The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-04-07
The Iron Outloek.
:, tho Pittsburgh Commercial.

from the fltCspuiBh SoiaiAAS =.
Notwithstanding the complaints OF
dizziness which are made by many iron
manufacturers, the tact remains that the
measure of operations, afforded BY the
receipts of raw iron, shows consider.
Sbie increase, the totals for the month OF
March beng the heaviest for long
time. Careful examination discioses the
fact that while there may be temporary
,lulls in the demand for hnlshea irons'
the general demand is sufhcient 10 oc.
cupy all our mills, if prices are kept
down to their present uHremuherai'e
basis. Buyers have forced values down
IN mch stage that the only way IN
vb,ch manufacturers can save themselves
il to use large proportion OF inie-
rior metal, and the consequence Is
marked deterioration in the quality OF
the merchant bar turned out during the
mast year. For manufacturers VINO
prize their reputation this state OF Affairs
"a nearly AS IN pleassnt as losing money,
and MANY of them express the resolution
In shut down rather than damage their
good name by turning out oaa lron;
This state of things, with the sdaitional
incumbus of the large idle proanetlVe
capacity, admits of but one remedy
namely: reduction of the cost OF Prouuc-
ing good iron by introducing compeution
into the carrying OF raw materials anu py
emitting down the prime cost OF those raw
materials through developing new and
competing fields of production.
Of the Eastern market for manufac-
tured iron we learn that there Is NO
change to note, the volume OF business
showing fair aggregate, while IN re-
gard to values no alterations are spoken
of. Holders, as Hrule regard current
prices rs low as they are likely 10 60
while any addition 70 cost would prooa-
bly further curtai business. In the
market for American pig iron there Is
no Improvement over the long preva-
Ient unsettled condition of affairs, nor
in fact is there the least feature that Is
in any new way. Consumers are SLOW
to tai e hold at any price, and those VINO
have not supplies ordered ahead tor fu-
tire delivery, are operating rs closely 10
Immediate wants as possible. In pro-
duc,no sections the outlook 10 as dull as
ever, though we hear of no furnace dow
inc out Sales are reported of 400 tons
*, various brands, at Sl9 OO(d]ZOVV'
and 700 tons gray forge at SIG 10. The
Bulletin says of the New York hardware
trade:
Tine orders at hand are not very large,
and cover in the main the rounding OH
OF invoices required to fully complete as
sentiments of buyers, who have already
secured their main supply. With i'm
proving weather, however. and the re-
opening of inland navigation, dealers
expect some revival of business, especial
ly with near. by and local customers.
The export movement, in aggregate, Is
fair. but dealers think the political dis
turbsnces in Europe have limited and
checked orders in many cases. A Board OF
Trade has been formed, with the object
of protecting the general interests OF the
members, and especially as guard
against extension oil credits unnecessarily,
and to obtain thorough information as to
the standing of merchants throughout
the country. Foreign hardware contln-
ues only moderately active, and shows no
important changes in value. Nails are
unsettled, but mostly favor the buyer.
The best rate is retained at SO, but the
discounts allowed in some cases reduce
tina cost 30(935c per keg.