Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-11-17
APPEAL SPECIALS.
A Careful Review of the Condition Of
the Manufactures Of the Coun-
try Discovers the
Very Gratifying Fact that tie fdie Cap
liai Is Being Taken Up 2ap -
Encouraging Outlook.
The General Freight Agents OF the
South Determined to Put Stop
to Cutting Rates:
ESPECIAL TO THE APPEAL. !

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, November 16-
Losses in certain lines OF industrial activ.
ity are Offset by gains in certain other
| mes, leaving the net results of no less di-
| mensions than on previous weeks. The
most encouraging features in the indus
tries and trade is the steadily growing alb
sorption of idle capital, which f)r a year
past has been the subject of unfavorable
comment in financial and commercial cir
cles. The absorption is going on at the
rate CT some 100000 per week. and so
far as financial opinions go, which ordina-
rily are of very little account, the re-em
ployment of capital Will continue until
the surplus is reduced to healthy and
reasonable limits. Unemployment of
capital is the most favorable indication of
industrial activity throughout the coun-
try. Most OF it is going into avenues of
production rather than speculation, and
and is finding it5 way into the South and
West, where it is finding the highest re-
turns.
The iron trade is holding its own in
most branches, particularly in steel rails,
which have advanced to S33 for 10000 TO
$1,000 ton lots. Bridge iron is command
ing 81 to s. per 100 pounds. There are n
indications of any material falling off in
demand for iron or steel of any kind, un.
less in merchant iron, which ia being crowd
ed more and more gradually by merchant
steel. Work on the new mi Is is being
pushed along rapidly, and next years out
put will still further add to the competi
t|on with bar iron. Investigations are
being made with reference to the applica-
bility of the English steel making process
in pudding fprnaees With view OF intro
ducing it In this country next year. The
demand for all kinds of building material
has not fallen off any more than is to be
be expected this season. Prices are firm,
and production will be continued in
moderate way for orders that are ez
pected throughout the winter. The
output of agricultural iron and steel
has been large, and most establishments
are still fairly engaged on orders
that call for completion by the end of
November. The + lstern nail makers are
pleased at the rerolut!cn o. the Western
nail makers to fight the strike out to the
end, and it is now quite probable that
great many orders tor nails, which have
been held back for weeks on account OF the
expected termination of the strike, will
now come in and be placed at from 10 to
Is cents per keg higher. Natural gas
companies are in the market for between
fifteen and twenty miles of pipe which
will be wanted as fast ss it can he put
down. Important natural gas line pro-
jects are before the attention of Eastern
capitalists, and experts are now investi-
eating several questions connected not
only with the feasibility of the pre- ected
linea, but With broader questions con-
nec,ed with the use of natural gas at re-
mote points from wells. The crude iron in
dus,ry is in an improving condition, owing
to the fact that quite a number of furnaces
have sold their product ahead for from
one to three months. Southern comps-
uies will have an opportunity of slightly
advancing prices, owing to the iThnroEing
tendency in Eastern markets. old rails
are in very active demand and supplies
are lar below requirements. Quotations
are SIS, at tide water. The anthracite
coal trade is in vigorous condition, and
everything points to an enlargement of
next years output. The Nsw England
and lake markets are absorbing every ton
that can be shipped, but there are
doubts expressed as to the perma-
nencY of the present activity. Man.
others are supplying requirements
for winter, and it argued among buyers
that when these requirements are Fl led
there will be no sufficient demand for the
winter production, and that prices will re.
act in favor OF buyers. Bituminous coal
producers are meeting with heavier de-
mand, particularly for Beech Creek, Ohio
and Virginia coals, which are meeting
with much favor in Eastern markets. There
is falling off in the demand for carpets,
and several large concerns are preparing to
disemploy labor, for repairing and other
purposes, partly with view of discoupting
the demand for higher wages, concerning
which there are agItations.