The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-15
The Iron and Mil Market-CIose or the
Six Months business.

Six Months business.
The pig iron market continues to show
decided irmness and strength for the sea-
sou OF the year. Pittsburgh advices
quote it strong with an increased de-
mand, and prices tending upward, with
holders disposed TO demand an advance OF
from ST to s. for good brands" The New
York Bulletin OF Saturday says that the
demand for American pig continues &C.
tive, and supplies, except at prices consid-
erably above the highest yet reported
paid, seem to gradually diminish" 1t
further says that English irons do not
seem to move at all freely, and fail to sym
pathize with American or Scotch in
strength or value"
Nails are quiet and firm both at Pitts
burgh and Wheeling. Orders are being
booked at the full card, and manuiactur.
ers are not anxious to enter large lines
even at that price, Us they think it proba-
be that there will be further advance
early in the new year. We heard of one
Wheeling mill declining to quote for a TO-
900 keg inquiry, and quoting only for half
Of It at full figures, and getting the order.
The close OF the present year will see
the decks pretty well cleared at allsthe
mills Of old orders. The six months be-
gan weak on a s. card for nails, but will
end strong on a $3.65 card. The average
price for the six months, generally speak.
Ing, will not be so high as it should have
been, considering the rapid advance that
has taken place in metal and the cost Of
producing nails. at the close OF the first
six months Of this year the most sagacious
and experienced manufacturers only be.
gan, We may say, to see symptoms OF a
revival Of trade at hand. At the great
Pittsburgh iron meeting of May 20, where.
at were gathered many Of the leading
manufacturers Of the country, those pres.
ent seemed to be looking rather to re.
duction in the cost Of producing their
goods than to any s.increase Of demand or
price, and many Of them were well salts.
fled 10 book orders for future delivery at
then current rates. Perhaps there were
not dozen concerns all told in the great
city oiPlttsburgh that thoughtita an object
10 buy any considerable stock Of material
ahead ut the low rates then prevailing fol
pig iron, ..ore, coke, scrap and old rails
Indeed, we have never heard OF but on'
concern that went in heavy on material
Five years Of constantly declining price
had demoralized and discouraged the
average manulanufacturer to the poin
where the burned child breads the fire
and they were generally content to pursue
shana TO mouth policy.
As to the prospects for 1880, there /
now considerable variety OF opinions
Those who remember only from whenc
We have emerged into the present boom
labor under the scare OF the old nightmare
aud indulsein iorebodinss Of reactio
that will carry us back again into some
thing Of the past stagnation and depres'
ion. Those, on the other hant
who believe in the wonderful
developed resources Of the countr!
since the panic, and the large addition
its aggregate wealth and population sine
then, and who have watched the Currel
Of our immense exports in connectio
with our great crops, and who weig
the significance Of the presel
and prospective plethora Of none
In the country, feel that at all events v
cAunot 90 backwards in the immedia