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10 SPOT PRICES HOLD SO CHAXGE FROM SATURDAY’S CLOSE IX EITHER TOXE OR PRICE. FACTORS HAVE FIRM VIEWS AXD SOME ARE MOLDING FOR PRICED ABOVE THOSE QUOTED. Interior Holders Generally Refuse to Trade on Market Quotations in F. O. B. Department—Some Sales Reported on Slightly Higher Basis. American Futures Markets Pretty Steady Through Greater Part of Day, Though Lower at Close. AT THE CLOSE. FUTURES. Liverpool, 1 to 4 points higher, lew York, 1 to 6 points lower, lew Orleans, 1 to 4 points lower. SPOTS. Liverpool, 1 point lower. Xew York, nnehanged. New Orleans, unchanged. Savannah, nnclianged. The local spot cotton market main tained its level yesterday, opening and closing unchanged both In tone and price from the close Saturday. Sales reported at the opening were 280 bales and at the close 513 bales. The de mand continues good at quotations, but many holders refuse to sell at these prices. The tone, prices and sales for the day follow: Open- | 1 IClos- ing. lo'clock.] ing. | Quiet. [ Quiet. Quiet. bood middling 7% 7% Middling 7% 7% 7% Low middling . 7'4 7H 7% Sales | 793 | 513^ Total sales yesterday, 793. Time, 1 p. m., day before, 280. The f. o. b. market opened and closed steady at 7% cents, basis good •middling, and with a fair demand at this figure, but the interior continues Ifirm and very little business was done at this basis, though some lots were Sold on a slightly higher basis. In the futures markets Liverpool ca bles at the opening of the American markets were disappointing though prices in the English market improved before its close. In spite of this, however, the New York and New Or leans markets held pretty steady dur ing the day, owing to the influence of the firm spot situation in the South. Before the close prices were depressed so that the close at New York was at e net loss of I to 6 points and that at New Orleans of 1 to 4 points. SPOT COTTON MARKET. The following were the official spot liuotatlons at the close of the market Bt the Cotton Exchange yesterday. 1:00 Tear Oradee. P. M. Ago. Good middling 744 12V* Middling TV4 12 Low middling 7V4 11 V$ Tone Quiet. Steady. Sales yesterday. 793. Exports— Foreign 13,161 Foreign for season 689,504 Last year 507,219 Coastwise 5,666 Coastwise for season 249,366 Last year 170,124 Receipts yesterday 9,924 Last year 9,606 Year before last 6,623 Receipts since Sept. 1 1,055,804 Receipts same time last year.. 783,379 Stock yesterday 129,759 Stock last year 108,781 Receipts and Stocks at all Ports— Receipts yesterday 49.890 Same day last year 53,015 Same day year before last .... 43,504 So far this week 119,077 Last year 92,732 Year before last 89,195 Receipts since Sept. 1, 1904 ...5.102,983 Last year 4,424,307 Stock at all ports yesterday .. 968,103 Stock same day last year 896,858 DAILY COTTON MARKET. (Port Movement: Savannah—Quiet; middling, 7V&; net receipts, 9,893; gross, 9,924; sales, 280; stock, 129,759. Exports—Great Britain, 12,686; continent, 475; coastwise, 5,666. Galveston—Quiet; middling, 7 7-16; net receipts, 15,307; gross, 15,307: sales, 754; stock, 188,774. Exports—Great Britain, 18,999; continent. 453; coastwise, 6,236. New Orleans—Steady; middling, 7%; net receipts, 17,695; gross, 17,695; sales. 3,400; stock, 384,656. iMobile—Firm; middling, 7%; net re ceipts, 2,386; gross, 2,386; sales, 900; stock, 64.639. Charleston—Quiet; middling, 7%; net receipts, 592; gross, 592; stock, 29,234. Exports—Coastwise, 164. Wilmington—Nominal; net receipts, 176; gross, 176; stock, 1,860. Norfolk—Net receipts, 2,892; gross, 2,892: stock, 37,317. Baltimore —Nominal; middling, 7%; gross receipts, 340; stock, 7,645. New York—Dull; middling. 8; gross receipts, 6,942; sales, 1,100, stock, 102,- 425. Boston —Dull; middling, 8; gross, re ceipts. 1,322. Philadelphia—Quiet; middling. 825; net receipts, 3; gross, 3: stock, 4.209. Newport News—Gross receipts, 697; Exports—Great Britain, 697. Brunswick—Stock, 17,585. Total to-day at all ports—Net, 49.- 880; Great Britain, 32,380; Continent, 928; stock, 968,103. Consolidated at all ports—Net, 119,071; Great Britain. 65,548; France, 15,000; continent, 84.433. Total since Sept. 1. at all ports— Net, 5,102,983; Great Britain, 1,820,756; France, 390,453; Continent, 1.371,612; Japan, 37,988; Mexico, 12,364. Interior Movement: Houston—Quiet; middling. 7%; net receipts. 10,960; gross, 10,960: ship ments, 16,540; sales, 1,089; stock, 98,- 586. Augusta—Steady; 711-16; net re ceipts, 2,168; gross. 2,403; shipments. 1,526; sales, 419; stock, 94.263. Memphis-Quiet; 7 11-16; net receipts, 5,289; gross, 11,045; shipments, 8,831; sales, 11,650; stock, 140,301. St. Louis—Quiet; 784; net receipts, 700; gross, 5,479; shipments, 4,876; sales, 100; stock, 31,211, Cincinnati—Net receipts, 1,246; gross, 1,246. shipment. 