The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-11-25
BUSINESS OUTLOOK.
ACTIVITY IS NOTICED
10 the DlnOrsnt Branches Of Trads-Ths
Latest Reports from the Various Indus.
trial CsntOrs..PriceS Somewhat Better
andDsmAnd for Products stronger.


|
Special OOrsSpOnAols Of ne Iatelltseo1.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 2S.-Every trade
indication this week points to frmer
prices in all leading industrial products on
account Of steady incoming Of orders for
the winters demands. Trade combina-
tions have bsen strengthened and new
combinations have been created in three
or four industries where they did not
exist before. Manufacturing interests are
endeayoring to bring back prices to nor
NAL limits, and will probably succeed in
establishing ten percent higher prices dur
ing the winter than prevailed during the
summer. The reasons for this reaction
are first the general advance in the rate Of
wages, an advance in nearly ell kinds Of
raw material, which, acting in conjunction
with the curtailmento Of production, andth
cautious policy OF buyers in stocking up
during the last twelve months, are com.
bined TO make prices better and demand
stronger for the rest oi the fall and winter.
These are the general causes now at work.
MINOR INFLUENCES AT WORK.
There are number OF minor influences
cooperating TO improve demand and
strengthen prices, chief Of which is the
confidence that is found to exist every.
where in the future Improvement Of trade,
The opposite view OF the case can be stated
briefly, viz, that the productive capacity
In all the industries Is actually larger than
existing or probable consumptive demand,
and that If that capacity Is pushed 10 its
utmost, reaction will naturally set in in
time TO effect prices in the spring. A
great many manufacturers are cautious
about taking spring orders at presen,
prices, being uncertain as TO tho future
course OF raw material, such as iron, steel,
wool, lumber, leather and other material.
In other branches Of trade something akin |
70 speculative tendency is observed. |
For instance, tanners and wool growers
are holding stocks for better prices.
Iron and steel makers are working only
IN orders in view Of advancing prices.
Nail makers are sold up and are declining
in several cases TO quote prices for spring |
and summer delivery and for inquiries |
tor large lots on their own terms. A few
makers have advanced prices in some
cases. Dealers in hard woods are refusing
% shade prices to large buyers for win
ters supplies. Manufacturers OF cars OF
all kinds, particularly freight cars, have
recently received large orders running
into two or three thousand cars, and are
sufficiently supplied with orders to lead
Them to discontinue their low rates, which
brought in the business now in hand. The
locomotive makers have secured large or
ders, but are not running beyond 10 per-
cent Of the capacity, taking the entire To-
comotive capacity into account. Rail
makers are three or four months ahead.
EASTERN NAIL MAKERS.
The pipe makers are crowded with
orders. The nail makers are unable to
supply the pressing demand. From all
accounts the western strike will continue,
al the rush OF fall trade is over. The
plate and sheet mills are fairly busy. The
sash and blind manufacturers expect 10
form combination by which prices will
be advanced ten percent. The boot and
shoe manufacturers are receiving orders |
for spring in restricted way, but when |
the time comes 10 place orders large
amount OF business will be secured, sufti-
cient to run all the capacity full time.
Carpet manufacturers are repairing and
plants and will act together for |
higher prices on ordinary Brussels and in |
grains. Every indication Ia favorable to |
either steady or advancing prices, under |
the healthy condition Of the country at
large. There are rumors OF strikes among |
coal miners, particularly in the anthracite !
regions, but it Is probable that this will be |
avoided by timely concessions, on the
part OF the producing companies who |
nave large contracta on hand and are un-
able to permit suspension Of production.
The bituminous coal fields of Virginia,
MARYLAND, Pennsylvania and Ohio are
producing heavily, and orders from manu-.
railroads and other sources are
every week, but prices are but
little stronger than during the summer.
The sanguine views presented are based
upon the views as they exist at the
present time, yet it Is not beyond the
limit Of probabilities, to find 0 reaction
developed during the winter, because Of
the undue anxiety OF consumers Of all
kinds Of raw and finished material to |
stock up heavily. This is due to the
vigorous fall trade, through which the
has just passed, and to the conf
ience thereby generated as TO the char
acter Of the coming spring trade. Rail.
way building will be prosecuted much
more vigorously next year than this, and
from the improvement in traffic which
win follow, a stimulus will be impaired
10 all industries.