The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-30

producing about 100000 tons weekly and
unsold stocks are reduced 10 i22.929 tons,
and yet orders untitled will require six
10 nine months work from ost OF the
establishments
Prices have not changed the past week,
although demand for some products inn
proved a little.
Industries which depend on individual
consumption have gained less, though
more than population. Consumption OF
cotton has been larger than ever with
an average advance of 29.j per cent in
prices Of goods. though cotton was for
time % per cent. and Is now ~ per
cent. higher than January lst.
Wool has been raised by speculation,
,but has been very largely consumed,
with great demand FOR goods
OF boots and shoes the East has ship
ped 10000 cases. or per cent. more than
at year. and p II per cent. more than
in 1892 but prices, have advanced only
about II per cent. since January LIST.
In all these products trade shows a
continuing strong demand although
quiet in the holiday week.
Failures for the week 22l in the United
States. against 252 last year. and % in
Canada, against - last year
BRADsTREETS REVIEW.
NEW YORK. Dec. 2s--Brsdstreet's re-
View Of the year in business, tomorrow
Will say:
Rarely have sanguine commercial and
financial hopes or predictions FOUND such
adequate realization az they did during
1899. Certainly nothing ike the widespra al
and general upward n Jyement Of Saiu4s,
alike Of staples and Of securities. such
IS occurred during this year could have
been foreseen. Linked with an immense
business and a rec0rd-breaking production
In nearly all iiaes OF business and industry.
except perhaps I'm some products IN agra
cultural interests. there was an increased
staple value which has made the year
notable, and combined. they have served
10 establish The year rs a record breaking
one and set up new standards
The volume Of domestic and Of foreign
trade alike was the largest ever recorded
and The bank clearings REJECTED immense
business expansion. active speculation IN
stocks and immense new Industrial floata-
items. which surpassed all previous
records.
In Industrial affairs the year has been
one Of enormous expansion. Certainly no.
thing like he general advance m wages
OF idustrial employees has been witnessed
for many years. and this has been accom-
pii3hed with q minimum OF friction en-
tnling the year 10 special mention Oh this.
6. on no other account The close Of the
year finds order books filled 10 from three
to six months ahead in nearly an lines.
MANUFACTURES EXPORTS.
Notwithstanding smaller exports Of
agricultural products during the calendar
year. hrsadstuns being l. per cent. smaller
cattle and hogs export II per cent. less
and cotton shipments. owing 10 the short
crop, at least 10 per cent less, there was
such an expansion Of our manufactured
exports that the entire export trade OF
the year viii considerably exceed that
Of the last calendar year. which was the
heaviest recorded. and make the year no
less notable IN the lines OF foreign than In
domestic trade. with a total o. exports IT.
tie less than yi2O0 10000 an aggregate
which II reached will mark gain Of
per cent over the record total Of l>ss
Imports have naturally showed a mark
ed revival. and IL the gains FOR eleven
months Is maintained I'm the month OF De
cember. a total a little below sSoo,o 90
may be expected which would guarantee
a total foreign trade well In excess OF
s.. ,o0.0C0, an amount. IL might be re-
marked. never before equalled.
That the advance I'm the prices Of sta
pies has not been fctluOus ore Or Od1ed
upon arbitrary actions OF commissions
Is evidenced BY the fact that similar
price movement has been maintained
abroad The general Level OF prices in
Egypt. for instance. being higher on
december lat this year than for more
than eight years past.
Dreadstuffs alone. OF all the classes
OF staples, are actually lower now than
they were a year ago. the decline being
about six per cent. On the other hand
the manufactured or partly manufac-
tured products. such as metals, raw and
manufactured. textiles. building materi-
ais. coal and naval stores. have scored
remarkable gains. Metals. as a whole.
are 60 per cent. higher than year aeo.
due largely, OF course. q the upward
rush Of iron and steel prices. which have
all practically doubled In value within
the year.
COTTON AND WOOL.
Raw cotton and wool have made es-
peciaiiy noteworthy advances. and being
among the most depressed Of industries
the textile manufacturing trades have
become the busiest there 10 rsssse -