1,101; stork, 3,160 I^oulsvills—Firm; middling, 6. Tot si to-day- Net receipts. 120,313; gross, 31,188, shipments, 32,886; sales, 8,258, stock. 367,521. ■ 9<U ISLAND < OTTOS. Prleas follow: Fsi.'-y Florida# ..,,,,,,,,,,.,..81 *22 Extra choice Florida# Choice Florid## 16 ft# Fsiuy Georgia# 20 #2OU Exits choice Georgia* ~,,,,,,16 #l9V> t'hoU* Georgia# 17U*tg ** ,r * •*>* Ge.’e and Fls's .. id JIT SEA ISLAND COTTON AT LOWER PRICES. The sea island cotton market of Sa vannah is now at a lower basis of prices than was quoted at the close of the trade week ending last Friday. At that time the prices quoted were only nominal, but since sales have been made at concessions. According to one member of the trade this mar ket seems to have received a sympa thetic shock from t'he decline in upland cotton even though there is no reason that such should be the case. The movement of sea island to the market has been quite free, according to this authority, there is no reason to believe that the crop is larger than the estimates of its size that have been current and the stocks of the staple at interior points are practically noth ing as compared with those at the same period last year. It is stated also that the quality of the cotton now coming to the market is not quite up to the standard of that in the early part of the year. It is said to be a curious fact, but one that is nevertheless true and prov ed by close attention to the matter for some twenty years, that in this matter Of deterioration of sea island staple the causes whatever they are that produce it are potent always at the same time in affecting the qual ity of Egyptian cotton, so that in the markets for that cotton the same in equality of staple as compared with first receipts this season is to be no ticed. In the local market the recent busi ness has been chiefly in Georgia cot ton. Prices follow: Fancy Floridas 20 @2l Extra choice Floridas 19 @l9*£ Choice Floridas 16 @lB Fancy Georgias 19 @i9Vi Extra choice Georgias 18 @IBV4 Choice Georgias 16 @ Extra fine Ga.'s and Fla.'s ...14 @ls BIG PORT RECEIPTS DISCOURAGED BUYERS. New York, Dec. 12.—The cotton mar ket was quiet and irregular with final prices showing slight losses as com pared with Saturday. The opening was steady at an advance of 1 point on April, but generally 2 to 4 points lower, which was better than due on the cables. On the New York close of Saturday Liverpool should have re ported an advance of 2@4 points, but at the hour of the local opening this morning was about unchanged to 2 points lower, with private advices in dicating generally bearish sentiments and absence of support. Here the large exports reported on Saturday and cominued talk of firm interior spot holders served to offset the bear ish leadership of the English market, and there was considerable demand from shorts. Prices slowly worked upward meeting with many partial reactions until at midday they were about 4to 6 points net higher. In the afternoon the large estimates for to-morrow's port receipts seemed to discourage buyers; there was a renewal of pressure and with early buyers liquidating, the market slipped off to a little under the opening figures. Prices were finally at about the low point of the session, but steady at a net loss of I@6 points. Sales were estimated at 200,000 bales. SPOT COTTON AT NEW YORK. New York, Dec. 12. —Spot cotton closed dull; middling uplands, 8c; mid dling gulf. 8.25 c; sales, 1,100. Cotton futures at New York: Options. fOoen.MHigh.| Low. Close February .. 7.50 b 7.58 7.52 7753" January ... 7.60 7.69 7.59 7.60 February .. 7.65 b 7.67 March 7.78 7.87 7.70 7.77 April 7.87 7.87 7.87 7.82 May 7.89 7.98 7.88 7.57 June 7.95 7.97 7.95 7.89 July 8.00 8.08 7.99 8.01 August ■■■■ 7.92 b 7.98 7.98 7.97 opened steady; closed steady. BULLS AND BEARS DIFFER ABOUT HOLDING. New Orleans. Dec. 12.—Cotton fu tures steady: December, 7.4706.49 c; January, 7.5307.54 c; February, 7.610 7.63 c; March, 7.69 c; April, 7.7407.76 c; May, 7.8207.83 c; June, 7.8607.88 c; July. 7.9107.93 c. Spot cotton steady; sales, 3,400 bales, Including 1,000 to arrive. Quotations unchanged. Futures opened steady at from 3 to 4 points down. Trading was very light and the fluctuations narrow. The covering by weak shorts was the only feature developed during the day. January opened 3 to 6 points down at 7.52 c, sold up to 7.60 c and finally re ceded to 7.53 c. A large majority of the bear element placed little credit upon the reports that many planters in the belt have agreed to hold their crops. On the other hand, bull lead ers continue to argue that If planters only adhere to their promise and re fuse to allow their cotton to go for ward that higher prices in the near future are a certainty. The local mar ket closed steady, net losses 1 to 4 points. , LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET. Liverpool, Dec. 12.