The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30

probably larger than for the same
period of any preceding year.
In the pig iron industry, 466 blast
furnaces had a capacity. at the begin
ming of the year, of forty-three million
tons and these furnaces produced last
year thirty million tons, leaving an
unused capacity of thirteen million
tons. The production for October WAS
2,546 thousand tons and for the year
to date, 265O2 thousand tons Novem-
Der and December may show slight
decline from the production of the
past three months, but If the same
rate of production should continue,
the years output Will be nearly
thirty-two million tons.
The untitled tonnage of the United
States Steel corporation, at the close
OF last month, was Asia thousa nd
tons compared with 1884 thousand q
year ago and 1894 thousand two years
ago. The untitled tonnage of the
leading independent companies stands
in about the same relation to previous
figures. The steel production of the
country is almost equally divided be-
tween the corporation and the indie
pendents. The steel plants are operat-
ing on finished steel at about sixty per
cent of capacity, while shipments
which were at the rate OF ninety per
cent OF capacity two months ago are
not far from seventy-five per cent of
capacity at this date. 1t is believed
that the activity Will drop to about
sixty per cent of capacity on pig iron,
unfinished steel and finished steel be-
fore the close of the year, A decided
up-turn in demand. an therefore in
bookings, Is expected not later than
s-sSl, a,aI To hal kls,t
prices can go much lower in the in
terim.,
There Is the natural activity in the
anthracite coal trade, while the btu
minous coal market is becoming more
unsatisfactory.
Coke prices are low and the mar
ket weak. but the producers are not
taking 1914 contracts in any volume
at present prices. Shipments are run
ming slightly over ten thousand cars
per week. with thirty thousand ovens
in blast and ten thousand idle in the
Gonnelisviiie district. ----
The operations OF the cement
plants OF the country are at about
one-half capacity. The demand is
uncertain and prices Irregular.
The production of gold at the Rand
mines in October fell to only 718
thousand ounces compared with 76s
thousand a year ago, and with the
exception of September. was the
highest months output since Febru-
airy, 1912. The output for the year
to date, has been 142 thousand ounces
less than for the same period last
year and this decline will show an
increase for the balance of the calen-
dar year because of the disorganlzed
condition resulting from the strike.
Commodity prices ins sympathy with
the decline in gold production, and
for other reasons. have shown con-
siderable decline in England. present
prices being the lowest since Jam
uary. 1912. In this country. prices
are considerably below year ago and
considerably below the beginning of
this year. but are slightly higher than
during the summer.
The number of shares traded on
the stock exchange was about ONE
half of last years transactions for the
month OF October. but bond sales
picked up slightly, amounting to
ferty-one million dollars compared
with forty-six millions a year ago, and
seveuty-three millions two years ago.
Stock exchange dullness Is still a
stubborn fact Bond prices average
lower than at any time since No
low any quotations since April. 1898.
Building and real estate operations
for October were decidedly light, and
for the year to date. In the one hum
dred and sixty leading cities are below
last year. The difference Of over two
million dollars in building operations
in New York city accounts. however.
for nearly all of the decline and out
side of half dozen cities, the build
ing movement has been larger this
year than last year or the year be-
fore.
with the exception OF cotton, the
crops are harvested and the story Is
told Wheat production increased.
while corn. oats. barley. buckwheat,
tiaxseed. white potatoes and tobacco
show decrease as compared with the
previous year. Rice and rye held their
own The average price of farm
products Is enough higher, however,
to offset the difference in the crop and
farmers, as a whole, are not the sur
ferers this time. Farmers in some
sections where the drought was severe
are, of course. In bad shape.
From the ginning figures at hand.
indications are that the cotton crop
will almost reach last years figures.
the price Is enough higher to insure
a muCn greater total VaIue TOT tuS
crop than last year. and the value In
dollars for the smaller crop may al
most. II not quite, equal the price
brought by the 1911 bumper crop.
The best business conditions are
still found in the States bordering the
Great Lakes and the poorest condi-
tons in the middle South and South
west. exclusive OF Texas where busi-
ness is Just about normal. There Is
almost a boom area covering Michi-
gan, Wisconsin. Minnesota and North
erh Iowa Illinois. Indiana and Ohio.
Montana and wyoming are above
normal and the unmentioned portion
of the country Just about average.
1t is unnecessary to comment on
the Mexican situation. which con-
tinues to have its daily effect upon
trade and financial operations in this
and other countries A peaceful set
tlement would mean much to our gen
eral business conditions.
pla,ks Carried Miles by wirh.
LONDON. Nov 26.--On a mountain
about 2 600 feet high. above Dolvgaer.
Rresonshire. farmer has found
planks ard other building material
which had apparently hefn carried
there. from a rlace in the Rhymnev
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