The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-30
HIGH PRICES HELD
LOCAL TRADE DOWN
Close of Richmond's Business
Year, However, Shows General
Improvement.

Bradstreets (New York; Tomorrow
VIII say for Richmond and vicinity:
Ills week MARKS the closing Oh the
xears trading and, as usual there il
niue ACTIVITY in any line. Many oil
.ile merchants are making their an
nual inventory, and IactorIes are shut
uo mi lof their annual nouse-cieanng
Inc experiences OF those engaged III
mercantile pursuits the country over
ilaVe largely been the experiences OF
local traders. The year mas been one
OF irregular trading, slow collections
anu disturbed finance; however, when
summed UP, with the exception OF a
Few INES, progress is noticeable to q
sreater or less degree. Probably no
one factor in retarding trade has been
as potent as the high prices OF many
Locally, many houses report prog
ress, and a feeling OF optimism is eX-
pressed when looking to the trading
ior the s. coming year Apparently there
trade in the South tnan in any other
section. Manufacturers and iobbers
OF OF shoes report tair years trading.
thoush not up to that of 1909. They,
1911.
The unsteadiness of the hide and
leather markets has affected all de-
pehaent lines. Manufacturers of trunks
ana an Days nave mad the largest volume
OF safes in their experience, and the
aHehiand continues up to the present
Manufacturers and distributors Of
pants. oils and varnishes report an
nave been held down by extremely
hlgh price OF oils. Local drug Houses
nave had the largest years trading in
tnelr history. Building and construc.
.lon work was active during the first
months of the year. but later a de-
crease was noticeable. Trading in
hardware and kindred lines has been
ian, the huctuation in prices in this
,ilhe being less than in many others
manufacturers OF paper and paper
specialties have had a good Years
trading, although the tonnage has not
peeh up TO the average. In this line
manufacturers are sanguine about bus
mess for 1911. Manufacturers OF flour
nave mad a good year, and export trade
WITH them has shown large Increase
Ihey express satisfaction with the
Manufacturers and wholesalers of
groceries and specialties have had a
satisfactory year. though high prices
OF many staple articles has retarded
. TWi purchasing in Urge quantities
have made progress during the year.
and their travellers report encourapinc
prospects for 1911. The high prices
or cotton products in some Instances
lessened the possible profits. Manu-
facturers of tobacco and cigars report
1910 among their best years, both ms
10 sales and profits. and they anttcI-
pate even greater activity during the
coming year. Distillers and distribu-
tors OF malt and spirituous liquors re-
port increased sales for 1910 Mann
lecturers OF woodenware report sub
stantial gains in volume of business
and In profits; they express great con-
naencc IN the good prospects for 1911,
especially in the South.
Local. banks have prospered, and
ready demand for available funds has
not been lacking. Retail dealers, al
ways in touch with the constir,,t mo,
public, have shared in the huctuafions
of trade and it's effects. and while
profits have not been as large as in
some years, the years trading NAV
be classed as fair
Collections have been irregular AL
most beyond comparison, but as Tho
year closes Improvement is shown and
more discounts are being taken.