—Spot cotton in moderate demand, prices 1 point lower; American middling fair. 4.51d; good middling, 4.27d; middling, 4.17d; low middling, 4.05d; good ordinary. 3.01d; ordinary, 3.75d. The sales of the day were 8,000 bales of which 1,000 were for speculation and export, and included 7,500, American; receipts none. Futures opened quiet and steady and closed very steady; American middling, good ordinary clause: December, 4.lid; Deccmber-Janunry, 4.lid; Jan uary-February, 4.16d; February-March, 4.20d; March-April, 4.20d; April-May, 4.26d; May-June, 4.29d; June-July, 4.31d; July-August, 4.34d; August-Sep tember, 4.34d. J. S. RACHR Jt CO.'S Dally Cotton Letter to Hayward, Vick A Cos. New York. Dec. 12. —Liverpool did not show much eagerness to follow the strength exhibited here on Saturday, advancing first only 2 points, which were promptly lost. Buying orders from this side, however, gave that market anew impulse and closed It 3 or 4 points higher than Saturday. There was considerable support here from an element hitherto bearish, and throughout the morning, prices were quite steady. Some telegrams were received reporting considerable spot de mand, a general absence of pressure to sell. Outside Interest was light and towards the end of day prices gradually eased off and closed 2 to 3 lower than Saturday. A week has passed since the bureau estimate with out any great pressure of cotton from the Interior, while the steady demand from exporters ms well a* from mid dlemen, who are filling contracts "call ed" on the decline, has been sufficient to hold th* market at about one-eighth DEMERE L HAMMOND, Brokers, Phones 1)05. Office No, 24 Hiytn street, hkit, COTTON. STOCKS, BONDS, CHAIN AND PROVISIONS IMrmm Private Wire* ut larakiug A*fceugee tAW AA WMJLMJI f*o * M'kOibn. SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: TUESDAY. DECEMBER 13. 1904. HI 1 1 1 COTTON. STOCKS. BONDS, GRAIN PROVISIONS AND COFFEE. Direct Private Wires to AU Market*. MEMBERS New Orleans Cotton Exchange. New Orleans Future Broker* Asa a. New York Cotton Exchange. New York Coffee Exchange. Chicago Board of Trade. Associate Member* Liverpool Cotton Association. Savannah Cotton Exchange. J. M. McCORD, Manager, 104 Bay, East. Savannah. Ga. to three-sixteenths above the low point touched. Liverpool seems to be the weak element Just now, just as it was the strongest factor for many months past. This is easily understood since Manchester is generally reported to have contracted for at least 80 per cent, of its full years needs at prices well above 9 cents. It is but na tural that spinners should hold off and try to get the balance as cheaply as possible, in order to bring down the average, and especially as they are in such an excellent position to wait. One feature which is not encouraging to the maintenance of higher prices, is the liberal stocks everywhere, the excess of American cotton over year is as follows: United ports, 63,000; United States interior towns, 240,000; Liverpool and Manchester, 205,000, and the continent. 100,000. So far, in round figures, the amount brought in sight is 1,000,000 greater than last year, but if the crop is to 2,000,000 greater, the consumer immediately figures that still another 1.000,000 in excess, re mains in farmers' hands, hence there is no necessity for haste in securing the balance of needed silppltes. The market here is being held up by a cer tain element, who have been conspic uous on bear side, and which still talks of 7 cents for January in the near future. Liverpool is due to come 1 to 2 lower in the morning. WARE A I,ISLAND . Say Boars Who Stay In Market Will Lose Money. New York, Dec. 12.—The situation shows little change. Southern holders are still demanding prices higher ap parently believing that the mills will pay more, and the spot situation is the sustaining feature in the market. There appears to be little effort on the part of speculation to determine prices or to try to force liquidation of spot holdings. Mills, while unwill ing to buy spots very freely do pro tect themselves by buying futures when they get too far below a parity with Southern spot markets and this makes a form of long account that is exceedingly difficult to shake out. Liverpool evidently takes a bearish view of the situation and this morning came about unchanged to 2 points low er when due to come 2 to 4 up. The local market barely responded to this showing with an opening decline of 1 to 4 points. There was considerable covering and later prices were a lit tle over last Saturday’s close. Smaller shorts are disappointed by inaction of the big bear leaders and are also worried over the strong front shown by the South in the matter of market ing, while the big exports on Saturday amounting to about 113,000 bales tends to revive talk of an enormous de mand. On the whole the market shows the disposition to increase offerings on advances and to buy on declines. Pending some change in the attitude of the market, we expect the balance of the crop to be marketed by fits and starts and this in connection with speculative uncertainty should give us a good scalping market with fluctua tions broad enough to be attractive. DEMERE & HAMMOND'S Cotton Letter From New Yorlt. New York. Dec. 12.