10 the ports fell %, 600 short of last
year. put estimates for tomorrow at Hous-
ton ana New Orleans were fairly liberal Tho
semi weekly movement to interior town, To-
morrow is expected to be rather light, which
was one OF the causes OF todays imnrove.
meht. Memphis and Augusta received 81 900
against 5000 last year Good realizing wa,
mo order at the advance today and any FUR
ther improvements will find conslderahIe cot
ton for sale. while on the other hama srst,0r.
WI pc ready 10 take hold at any material
unthne We prefer selling on tho bulges In
anticipation of a liberal movement bosors
the holidays