Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-11-27
APPEAL SPECIALS.
The Trade Outlook at Philadelphia for
the Winter-All Indications Point
ing to Firmer
Prices and Large Volume Of Business
Manufacturing Interests in a
Healthy Condition.
Fatal Shooting ARRAY at Grenada, Miss
Accidents at Birmingham, Ala
The M0ffatt Case.
rspkcrAL TO TEE AprEAL.l


PHILADELPHIA, November 26.-Every
trade indication this week points to 6rmer
prices in all leading industrial products on
account OF steady incoming OF orders for
the winters demand. Trade combinations
have been strengthened and new combi-
nations have been created in three or four
industries, where they did not exist before.
manufacturing interests are endeavoring
to bring back prices to normal limits, and
will probably succeed in establishing 10
per cent. higher prices during the winter
than prevailed during the summer. The
reasons Tor this reaction are, first, the gen.
ersl advance in the rate of wages, an ad-
vance in nearly all kinds of raw material,
which, aching IN conf unction with the cur
taiiment of production, and the cautious
policy of buyers in stocking up during the
last twelve months, are combined to make
prices better and demand stronger for the
rest OF the fall and winter. These are the
general causes now at work. There are a
number of minor influences cooperating
to improve demand and strengthen prices,
chief of which is the confidence that is
found to exist everywhere in the future
improvement in trade. The opposite view
OF the case can be stated briefly, viz,
tnat the productive capacity in ell the
Industries is actually larger than
existing or probable consumptive demand,
and that il that capacity is pushed to its,
utmost, a reaction in prices will naturally
set in IN time to affect prices in the spring.
A great many manufacturers are cautious
about taking spring orders at present
prices, being uncertain as to the future
course of raw material, such as iron, steel,
wool, leather, lumber and other material.
In other branches of trade something
akin to speculative tendency is observa-
ole. For instance, tanners and wool grow
ers are holding stocks for better prices.
Iron and steel makers are working only on
orders in view of advancing prices. Rail-
makers are sold up and are declining in
several cases to quote prices for spring and
summer delivery, and for inquiries for
large lots on their own terms. A few
makers have advanced prices in some
cases. Dealers in hard woods are refusing
TO shade prices to large buyers for winters
supplies. Manufacturers of cars of all
kinds, particularly of frei hit cars, have re-
Gently placed large orders, running into
200 or 5000 cars, and are sufficiently sup
pied with orders to lead them to discon-
tinue their low rates, which brought in
the business now in hand The locomo-
| tive makers have secured large orders, but
are not running beyond go per cent. of
| their capacity, taking the entire locomo-
| tive capacity into account. Rail-makers
are three or four months ahead. 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, as the rush
ot the fall trade is over. The plate and
| sheet mills are fairly busy. The sash and
blind manufacturers expect to form COM
bination by which prices will be advanced
10 per cent. The boot and shoe manufact-
urers are receiving orders for spring in a
restricted way, but when the time comes
to place orders large amount of business
| will be secured, sufficient to run all the
capacity full time. Carpet manufacturers
are repairing and Improving plans
and will act together for higher
| prices on ordinary Brussels and ingrains
Every indication is favorable to either
steady or advancing prices, under the
healthy condition of the country at large.
| There are rumors of strikes among coal
| miners, particu arly in the anthracite re-
| gions, but it is probable that this will be
avoided by timely concessions on the part
| OF the producing companies who have
large contracts in hand and who are un-
able to permit suspension of production.
| The bituminou5 coal fields of Virginia
Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio are pro-
| d1cing heavily, and orders from manufac-
turing, railroad and other sources are in
| creaslng every week, but prices are but
| little stronger than duTiI the summer.
The sanguine views presented are based
| upon the facts as they exist at the present
time, yet it IS not beyond the limit of
probabilities to find slight reaction de-
veloped 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 country has Just
passed, and to the confidence thereby gen.
Grated as to the character OF the coming
spring trade. Railway building will be
prosecuted more vigorously next year than
this, and from the Improvement in traffic
which will follow, stimulus will be i'm
| parted to all industries.