The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-05
EASTERN MANUFACTURES.
Iron and Steel Markets Active-General Man.
ufacturing Demand Improving.
Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.

~
Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. "a week has devel-
oped a large amount of business in all branches
of industry. The textile manufacturers are
busy with orders for dress and cotton goods,
carpets, Jerseys and knit goods of all kinds,
particularly hosiery. The iron makers are busy
with orders for merchant bars, season hard
ware. including a long list of specialties, nails,
plates and bridge iron. The rail makers have
failed to advance their price to $50, as was ar
ranged for at their Long Branch meeting. The
temper of the rail buyers is against paying more
than 1927. Inquiries for over 100, 900 tons have
been in the markets for over ten days. So far
as can be ascertained contracts have not reached
20, 900 at mills. Brokers here and at New York
state that they have inquiries for about 10, 600
tons, and contracts could be placed at $27 or
$275O. The probabilities are that contracts will
be placed at about $2z. Orders for 4 900 tons of
forge iron has been placed in Pennsylvania mills,
including liberal orders for sheets and plates.
The Western nail men will continue their policy
of fighting the union because of their ability to
fill orders from stocks that will not be depleted
for some time to come.
Eastern lumber dealers have recently secured
large lots of white pine from the Northwest,
spruce from Maine and yellow pine from
Georgia, and are now we'll stocked up with both
ordinary and hard woods for the late fall demand.
Prices have weakened a little under the liberal
receipts, and in some cases seasoned lumber is
not readily obtainabie. Great activity prevails
in all Atlantic cities in building, particularly in
New York and Philadelphia. An immense
amount of capital is being invested in buildings
large and small, and the interest will be main
tanned until the close of the season. Even at
this late date a large amount of building Is pro-
Ynnfn6 ond xr:1l ~ nn+a nAnn nd ann
pleted, provided the early winter weather allows.
The anthracite coal producers are making a
severe struggle to hold prices. but the cutting
has been very severe during the past few DAYS,
and the lowest prices ever known to the trade
now prevail. The bituminous coal trade is &C
tive and the production in the Clearfield and
Cumberland sections averages $50, 900 tons per
week. The anthracite production last week was
10000 tons, of which the Reading company pro-
duced and carried 391, 900 tons.
The demand for bridge iron will continue
active until the close of the season, and the
structural mills as wei, as the pipe mills will run
full time in order to fill orders In hand.
The carpet manufactures have orders sufficient
to run them full time until Christmas. No ad-
vance in prices is thought of. The hosiery
manufactures are rapidly filing up with orders.
but the increase in machinery during the past
twelve months has largely increased the avail
able supply. The manufacturers of textile ma
chinery are pretty we'll crowded with orders for
looms and textile machinery of ali kinds for
Southern as well as Northern mills.
The industrial situation is decidedly better,
but at present there are no assurances of it's con.
tinuance beyond September. although the re
s%triction which has been maintained in manu-
featuring establishments throughout the country
for twelve months past, as well as the naturally
expanding requirements of the country, ~justifes
the belief that the demand for the products of
our mills and shops throughout the coming win
ter will be materially larger than last winter.
Manufacturers agents and jobbers in all branches
of trade report but little difficulty in making
prompt collections. but unusual caution is exer-
cised in granting credit. The fall opens under
bright auspices, and the manufacturing interests
are fully prepared to take advantage of the i'm
provement, and will not obstruct it by any
effort to advance prices.