—A1l things con sidered the market this morning, show ed more strength than might have rea sonably been expected after the sharp break of Saturday. The collapse to about to the low point of the previous break would have started a wave of liquidation and a break, but as it was January sold to 7.59 c, instead of 7.60 c, the low a week ago, and this brought about buying by a great many who will be buyers on all declines until January and other options weaken iq to new ground. On any advance these buyers will take profits, but they will not be found on the selling side un der S cents in New York, until there is more cotton available, and no fear of a sharp rally. On the other hand there is a large number, who have made money on the short side, and this number will continue to sell short at all times until they begin to lose mon ey. It was so with the bulls last year. At 15 cents conservative people got out and quit. Those who stayed lost their money. The bears who quit will have their money. Those who continue will lose before the season is over just as the bulls, who over stayed the market last year. It is likely to be a narrow market. GENERAL MARKETS. New York, Dec. 12—Flour quiet and lower to sell. Rye flour steady. Buckwheat flour quiet. Corn meal steady. Rye nominal. Wheat—Spot easy; No. 2 red. $1.1614c. Wheat options declined a cent this morning, rallied at noon, but yielded later, closing 1% lower; May, $1.1114; July, $1.0214; December, $1.1514. Corn—Spot quiet; No. 2,62 c. Market was exceedingly dull, closing He net lower; May, 50%c; December, 55c. Oats—Spot dull; mixed, 34%®35%c. Beef steady. Cut meats quiet; pickled bellies, 714 @Bc. Lard quiet; refined quiet. Pork steady. Rice quiet. Sugar—Raw firm; refined firm; No. 13, $4.55; No. 14. $4.50. Coffee—Spot Rio firm; No. 7 In voice B%c; mild, steady; Cordova,, 100 13c. The market for coffee future* opened steady at unchanged prices to an advance of 5 points. The market closed unchanged on October and No vember and 6 to 10 points higher on other positions. Sales. 75,500 bag*. Potatoes, steady; Long Island $1.75® 2.00; state and Western, $1.3501.65, Jersey sweets, $2.0003.50. Cabbage, easy; flat Dutch per 100, $2.0003.00. Peanuts, steady. Cotton by steam to Liverpool. 12® 16c. Butter, steady; creamery 15®27%c; state dairy 16025 c. cheese, quiet arid firm; state Mill ull colored I2e. September white ll%< . Egg*, steady. slate Pennsylvania and nearby, 38010 c; Southern, 22030 c. CHICAGO MARKETS. Chicago, Dec. 12. —Enormous receipts PRICE DIDN’T HOLD SPIRITS MARKET CLOSED UN CHANGED, BUT WENT LOWER LATER. ROSIN MADE LITTLE CHANGE IN LATE TRADE ADVANCE OF 5 CEXTS WAS PAID OX PALES. Decline In Both Spirit* and Rosin Showed In New York and Spirit* Lower Alno In Isondon—Receipt* of Roaln 2,403 Barrel*, nnfl of Spirit* 520 Cn*k*—Xo Shipment* ot Either. The advance made by the spirits of turpentine Saturday was not held yes terday for, though the market opened and closed steady at the closing fig ures of Saturday the tone was only ''steady," and in the late trade the price went off % of a cent. Some of the factors declined to sell at the low er figure, however, so that a part of the receipts will be carried over until to-day. The receipts were 520 casks, and the shipments, none. The New York market was quoted dull at 51 cents. London reported another de cline, the quotation there being 36 10%. The rosin market opened firm and unchanged from Saturday’s close, ex cept in the case of grades G and F, which were at the former inside prices. The sales at the opening, which were the total for the day amounted to 1,- 484 barrels. The close was firm ahd unchanged. Receipts for the day were 2,468. No shipments were re ported. The New York market was quoted dull at $2.85. After the close of the local market sales were gen erally made at an advance of 5 cents on I and above, and at outside quo tations for the remainder. NAVAL STORIES STATEMENT. The following are the figures and quotations of the naval stores mar ket, as posted at the Board of Trade. Spirits. Rosin. Stock April 1 6,495 44,560 Receipts yesterday 520 2,468 Receipts previously 157,442 474,678 Totals 164,457 521,696 Exports yesterday Exports previously 130,038 465,381 Total V. ..130,038 465,381 Stock yesterday 34,419 56,315 Stock previously 11,732 76,938 Tester- Day Be- Last day. fore. Year. Tone .