The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-26
THE INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK.
--latest Reports from Industrial Centers-Im-
proving PriceS-An Active Winter Ahead.

Special to tho Indianapolis journal.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 25-Every trade indica-
ton this week points to frmer prices in all
leading industrial products on account of
steady incoming of orders for the winters de-
mand. Trade combinations have been strength
ened and new combinations have been created
il three or four industries, where they did not
exist before. Manufacturing interests are en-
deayoring to bring back prices to normal limits
and will probably succeed in establishing ten per
cent. higher prices during the winter than pre-
vailed during the summer. The reasons for
this reaction are, first, the general advance in
the rate of wages, an advance in nearly all
kinds of raw material, which, acting in con-
junction with the curtailment of production
and the cautious policy Of buyers in stocking up
during the last twelve months, combined to
make prices better and demand stronger for the
rest of the fall and winter. These are the gen
eral causes at work. There are a number
4 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 of trade. The oppo-
site view of the case be stated briefly, viz:
that the productive capacity in all the industries
I is actually larger than existing probable con-
sumptive demand, and that if that capacity is
pushed to it's utmost, 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 a
speculative tendency is observed. for instance
tanners and wool growers are holding stocks for
better prices Iron and steelnakers are work
ing only on orders. in view of advancing prices
Railmakers are sold up and are declining in sew
eral cases to quote prices for spring or summer
delivery and for inquiries for large lots on their
own terms few makers have advanced prices
in some cases. Dealers in hard woods are re-
| fusing to shade prices to large buyers for win
ters supplies Manufacturers Of cars Of all kinds
particularly of freight cars, have recently placed
large orders running into two or three
thousand cars, and are now 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 orders. but are not running beyond CO.
per cent of the capacity taking the entire loco
motive capacity into account. Railmakers are
three or four months ahead. The pipe makers
are crowded with orders. The nail-makers ar.
unable to supply the pressing demand From
all accounts the Western strike Will continue as
the rush or ran OruerS Is over. The plate and
sheet mills are fairly busy. The sash and blind
manufacturers expect to form combination by
which prices will be advanced 10 per cent. The
boot and shoe manufacturers are receiving Or
ders 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 manu-
facturers 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 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 have large contracts in hand aud
who are unable to permit suspension of pro
duction The bituminous coal fields of Virginia
Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio are pro-
ducng heavily, and orders from manufacturing
railroad and other sources are increasing every
week. but prices but little stronger than dur
ing the summer. The sanguine views presented
are based upon the facts they exist at the pres
ent time yet it is not beyond the limit of proba
bities to find slight reaction developing dur
ing the winter. because of the undue anxiety of
consumers of all kinds of raw and finished ma
terial to stock up heavily. This is due to the
vigorous fall trade through which the country
has just passed, and to the confidence threby
generated as to the character of the coming
spring trade Railway building will be prose
cuted much more vigorously next year than this /
and, from the improvement in traffic which will
folcw, a stimulus will DO impaired 20 all indus
tries