Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-11-02
A BRIGHT OUTLOOK.
indications That the Year Will be
Busy and Prosperous.

New YORK, October 3l.-The most con-
spicuous feature in the general trade situs-
ton reported this week 10 Bradstreet's is
pronounced improvement in the iron and
steel industries. Pig iron, even in the
East, is more general and in frmer de-
msnd, and makers are as result waving
aside all negotiations for deliveries in 1886.
Prices for pig iron are unchanged, although
an early advance for best quality Lehigh
ircn would Lot be surprising. Stocks are
very light, old rails are scarce, and the
normal quotations Of Sl8 and $40 do not
buy them. :,
The feeling in the trades is buoysnt, and
considerable confidence is expressed as to
the future. Bar iron is in better demand
also. Steel rails, however, have made the
greatest advance thus far, touching $32 per
ton at the East aud $35 at Chicago, a
gain of 81. Orders from Southern rail
roads have been frequent and these. with
renewal snd extension requests generally,
while not as heavy in the aggregate
as some exaggerated statements recent
" made concerning them, have filled
up the mills for the current year.
1886 WILL BE BUSY YEAR.
The prospect is that 1886 will prove
busy ore for the rail mills. Anthracite
coal is fully as active as heretofore, and
bituminous somewhat more so.
This argues well for manufacturing in
dustries Strikes in certain lines Of the
glass and nail industries continue. The
movement of general merchandise is no
heavier than last week, with the exception
that at Chicago it is reported that season
able lines of goods move briskly, and that
with q continuance Of the existing rate OF
country purchases, another period of no
ticeable activity is likely 10 result.
At ST. Louis dry goods are selling &C
lively and although the weather has
checked trade generally the volume OF
sales for eight weeks past has been OF
or itifying proportions Cincinnati also
reports q better business, especially in dry
goods. Philadelphia, Memphis, Cleveland
Detroit, Burlington, Ia, st. Paul aud
Minneapolis, have had a more moderate
volume of trade, though offair proportions.
Continued cold weather is expected TO re-
duce stocks and start buying from first
hands.
On the Atlantic seaboard there are but
few new features. There is an increased
call for funds, which is not as yet reflected
fully by an advance in interest rates.
BETTER BUSINESS THAN LAST YEAR.
The dry goods movement is still ahead
of that at like period in 1884, but below
that of one month ago. Prices are steady.
Wool sales, too, are checked, with prices
firm.
Wheat has been irregular under spscula
tive influences. The market was sustained
yesterday in the face of heavy selling only
by the covering of long line Of shorts,
The large receipts of the Northwest are re-
ported to be from interior elevators. Min
nesota and Dakota farmers are busy plow-
ing and are shipping very little grain.
Corn has been frmer relatively, with
better demand for cash and small stock.
Flour is moderately firm and varies in
strength with wheat. Provisions are very
dull. Petroleum hangs about where it
landed efler the late rush upward. The
export movement in grain and provisions
is as light as ever, and ocean freights
are very low and quiet There has been
a fair but somewhat forced distribution
of grocery staples, with lower prices for
tea, coffee and sugar. Dairy products are
dull, except for fancy butter, and the ex-
port trade is Disappointing.
There were Ito failures in the United
States during the past week, as compared
with lac the preceding week, and with
POS. 1875 and l5+ respectively in the cor
responding weeks of 1884, 1888 and 1882
About 81 per cent. were those OF
small traders whose capital was less than
S. 900 Canada had 81, decrease of 3