| Steady. | Firm. | Firm. Sales 102 J_ _293 445_ Rosin .| Firm. | Firm. Firm. W. W. 5.15 5.15 3.50 W. G. 4.75 4.75 3.25 N 4.50 4.50 3.05 M. .. . 4.30 4.30 2.90 K. .. . 3.90 3.90 2.80 1 3.35 3.35 2.65 H 2.8002.82% 2.8002.82% 2.33 G 2.62% 2.62%02.65 2.25 F. .... 2.57%|2.57%®2.60 2.20 E 2.5502.57 % 2.55 02.57% 2-20 D 2.52H 1 2.52 H 2.20 C, B, A 2.52%j' 2.52 % 2.20 Sales | 1.184 | 2.630 | 3,457 IN OTHER~MARKETS. New York, Dec. 12.—Rosin, dull; Turpentine quiet at 5&%®51c. Charleston, S. C- Dec. 12.—Turpen tine and rosin, nothing doing. Wilmlngtop, N. C., Dec. 12.—Turpen tine. nothing doing; receipts, 31 casks. Rosin firm at $2.46; receipts, 124. Tar firm at $1.80; receipts, 104. Crude turpentine firm at $2.30 and $3.60; receipts, 142. New Orleans, Dec. 12.—Receipts, rosin, 35 barrels; turpentine, 20. LUMBER MARKET. Exports of lumber and cross-ties from Savannah for the season begin ning July 1, as posted at Board of Trade: Lumber. Steam. Sail. Yestejrday Month”!!!!.’. 2,455,790 1,507.215 Since July 1 35,707,136 33,232,086 Where Shipped— Foreign 2,294,444 2,761.524 Baltimore 9,142,531 4,309,882 Philadelphia ........ 4,553,629 5,604.607 New York 18,872,276 9,545,232 Boston 600,531 1,167.206 Other ports 253,410 9,843,945 of wheat In the Northwest had a de pt esslng Influence on speculative prices here to-day. At the close wheat for May delivery was off IHOlH<.’. Corn and oats are up He. Provisions range from 7Hc higher to 15c lower. The leading futures ranged as fol lows: Opening. Highest. Lowest. Closing. Wheat. No. 2 Dec ....31 07 $1 07H $1 06H $1 06% May .... 110 1 10H 1 09H 1 09H July .... 98H 98% 98 98% Corn, No. IS— Dec 47 47% 46% 47% May ... 44% 44% 44% 44% July .... 44% 46 44% 44% Oats, No. 2 Dec .... 28% 28% 28% 28% May ... 30% 30% 30% 30% July ... 30% 30% 30% 80% Mess Pork, per barrel— Jan ... 12 50 12 50 12 32% 12 35 May ... 12 82% 12 85 12 65 12 65 Lard, per 100 pounds— Jan .... 6 82% 685 6 82% 6 82% May ... 7 10 7 10 7 05 706 Short Ribs, per 100 pounds— Jan .... 680 650 6 42% 645 May ... 6 72% 675 6 67% 6 67% Cash quotations were as follows: Flour easier; No. 2 spring wheat, 31.0701.14; No. 3. $1.0201.12; No. 2 red. $1.U%@1.13%; No. 2 corn. 47%04*c; No. 2 yellow, 47%045c; No. 2 oats, 2K%r; No. 2 white, 30%®31%; No. 3 white, 29%030%c; No. 2 rye, 75c; good feeding barley. 39®40%c; fair to choice malting. 41048 c; No. 1 flax seed, $1.16; No. 1 Northwestern. $1.24: prime tim othy seed, $2.72%: mess pork, per bar rel, $11.12011.25; lard, per 100 pounds. $6.77%; short ribs sides (loose), $4.26® 6.50; short clear sides (boxed). 6.87%; whisky, basts of high wines, $1.26: clover, contract grade. 112.50. Receipt* Wheat, <O,OOO bu*hels; corn, 657,500 bushels; outs, 146.000 bushels. DUV GOOD* NtMHKT. New York. Dec. IJ.—The day in dry good* lia* naturally bean g dull on* and the buyer ha* operated very conservatively, Yet there tea gen eral independence on tb* part of tbe sell*! who facia a* lhough M would piofli hili. a little tg make revision hi order to force bualnea* The )obiter Mae had a lair ernount of mail or daeg, tout Ran ink 8m keen vary glow “LMCLE SAM’S" STAMP MILL. Th*> Bureau of Engravlnß, Where Postage Stamps Are Made hy the Experts. From the New Tork Tribune. More than 6,500,000.000 postage stamps will be printed during the pres ent calendar year, says the Chicago Chronicle. The exact figures, as esti mated by the officials, will be 6,964,- 800,000. Of this number 1,791,000,000 be made up of one-cent stamps, 3,627,200,000 of twos, and the remainder of the higher denominations. The Bu reau of Engraving and Printing strikes off 20,800,000 stamps every day. This average is kept up for the 300 working days fin the year. The daily shipment of stamps to the 70,000 or more post offices throughout the United States runs from 10,000,000 to 70,000,000, the latter being the highest number ever sent out in a single day. About 100,- 000,000 stamps are always kept on hand ready for any emergency. "Why, sir,” said the man in charge of the stamp division, a few days ago, "we count in millions and billions here. We can tell without difficulty whether the country is prospering or floundering in the slough of adversity. In fact, the order sheet for stamps is an accurate barometer of industrial conditions in the United States. Asa political ar gument nothing better can be advanced than the unusually heavy demand for stamps during the last four years. The calls upon us necessitate constant ac tivity. The sales of stamps has jump ed with leaps and bounds since 1900. In that year we shipped 3,958,000,000; in 1901, 4,270,000,000; in 1902. 