The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-18
WEEKS TRAD s. R EPoRT 1z

WEEKS TRAD E. REPORT. .9sK
A General Activity Makes the Out
look Most Promising.
That the business of the country Is on
a solid foundation is proved by the man
ner in which It 1esists influences that in
other years have been decidedly depress-
ing, says the New York Commercial.
These influences are the reaction that
merchants haye grown to expect. after the
holiday buying is over and uEfavorable
and unreasonable weather. TIE latter was
greatly in evidence during the past week,
but the former, well, merchants according
to the Commercials trade reports, did not
have an idle minute. If they were not
rushed to death they were given all they
could conveniently attend to and all report
that the volume of business transacted
was much greater than during the CORE
spending period in 1885, The best feature
Of the situation, from their. standpoint IS
Z the outlook. This could not be better, and
barring unforeseen circumstances this Will
be the best year enjoyed by them in their
history.EHvhiIe the mercantile end OF the
situation is so favorable, the industrial Is
turing town in the country has prosperity
written over it in letters that can be seen
from afar. The mills and factories have
orders that will keep them busy tor
mon his to come. they are employing more
people and at larger wages than ever oe--
fore, and all this is the most potent factor
in what should be year OF great activity
and profit.
The iobbing trade in Louisville has been
exceedingly active during the past week.
orders coming from all directions. The
dry goods trade is forging far ahead OF
all others, already exceeding those OF 1899
by fully 10 per cent.
The demand In Philadelphia keeps ahead
of the production and jobbers. manufac-
turers and wholesalers are pressed %
meet IT. improvements in buildings and
the installation of new machinery stu
continues.
TIE presence OF the plague at Honolulu
will not keep the entire crop of Hawaiian
sugar out of California. The greater pot
ton does not lie in the infected region
The grain trade is very dull and oil specu-
lation is dragging -
There is general prosperity~an business
in Birmingham and the entire dlstrice IS
in good shape The shoe trade is particu-
larly active.
Manufacturers in all lines in Reading
continue busy and monthly pay rolls are
larger than ever before Many new
furnaces have started up in the past week.
and the output of pig is the largest In the
history Of Eastern Pennsylvania
Trade has been Tagging in ST. LOUIS
during the past week on account of the
continuous rains, and the situation wears
rather depressing aspect. The dry sooos
trade still keeps up. however.
A splendid opening of the New I ear mas
manifested IT. elf in st. Paul ard merchants
in all lines are satisfied with the outlook:
Cleveland has picked up wonderfully
during the past week and all lines seem
to have gained t. cir nominal condition Inc
grocery and drug markets are very Salts
factory.
Los, Angeles. in the far west. has had
week OF great business activity. The snip
ment Of citrus fruits has beei very hea*S,
and the oil development has stimulated AL
other lines of business.
Business in New Orleans continues fairly
active. There is a fair jobbinE demand
with groceries In the lead. The sugar
market has been strong and the dry goods
trade satisfactory.
Boston has no: yet recovered from the
Christmas celebration and general quiet
ress in all the markets. There are, now
ever, no signs of a. decline in prices.
The general trade outlook in Chicago IS
better now than it has been for months
Everything IS picking up and the auFaaes-
ment is confined to no one line. wholesale
grocery and drug trade continue very ac-
tive and machinery men are all in the
best OF spirits The iobbers all report sat
isfactory business
There is a great rush OF trade in Pitts
burg and every line of industry reports
demands that it is almost impossible to
fill. Hardware dealers are particularly
active.
All lines of trade have suffered in Hous-
ton, Tex, on account of recent heavy
rains These rains will be beneficial, now
ever, in starting q new planting season
in a most favorable manner.
Cotton for the mills is now coming in
very rapidly at Fall River, Mass, and
the impression among the mill men is
that the raw material will be higher The
general outlook is encouraging.
Cincinnati has been rather dull durns
the past week. owing to untaVofao'e
yea Their There has, however, been -noth-
ing approaching q stagnation ana bt's'-
ness is expected to improve soon. Dry
goods was less affected than anything and
hardware trade has been fairly active.
Omaha has been rather quiet and there
has been little of interest going on. Inc
jobbing trade shows satisfactory actlvlsE.
This week in Savannah has been "a sreat
fight between the factors and the buyers
over the price Of spirits of turpentlne. me
y, i,e1 their ONint