Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-02
BUSINESS STILL ACTIVE
AS YEAR NEARs END
Wholesale Conservatism Apparent
in Industrial and Bank
Ing Circles.
COLLECTIONS ARE PROMPT
Movement of Raw Materials and OF
Merchandise to Points OF Dcstina-
ton Continues Hampercd by the
Shortage of Cars.

NEW YORK. December 1.--Dun's
Weekly Review of Trade will say to-
! morrow:
business enters on the final stage of
its most prosperous year with activity
unabatcd and the rise in prices con-
tinuing, yet with clear evidence of
commendable Judgment and prudence
in many quarters. Wholesome conscr-
vatism is increasingly apparent In in
dustrial channels as III banking cir
clcs. and the doubts as to the economic
changes that ultimately must be ex-
pericnccd arc reflected in the DISPOSE
ton to provide against possible con-
tingcncteS in the future.
II still is :; noteworthy and rcas-
surfing feature that producers in many
instances cndeavor to discourage de-
mand. rather than to stimulate il. and
some interests virtually have with
drawn from the markets in an effort
10 check the influx of orders which
they cannot handle. or are disincIin-
cd to accept under present conditions.
COMPELLED TO COVER
FAR-FORWARD NEEDS
Buycrs however. are impelled TO
cover fur-forward needs because OF
apprchcnsions that the paucity OF sup
piles now witnessed in some lines later
may become more general, although
signs multiply of the restricting in
fiucncc Of the extreme living costs on
consumption. Yet the further wage
advances. in most cases voluntary, &C;
as a partial offset to the high prices.
and distribution at retail remains of
record volume. with carly holiday
shopping reported In many sections.
With few exceptions. mercantile col
lectionS are more prompt than usual
and the commercial mortality is rela-
lively light for the period, while other
statistical exhibits are highly crafty
ing gross railroad earnings for three
weeks OF November being 81 per cent
in excess Of the unprecedented reve-
uucs III 1915.
The movement Of raw materials ana
OF merchandise TO points OF deStna-
ton, however, continues hampcrcd 10y
car shortage and there is much COM
plaiut OF delayed deliveries. ocean
RECONSIDERATION also still being hinder
ed by the scarcity OF vessels.
Hradstrccts tomorrow VIII say;
Ruuics on the surface Of the stream
betray the existence OF some cddies.
but generally speaking. the current or
trade and industry runs broader and
deeper than ever before at this date.
The need Of cooler weather as a stitnu-
LIANT To retail trade is mentioned in a
few dispatches, but, with carly active
holiday demand and new wave OF
wage advances reinforcing the alb
normally large current business, com
plant from this source is at mini
mum. Something like revolt of con-
sulners was witnessed in the markets
for food this week, and Thanksgiving
demand for poultry and other lines was
disappointing to dealers in some cities.
NEW HIGH PRICES FOR
CATTLE AND SHEEP
In grain and hog products talk or a
food embargo and resulting declines In
prices have fostcrcd the belief thai
prices have reached their zenith for
time at least. but. on the other hand,
new high prices have been reached for
cattle and sheep, and in the great
majority of manufactured staples. as
in all raw materials, except possibly
lumber. there is still wire edge on
demand and prices. and some observers
can only see stu higher quotations for
iron and steel. the other metals
leather ard it's manufactures. wool. to-
bacco. and. in fact. raw or manufac-
turcd materials in general.
In regular staple lines demand has
been free. and jobbers, wholesalers and
manufacturers all are straining to keep
up with current demand, while orders
tend TO bank up. The car shortage
trouble tends To grow even more acute.
although local and state action is said
to have been helpful in causing coal
spectators TO unload and thereby re-
lease some cars.