5,135,930.- 000, and in the present year we hope to pass the 6,000,000,000. "Our best month is January. Busi ness picks up in December, as a re sult of the holiday season, but we reach the flood in January. August is the slack month, and February is counted among the dull periods. The demand in the first twenty days of every quar ter is unusually heavy, and at such times our daily shipments foot up mil lions. The task of printing and dis tributing the little certificate that ap pears on the letters in the United States mails is a tremendous one. Great skill is required in every branch of the Tvork. The best plate printers that can be obtained in this country are employed, and the women who ex amine und count the stamps are among the most expert of the small army em ployed in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. "While bililions of stamps are print ed in a year, every detail of the big job is done by a force of 200 men and women. Each of them is an expert in his or her particular line of business. Only one mistake has been made in counting the stamps during the last three years. When ft is considered that millions are counted in a day, hundreds of millions in a month and billions in a year, the proficiency of the counters, all of whom are women, is readily appreciated. There is another fact that may be of interest to those who are not advised of the rules gov erning the national money factory where the postage stamps are printed. In the last three years only one sheet of stamp paper has been lost. Four hundred stamps are printed on a sheet, which goes through the hands of a couple of hundred employes. But it is almost Impossible for a sheet of paper or a single stamp to be lost or mis laid. Every scrap must be accounted for and checked up before the em ployes leave the building. If a sheet is reported missing, a search is made for it. If it is not found, the loss must be made good. Sometimes the foreman of the room in which the sheet or stamp has disappeared pays for it or a collection is taken up among the em ployes. But, as-stated, the losses are SAVANNAH'S CURRENT MARKETS Note—These quotations are revised daily arid are kept as near as possible In accord with the prevailing wholesale prices. Official quotations are not used when they disagree with the prices wholesalers ask. POULT )IY—Market, weak: spring ers, 30040 c per pair; three-quar ters grown, 50060 c; hens, 75@85e. Tur keys, 16c per pound; geese, $1.50 per pair; ducks, 90e@$l .00 per pair. EGGS—Country, 26c; Tennessee, 28c. BUTTER—The tone of the market is firm. Quotations: Extra Elgin. 60 tubs. 26027 c; choice Elgins, 24@25c; New York state. 23®23%c; renovated butter 60-pound tubs, best grade, 23@23%c. CHEESE—Market, firm: fancy full cream cheese, 22025-pound, 12%@13c; 20035-pound, 12%@12%c. WHITE PEA BEANS—S2.4O bushel. POTATOES—S2.OO. ONIONS—In sacks, $2.50. SPANISH ONIONS—Per crate, $1.50. CABBAGES—SI.SO crate. TURNIPS—Per sack. $1.50. Brendstnffs, Dor and Grain. FLOUR—Patent, $6.35; straight $6.10; fancy. $7.35; family, $5.45; spring wheat, best patent, $5.85. MEAL—Pearl, per barrel, $3.40; per sack $1.45; water ground, $1.45; Pearl grits', per sack, $1.45; Pearl grits, per barrel. $3.40: city meal. $1.40. Grain Market*. QUANTITIES— Jobs. Cars. No. 2 white corn 71 Mixed com 70 OATS- To. I .tto:::::: S b,,n .1..35 Mixed bran }■" Ml No! Vtlmothy *> 75 No. 2 timothy 80 85 Sugar. 7 12 Cut loaf *7 Cubes - XXXX powdered J “L Powdered Fine granulated Confectioners’ A White Extra C RlCE—Market dull, fancy head, 4% 05c-. prime ' * V *®!?! 3 03% Fafr .!!!!!!. 2%®3% Common • —3 . PPLES-$3.00 to $3.50 barrel. raNANAS-$1.7502.00. r- RAPES— Malaga, $4.5005.50; Ja nIFLOmDA onANGEB-$2. 7 603.0°. PRUNES—2O* to 30*. sl3; 30* to 40*. 10r- 40s to 50s. 8c; 50* to 60*, 7He; 60s *%c; 70s to 80s, 6c; 80s to 90s, lie %0S to 100*. 4HC. nuTB —Ample stock, fair de ' n market firm; fancy hand-picked VRglnU*. 7 ; N. C. peanuts, 6Hc; •*. vtrainla, 9c. NUTS—Almonds. Terragona. 14Hc; tvtras 12%c; walnuU, French. 12Hc; Naples. 14Hc; pecans. 10c; Braxlli, su.c filberts, tie; asaortud nuts, 60- pound snd 25-pound boxes. 12c. Dried ss4 Eft*.rsle4 Frails. APPLES - Evaporated, 7He; sun dried. Otic# —Evaporated, fancy, Uc; choir., 10He. RAISIKE'L. L., 8-crown, $1 85. 6* crown. *•*• 4-crown ousters. 