Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-13
SIGNS OF COMING THRIFT.
100000 TONS OF STEEL RAILS
WANTED AT FAIR PRICES.

The Syndicate Holding Out for $40 to
S31 and Buyers Offering Sc Less
Freight Rates Assuming an Upward
Tendency-Lumber Going Fairly Well
Heavy Orders for Boots and Shoes
philadelphia, Oct. 12.-Steel rail
brokers and mill agents have inquiries
and offers for about 200, 900 tons of steel
rails for winter and spring delivery.
Many large buyers do not believe the steel
rail combination can arbitrarily hold rails
at a 20 per cent. advance at this time, and
will deter placing large orders until the
ability of the syndicate to do so is tested.
Quotations are $50 to S31; offers $2S to $50.
The Western nail makers strike since
June !, involving $500 of the 5000 nail
machines, has crowded prices from SO 10
S3 40, and stocks are exhausted. Heavy
orders for wrought pipe, sheet iron and
merchant steel were placed in Penn
sylvania mills this week at card
rates, and small orders for merchant
bars at 81 70; plate iron ST 80;
bridge iron &c. to &c. per pound. Best
makes Of crude iron are firm at soc. per
ton advance. Ordinary makes are de-
cllning. The weeks imports of slab iron,
swedish iron, wire rods and plates are
heavy. Prices are firm for coal Lake
and cOastwlse freights are advancing uu-
der efforts at combination and increasing
season demand. Heavy deliveries are
being hastened forward under old an
thracite contracts. Rail rates to Eastern
points will be advanced Nov. 1, and cir
cular prices will follow. Boston and
Chicago markets have advanced 25c., and
orders are croWding in from local and
outside buyers. Manufacturing demand
is active in view of higher November
prices.
THE DEMAND FOR COAL.
A sharp improvement in demand for BIZ
luminous coal has set in, in all markets to
cover winter requirements and to take ad-
vantage of the possibility of an advance
in freight rates by trunk lines, under con.
sideration.
Lumber dealers throughout all eastern
lumber markets have been stocking up
literally for the future trade, aided by the
cut freight rates recently restored. Yards
are temporarily we'll stocked, hut a re.
markably active distribution for building,
railroad requirements and furniture re-
qutrements,is in progress at steady prices
though allowing extremely narrow mar.
gins.
Wool continues active in local, Boston
and Philadelphia markets, though all
manufacturers buy cautiously, showing q
preference to pay higher prices, il neces.
sary, rather than make speculative pur.
chases. Low woods are wanted, and are
scarce. Fine heeces and pulled wools are
scarce and firm. Confidence is gaining
and higher prices are probable.
Clothing manufacturers are crowded
with orders everywhere. Carpet orders
are so 10 go days ahead. Hosiery and knil
goods are rather quiet but an enormous
demand holds prices firm. WoOlens are
gaining in activity and manufacturers re-
port rapid depletion of stocks. Work is
in progress in all textile branches on
spring samples.
Boot and shoe orders to iobbers and
manufacturers indicate a heavy demand
particularly for the finer grades Of work
There is no falling off at factories and the
outlook is encouraging.
The Industrial situation throughout
New England and Middle States is gath
eriDg strength and consumptiye capacity
slowly is expanding.