The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-03
FRIGHTENING UP.
THE STATE OF THE IRON TRADE
An Inerease of Inquiries, Though til.
Prices Keep Low-Thc Prospects
for the Fall bust.
ness, Etc.

PITTSBURGH, July Enquiries among
gentlemen well posted in regard to the
condition OF the iron trade reveal the fact
that Just at present the manufacturers are
enjoying the usual quietness allowed to all
kinds OF business during hot weather
Most OF the mills in the city are running
though few are making full time; one Oh
two have shut down altogether, on account
OF the scarcity Of orders, and two, the
Pittsburgh Forge and Iron Company and
Elba Iron Works, are idle, because of 9
strike. The temporary stoppage during
the strike OF the puddlers for S. so scale
was utilized by many firms to take the
usual inventory Of stock and make the re
pairs which steady run necessitates, and
this will avoid any complete stoppage for
that purpose now. One or two mills, how.
eyer, waited for their regular stock taking
season, so that they will be compelled tc
shut down again soon.
The greatest complaint at present is the
scarcity Of orders, none Of the mills ap,
pearing to be overcrowded. In the hoop
iron department, one mill reports bust,
ness medium, while another says tis un.
usually dull, and the state OF the entire
business in the city might be classified in
that way, as varying from medium to dull.
Prices are not near 80 low as just pre-.
yious to the boom Of last year. At the
time pig iron was selling at from S17 to
SIS, and bar iron was quoted as low Us u
cents. AT present pig is stationary at
about S22 to s2S, aud the list price OF bar
iron is q cents, though sales are made be.
low that figure. No fears, however, are
expressed that prices will go lower OF
more nearly approach the ruinous ones
referred to. The reason given for this
confidence is that the late strike has made
the price OF producing iron s. so, more
tnRn it wasat that time, and the prices for
ore being made by contracts extending q
long distance ahead will, without doubt,
remain as at present until the contracts
are completed. With labor = 80 per tor
higher and ore at 50 25 there could not be 9
return TO the prices OF the beginning Of the
year.
The Market though hardly satisfactory al
present, gives signs ofimproyement daily.
and there has been general stiffening nI
In prices since the middle OF last month,
At Detroit, for instance, about the 18th ol
June, several special lots OF nails wsrt
sold, delivered, at 50 70, while at present
none can be bought lower than S. %
There seems TO be scarcity Of nails al
throughout the West. Buyers held of
until after the last meeting Of the Nail As
ISOLATION, anticipating reduction in the
prices at that time, but the Association de
cided to stick to the ruling rates, and now
Western dealers are making inquiries ir
order TO buy their fall supply as near tie
price decided upon as possible.
Inquiries for iron are much more nu
merous than ever before at this season
but the prices don't seem to suit, and as /
consequences orders are not coming In a
rapidly as desired heimpression amonI
the manufacturers seems to be that con
sumers must have the iron, and in ashor
time will be compelled to pay the pric,
asked for 1t. There Is q firmer feeling re
ported In the market everywhere, which
with the brisk demand, promises well 10
a good steady fall trade at living figures
The English iron market has also i'm
proved within few weeks, and though n
rise In prices has taken place, the ieelin
Is much flrmer. At present the prices
delivered In this country after the pay
ment OF the tarif, rule very near that 9
the American manufacturer, the America
being somewhat the cheapest.