3.7: loose m us'-•tells, tc; 1-pound seeded, lofcr; Imp*rial cabinets, $3 per bos. PEACHES -Evaporated, peels*, Ms; uiii*rei*4. PEARS Evaporated U)%e. CITRDN-A S drum. 14%; fan,, Covet' isn- lO-pound boss*. M%c. currawts h srrets. I*. I effee f* „ 16%c Moot* „ ~M PMtiriy ..,,,,,,,.,,,.,,,,,,,,..5340. F*4m> M, $ A SOLID CAR 300 Boxes Indian River Oranges arrives on Prices right. Sizes right A. EHRLICH &, BR0„ sUpply co7,~ _ 126-130 Bay Street, West. JOBBERS. BATn ROOM FIXTURES, SANITARY PLUMBING GOODS. WROUGHT IRON PIPE. FITTINGS, etc. All supplies for STEAM. WATER and GAJ3L Sole Agents for the celebrated HUXL El’ VALVF.S. Wool, Hides, Wax, Raw Furs and Skins. Write for Prices. D. KIRKLAND, infrequent, and when they do occur, they are small, onlv one in the last three years, and only three or four since 1895." The process of turning out a postage stamp is similar to that of printing a bank note. There is, however, more detail in the printing of the stamp. The engraving requires as much skill and some of the best men in the bu reau are employed in this class of work. The design is suggested by some wise official in the Postofflce Depart ment. It takes three months to turn it out, and then if it does not suit the fancy of the department official it must be done over again. The drying pro cess of the stamp is laborious and re quires great skill. Most of the defects that appear in the stamp paper after it is printed and ready for perforation are due to shrinkage. Every sheet of stamp paper has the water mark “U. S. P.” running through every square inch of it. The water mark is re sponsible for the shrinkage which spoils many of the stamp sheets. The sheets v’hich are not approved by the examiner are run through a press and cancelled and then destroyed. The gumming of the stamps is one of the most important processes. It is done in accordance with strictly scientific principles. The room in which the process is worked out is kept as nearly as possible at the same tempera ture summer and winter. This is ac complished by means of steam coils in winter and by perhaps the most elabo rate system of ventilation in the United States, with the possible ex ception of rooms in the government Bureau of Standards. Experiments covering a period of years were made with different gums, and it was a long time before the chemists were suc cessful. They finally evolved a com position which fills the bill, and since it has been used little complaint has been heard as to the adhesive quality of postage stamps. The basic constit uents of this gum, which the govern ment manufactures, is cassava starch. It contains nothing that is deleterious to health, and, in fact, is pronounced almost "good enough to efat.” It is manufactured with great care and cleanliness. The method of applying the gum to the stamp sheets is entirely mechani cal except in the counting. The sheets are fed into a hopper, w here they pass between rollers, the lower set of which revolve in a vat of melted gum. This vat is directly over a heater, which is regulated automatically with scientific accuracy. Over these gum rollers the stamps pass on a continuous chain, which carries them through wooden compartments heated by hot water pipes. When the sheets emerge the Fancy No. 1 13 c Choice No. 2 12Hc Prime No. 2 llHc Fair No. 5 11 c Ordinary No. 6 10 c Common No. 7 9Hc SALT—Car lots, 100 pounds burlap sacks, 37c; 100-pound cotton sacks, 39c; 125-pound burlap sacks, 46c; 125-pound cotton sacks, 48c; 150-pound burlap sacks, 55c; 200-pound burlap sacks, (Liverpool). 78c. HIDES —Market, firm; dry flint, 16Hc; dry salted, 14Hc; green salted, 9c; green, 7Hc. WOOL—Firm; white prime, 25c; prime Georgia, free of sand burrs and black wool, at 23c: burry, 12@16c; wax, 28c; tallow, 4c; deer skin, 22c; goat skins. 25c each. Hardware and Building Supplies. . LIME, CALCIUM PLASTER AND Cement —Alabama and Georgia lime in fair demand and sell at 80@85c a bar rel; special Calcined plaster, $1.5001.60 per barrel; hair, 4@sc; cement, 31.100 I. carload lots, special. Portland ce ment, retail, $2.0002.25; carload lots, special. LUMBER Ral'road ties, 27@29c; hewn ties (7x9x8%), 38040 c; hewn ties (6xß), 26x28c; switch ties. $10.50® 11. easy yard stock, $11.00012.00; car sills, $13.09015.00; ship stock, SIB.OO. Olla. Perfection Signal Oil 42 c Pratt's Astral c Aladdin Security c Water White 15 0 Standard White 14Hc D. S. Gasoline ...16 e D. S. Gasoline in drums *..14%c 86 degree gasoline in drums 19Hc Linseed oil, raw, 1 barrel lots 46 c Boiled linseed, 1 barrel lots .48 c Five barrel lots special. SHOT—Drop. $1.65; B. B. and large, $1.90; chilled 81.90. IRON—Market firm; refined, $1.90: Swede, 4c. NAILS—Cut, $2.25 base; wire, $2.25 base. BARBED WIRE 52.85 per 100 pounds GUNPOWDER Per keg. Austin crack short. $4.50 keg; half keg, $2.50, quarter keg, $1.40; champion ducking quarter keg, $2.25; Austin smokeless’ half kegs. $8.45, quarter. $4.30; three pounds, $2.10; one pound, 75c; less 20 per cent, on smokeless. Cotton Bagging and Ties. BAGGING—Market firm; 1% pound 7%@7%c; 2-pound, B@BHc; sea Island bagging. 