The Portland daily press., 1882-05-16
DOWN TOWN.
Financial-The Lumber Market-Miscel-
laneous.


country banks are reported to De dlscountine
| good paper at 8 to 81 per cent. Governments
were unchanged, except coupon as, which
| advanced 1-S, stocks were little stronger
| General business as quiet, in consequence Of
the unsettled weather, hence the abundance
| of UNEMPLOYED money, and the low rates of in
terest.
The local lumber market has undergone 20
material change in prices of late; if any varia-
ton is observed it is tendency to small stocks,
which, as regards some kinds of lumber, is on
ly temporary, receipts having been delayed,
sometimes by the unfavorable weather which
has prevented getting the logs to mill. The
demand for shipping lumber for coastwise
trade is good, but the supply is light. This,
however is regs rded as only temporary. Good
pine and spruce for the River Plate and other
South American ports have been in good de-
mand and prices firm; spruce is quoted at S15
to $1S in bond. There are now six vessels OF
large class at our wharves loading for South
America. The city requirements of lumber
for building uses are very light, but there is
an improved demand for doors, sashes and
blinds for out-of-town consumption Doors
have advanced in price, but sash, &C., remain
the same. The Portland dealers in doors and
sashes having stocked up last fall and winter,
when prices were favorable, are well supplied
now and answer orders promptly, but the re-
ports from manufacturers outside are that they
are behind their orders. Clapboards are in
clined to scarcity; extras are worth $50; clears
command from S26 to $2S; and second clear
are held at 1913 to 1926. Laths and shingles
are scarce; extra cedar shingles especially;
they will command our quotations of 1915 to
81; ispruce are more plenty at $1.40 to LEO.
Spruce fence rails are quite active just now,
the demand coming largely from Massachu-
sets, but the season is short, lasting not more
than two months; they are held at $14 in car
lots and SIS for small orders Hard wood
lumber of all kinds is firm and trade is fair.
In Southern pine the market is solid. The
stock on hand here is good, but the revival of
activity in the ship yards along the coast has
created an increased demand. There are
several large cargoes on the way to Portland
from Southern ports, or being got ready for
market, which are destined to be distributed
largely among the shipbuilders of Maine.
Boards are worth from $50 to $32, and timber
and plank range from $50 to $40, according to
quantity and length required. The same
cause which creates activity in Southern pine
fayorably affects ship timber and all kinds of
small stock used in ship yards. Since the begin
ming Of the year the demand has been steady
and quite satisfactory with fair prices.
There is talk among Philadelphia manufac-
turers of low grade cotton and mixed goods OF
suspending production for while. The
market is overstocked with old designs, which
are slow to be sold and to give way to imported
goods of newer style. The demand for the
higher grade of goods is still good, and
temporary suspension, as regards the common
class of fabrics, would, the trade believe, be
beneficial to their business.
Judge Blatchford of the U. s. District Court
in New York has just dismissed the complaint
in suits for alleged infringement of patents
brought against Cooperative Foundry Com
pany, Rochester. The patents are held in
valid because of reissue. The cases involved
the use of the CRATE below the fire pot, with
space between the CRATE and fire pot for the
insertion OF the poker and removal OF the
clinkers,.- The suits were known as the anti
clinker litigation. The first litigants pooled
their patents and issues and demanded royal
ties from the rest Of the manufacturers who
were not members of the syndicate The de-
mands were resisted and another association
was formed which successfully defended the
suits Six patents and five hundred thousand
dollars are involved in the cases. This deci-
sion is Of great interest to stove manufacturers
The Grocer's Bulletin cautions the public
against the use of soaps made of impure
often of decayed and putrid matter
By the aid Of chemical science, it says, the
noxious smell may be prevented; rosin is ad-
ded plentifully to cheaper the cost, perfume
hides the oder and the compound is passed out
to the unsuspecting purchaser for pure soap.
People often pay high price for little cake
Of toilet soap, but think anytime good enough
for the laundry. The Bulletin says: "When
the pores of the skin are open by perspiration,
the condition is favorable to absorbing into the
system any impurities in the soap which the
laundress may have failed to thoroughly rinse
out Of the garment owing to the greasy and
sticky condition of the soap used. Cases of
fever and diphtheria have frequently been
traced to the use of soap made of unfit
materials, and cases of skin diseases without
number to the same cause. The Bulletin fur
Their refers to the use, by unscrupulous manu-
facturers, of authorizations to "make weight"
such as marble dust "magnesia drier," both of
which are very cheap and may be added to the
soap to an amount as high as 25 per cent.