The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-02-24
To Be Held in Baltimore in
March Are Expected by
Baltimore City.


Especially - Baltimore merchants
from reports received from their rep
resentatiyes who are travelling in
Southern States, especially those OF
the south, are preparing for large
spring trade. Spring goods are now
being sold, but the season has only
been on a few weeks, 1t being later
than in other years. However, from
the articles being bought and from
the orders being received from their
travellers. the local merchants be-
lieye that, despite the financial strin-
gency last fall, the trade win equal
that of former seasons. Some of the
merchants say that the business
thus far done is up to the standard
of last year, and they feel that with
the advertising Baltimore is getting
the business will be as good, il not
better than before. Many new nc
counts have been opened with local
houses and the collections are more
prompt than a few months ago.
While the merchants calculate re-
ceiving large orders they feel that
the prosperity convention to be held
here March to z, under the au-
spices of the Travellers and Merch-
ants Association, will attract
thousands of buyers who otherwise
would not come to this market.
There are numerous inducements
offered to out of town merchants
through the holding of this conven-
ton that should be the means of
bringing business to the local job
bers. Reduced rates have been
promised by several Of the railroads
and steamboat companies and the
delegates to the convention viii
have time enough to do their spring
buying between the different sessions
and can do their buying and save
railroad fare as well as trade with
Baltimore as cheaply, II not more
SO, Than in other cities. That there
will be no lull in the buying by
Southern merchants who deal ex-
tensiyely in Baltimore, is indicated
In statement by Mr.. r. Musgrave
Nelson, who has represented the
firm of Haywood Brothers & Wake
field Company. manufacturers OF
chairs, reed and rattan goods and GO
carts in the South since 1878. Mr..
Nelson says:
"A careful review Of the condi-
tons in the South is encouraging.
My experience has been that with
good crops and fair prices the de-
mand for all kinds of commodities
is active. The South was peculiar
ly blessed last year. The cotton
crop is the most valuable ever rails
ed in the history of the country,
amounting to about 1875, 900, 900.
The season for picking was excep-
tionally favorable and much is yet
In the fields. The number of bales
do not equal some yields of a few
years ago, but the enhanced price
more than offsets the shortage in
pounds. Some years ago the farmer
was compelled to sell his cotton as
soon as 1t was ginned in order to
pay his debts for advances made by
his factors, the crop having been
made on credit. Such sales were
usually made on a lower price than
obtained later in the season, and the
producer reaped little benefit from
rising market. Today the farmer
has gotten forehanded enough to
hold his crop for better prices and
he is now obtaining from eleven and
a half to twelve and half cents for
his products
The tobacco section is also in
quite as good condition as the cot
ten belt. The crop is a good one:
1t weighs heavy and is bringing ex-
cellent prices. 1t started to move
in November, but the clearing house
certificate was more than the to-
bacco raiser could swallow and he
held on to his tobacco. AS soon as
the roads will permit we expect to
see Lynchburg, DanYille, winston
selam, Greensboro, Durham, Raj
eigh and all of the towns in the to-
bacco country have good business.
The crop of tobacco for 1907 is es-
timated to be worth about $4,000
900.
THE most important factors in
producing prosperity in Dixie are
good crops and buyers. The first is
self-evident and the latter are now
coming into the lime-light.