10H©llc. TlES—Standard 45-lnch arrow, 94c ©sl.oo. COTTON PICKING SHEETS-22® 25c each. TWINE—Per pound, or hank, 140 15c. HAMS—Sugar cured, 12013Hc; pic nics. B®B%c, D. 8. butts g-/ D. 8. plates Western heavy bellies !”s Eastern light bellies !!'B% Eastern medium bellies !! 8H Eastern heavy bellies ’ D. 8. C. R. sides !!!!!!!•% Smoked C. It. sides *74 LARD—Pure, iti tierces, se; pound tins snd tO-pouiul tubs, |% r eomttound. 11l tierces, 6%r; 50-pound tins and JO-pound tubs, 6Hr. Mlsoellaweon*. FISH Meeker*!, hglfbarrols. Mo t, $lO, MO 3, 16.50. No. I, $(, hjt ‘ i( I. •s.<•. No 3. 83.80; No, *, | | 0 ; cod: flh. l-pounl torn it*. 6c; 2-pond bricks $Hc, smoked nerrlng*. per to**, J tittZOr' Dgich hot rings, in kegs. sn, IliUilet*, ksif battels. $4 OYMUP Market *M; Georgia gad Florid* *ytup. buying st 12025., soil ing St *SO2SHe, sugar iMrusa, si MH# “Va*-m*. Ht'iU WIMEg Masts fin tdottfcv - Dun, itrsrrcd, ut usnsis. Ik ©SIiPR. gum is dry and they are ready for the counter. The thickness of the coating of gum is a matter which is also de termined to a nicety. It is regulated with reg'ard to atmospheric conditions in the territory where the stamps are to be placed on sale. For example, stamps which go to the humid and hot climate of the Gulf States are so gummed as to prevent them from sticking together. A different gum ming process is employed for the stamps sent to the dry and cold north ern latitudes. When the stamp sheets are printed, aired and gummed they are placed under hydraulic pressure. They are stacked in a press in piles of a thousand sheets and a pressure exerted of about forty or fifty pounds a square inch. The sheets are then perforated - , cut up into blocks of 100 stamps, sent to the shipping room and are then ready for distribution. The government has been printing its own postage stamps since 1894. Previous to that year the work was done under contract. Under the pres ent system the Bureau of Engraving and Printing must compete for the work with private companies. Last year the competition was lively and the bureau won on la small margin. The insular possessions are beginning to draw upon the government for large shipments of stamps. The Philippines take 6,000,000 a year, and Hawaii and Porto Rico e?ach 3,500,000 a year. Form erly postage stamps were simple in design. The series authorized last year are more elaborate than any ever before issued by the government. They are more ornate and darry the year of birth and death of the subject. This gives them an educational value which they did not possess in former years. Two Train* Dally to Eaatern Oitlea via Southern Railway. Southern Railway has resumed double dally train service be tween Savannah and the East, leaving Savannah 1 p. m. and 12-15 a. m., Central time. Both trains car ry Pullman drawing room sleeping cars to Washington and New York elegant day coaches and the finest din ing cars in the world. All trains now operated over the new double track through Virginia and the Southern Railway double-track bridge across the Potomac. Pullman reservations glad ly made or information furnished upon application to E. G. Thomson, C. P. & T. A., 141 Bull street; ’phones 860. ad. Change in Sleeping Car Line* Sonth ern Railway. Effective Dec. 15, Pullman Sleeping Car now operated between Jackson ville and St. Louis on Southern Rail way train No. 30 passing Savannah 12:15 midnight and going via Asheville will be discontinued and in Its stead will be inaugurated, on same train and by same route. Pullman Sleeping Car between Jacksonville and Cincinnati ad. For Presents Handsome Carving Sets, Safety Razors, Razors ; J Pocketknivea, 7 Scissors. Honsehold and kitchen ne cessities. There are many useful things here, and a visit of Inspection Is solicited. Edward Lovell's Sons, 113 West Broughton Street. SCHOOLS A urn coileoes. SavannainFreparatoryScH^ Barnard St, between Owlnnett and Hall. Instructors for 1904. Ormond B. Btro*ig, A. B, Cornell, Mathematics. Horaoe Maok, A. B„ Cornell. A. M.. Yale. Drawing. English Grammar and Lit erature. Samuel W. Coons. A. B„ Trinity. History and Geography. Chas. H. Hayes, A. 8., Princeton, Latin and Greek. Eric Berstrom, Ph. D, Harvard, Physics, Chemistry, German. Miss Mary Wayne, Vassar, Rending and Spelling. The strongest faculty- ever secured by the school. Fall Session Will Bearin Oct &. BKAPFORDS EVAPORATED OKRA. Makes the finest soups and gum bos. Sold by all leading grocers 5 cts. per box. M. Ferst’s Sons & Cos., Wholesale Agents. @*rin<ir for GonorrDm.Qli p**riiMtr<rrh<itA. Whlt*a, utt •*url dl*ch*ri(M. or and? Irritation of l(f>rtloo of mucoui m**m* NouMtring*Bk e..M b, orae.l.te. KnAfMre •I Ml ~r . Uituiet out ve nasdi 1 ——i '■ vwjSio