Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-09-29
APPEAL SPECIALS.
Encouraging Trade Outlook at Phila-
delphia-Industries in General More
Profitably Employed
Than at Any Time During the Past
Two Years-Improvemen's In the
iron Market.
Arrangements for the Huntsville ala,
and Helena Ark Fairs-Heavy
Rains at Duck Hill, Miss.
IspKd1AL TO THE APPEAL I

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, September 2S.--The
past six days has developed more marked
and encouraging improvement in the iron
and steel markets than has been shown
for the past year. Material Of all kinds
has advanced-pig iron 80 cents to 81 per
ton, har and plate iron one-tentb. Bridge
and building iron is likely to 90 up Nails
are selling at card rates, and are on the eve
OF an advance. The wrought iron pine
makers met and agreed to advance prices
within thirty days. Steel rails are selling
at E28 80 to $50. Old material is in active
demand. Merchant steel of all sinds is
held at tirmer prices than for six months.
All these are very encouraging indica-
tons to manufacturers of New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and o 1io, and are welcome,
not 30 much for the trifling advance as an
evidence OF the general improving condi-
tion-of the country.
The coal producers East and West are
securing heavier orders for winter deliv-
cry, but there is no sign of the general i'm
provement in prices. Competition in coal
is likely to continue very active, which
will be to the advantage of manufacturers
and domestic consumers.
Contractors and builders are pushing
construction very actively in this city and
all other Eastern cities, and lumber of all
kinds is selling very low, because of the
anxiety of holders, both North and South,
TO unload all the stocks possible for cash.
1t seems to be the general opinion among
manufacturers of lumber that prices will
improve 10 per cent. next spring, but this
depends upon their ability to restrict pro-
| duction very materially. Yellow pine is
rather scarce, owing to the lighter arrivals
at New York and Philadelphia during the
past two weeks. Henlock is selling at $40
| to Sl2, white pine at SIS to S22. The hard
woods are moving with fair activity.
| The boot and shoe makers are crowding
| out more stocks than at this time last
year, and manufacturers OF all grades oi
| goods make fi4ttering reports as to the
| present prospective condition OF trade
| The Philadelphia and Massachusetts facto
ries are all busy, and in many cases pre-
pairing samples for spring goods. There are
| rumors OF al advancing tendency il
leather, but an advance is doubtful.
Clothiers report that they are behind
hand in filling or orders. Two years age
the clothing business was overdone Sinct
| then the clothing manufacturers havs
been pursuing more cautious course, anC
the demands of the country have nov
overtsken supply. Prices have not beer
advanced, but no further concessions ar,
likely to be made. The next years cot
ton crop is estimated at Z, 100000 bales
In view Of this abundance, decline il
cotton goods next year is anticipated
There is abundant inquiry for wooden ant
cotton goods in all Eastern markets ant
prices are quite firm, especially for novel
ties. The market for fannels is growinj
stronger every day on account Of the ex
pected advance in wool. There is heav,
Southern demand for satinettes and fame,
cassimeres and suitings. The full hosier,
and knit goods machinery is now in op
Grafton throughout all Eastern markets
and is wholly engaged on orders. Th
carpet manufacturers are still crowdet
with orders, and prices are firm.
The industries in general are more profit
ably employed than at any time for eight
cen months or two years. The deman
under which the mills and factories of tn
country are working is for actual require
ments, which have been withheld lon
time. During the past few months ever
effort possible has been mnde to decreas
the cost of production, and to increase th
, productive capacity of mills, by improve
ments in machinery, etc. A great deal {
new and improved machinery has bee
erected in mills of ali kinds, and there
scarcely IN industry to be named, bJ
what has increased its productive capacit
and decreased cost of production. An
advance in prices will give them corre
, pondingly better margin. A pretty ger
, eral advance in the rate of wages has bee
made, which will offset the advantage
| somewhat. There is q general iDcreasin
, demand, and hopefulness among buysl
and manufacturers that the extreme d.
preston has been reached, and that, wit
| the avoidance of unnecessary legislatio
! | in Congress, larger spring trade will |
i | opened than has been enjoyed for years.