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447

(440) 

Jan. 2/96.

Dear Mr. Hecker:

Since my letter of Dec. 18, the effect of President Cleveland’s message on the Venezuelian [[Venezuelan]] affair has been felt in financial circles and has resulted in making capital very timid and cutting down the stock market materially. It also was the means of stopping further negotiations for the New Haven coal cars, which we had brought almost to a close, and I imagine was the means of deferring the 1,000 coal cars for the Erie people. We have however since then taken one order for 600 box cars. This was obtained by Mr. Plumb very skillfully from the Pennsylvania R.R. The price obtained is a trifle above cost, but it will furnish work for the Peninsular Dep’t during February.

Negotiations begun some time ago with the Canadian Pacific Co. for 600 ore cars for their D.S.S.& A. line have also come to an agreement in practically everything but funds. These are to be furnished by a car trust association in Toronto, but the present war scare may in the end prevent the contract from being executed.

The close of the year finds the New Haven box, the Erie box, the Ontario & Western coal, and the Shippers refrigerators practically completed. The last of the T.& O.C. coal will be erected to-morrow. 
Therefore we enter the new year with the following orders.

Peninsular Department.
300 box cars for the Consolidated Rolling Stock Co.
200 box cars for the Nickel Plate.
200 coal cars for the Nickel Plate.
which will practically keep that department full during this month.

500 Penna. box cars for February; along with which or following which will come the D.S.S.& A. ore cars should the contract be finally signed.

Michigan Department.
We have enough repairs from various Rolling Stock Companies and the Mich. Central to keep part of our force employed during January. As

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