The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-14
ALL INDUSTRIES
SHOW ACTIVITY
And All Staples are Strong in Price
and Still Gaining.
MANY SYNDlCATES RUM0RED.
bacco Combinc-Ioreign Demand
Keeps Good for Our Wheat and
Cotton-The Steel Trade.

NEW YORK. Jan. 1S.-Bradstreets To-
] morrow will say:
Perhaps the most notable feature Of the
| trade situation at present is the strength
of prices OF nearly all staples, especially
| 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 de-
mand which seems to meet any slight
reaction In values, and which has placed
the price at a point as high as al any
previous time for three months past
This cereal and corn are both ia eXceD-
tionally good demand abroad, judging
from the large exports reported and good
foreign demand, is likewise the secret or
strength in cotton, shipments of which
continue heavy. A feature of dealings
in this staple IS the ready demand ior
good grades and the Indifference mani
tested toward low grades. which, owing
TO the bad weather at the South. are in
larger than usual supply. Cotton manu-
facturers. indeed have been complaining
for some time Of the low spinning quail
tty and waste Of the present crop.
IRON AND STEEL
While large sales Of iron and steel arc
not so numerous as in recent weeks
further advances IN prices. notably pig
iron. steel billets, plates and rods. bear
testimony 20 the eagcrness Of buyers 20
secure supplies ana the almost c0rrc-
spending Indifference of The trade toward
new business. order books of most oil the
mills being reported well hlicd. Pig iron
production is the heaviest ever known.
but stocks show further depletion. The
successful floating OF a number of large
consultations in this industry Of late
has naturally stimulated interest in fuIth-
or consultations.
The formation OF syndicatcs, however.
Is not confined 90 iron and steel. because
within the week there are reports of "a
projected great tobacco syndicate having
for its object the securing of control OF
the entire Cuban supply this year
Among other rumors Of cancellations
IS the story from the Pacific coast of
proposed consolidation of salmon cam
ners. Tin plates show the effect of the
consolidation IN this line Ia an advance
from the low figure reported some months
ago. The strength OF cotton goods is
SIN feature Of the dry good market
but the hope for advance in raw wool
has not yet materialized and the trade in
manufactured WoOlens Is stil slow.
LUMBER TRADE GOOD.
The feeling Of confidence in tho lum-
Der trade IS undated and an active de-
mand us looked for in the spring tho
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
In other industries activity is a fea-
ure. a notable instance being tho
heavy vessel tonnage now being built
both at the lakes and on the sea coast.
aggresating for mercantile and national
purposes total claimed 20 be far I'm
excess Of any previous period I'm the
country's history
GRAIN EXPORTS.
Wheat including -four shipments for
the week aggregate 5dL01 bushels
against 6,S6O253 bushels last week; g.
299.5l7 bushels in the corresponding week
of 1895; 3.94Sl5O bushels I'm 1897: 32O2l2i
bushels in 1896; and 3,564.45g bushels IN
1895.
Since July 1st. this season. the ex-
ports Of wheat aggregate l036Ois BUSH
els against 15I7l2,s01 bushels last year
Corn exports for the week aggregate
?. 2910l2 bushels against ASHES bushels
last week. 4Dil,tIp pusnels ln this week
a year ago; 3,75L2Sl bushels in 1897. $780,
or bushels in 1896 and 65l 81 bushels I'm
1888.
Since July lst. this season. corn OK
ports aggregate S3.09l 800 bushels agienst
SS,444S6 bushels during the same period
a year ago. Business failures for the
week show an increase over the preced-
ing week, numbering 2Si against 237 last
week. but compared with 2o3 I'm this week
a year ago, AS In 1897. 4l2 i'm 1896 and SIS
in 1895.
Canadian failures for the week number
q against % last week. So I'm this week
a year ago, SO in 1897; "A in 1895 and Ga
in 1870