Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-04
TRADES PULSE.
Two Opinions of the Outlook Expressed
by Manufacturers and Business Men.

Two Opinions of the Outlook Expressed
by Manufacturers and Business Men.
PHILADELPHIA, May 3.-Two opinions
are expressed by manufacturers and bus
mess men as TO the immediate industrial
business future Of the country. One that
the 8 or hour day to be inaugurated Will
carry away enough capital and enterprise
to preciplta semi-panlc upon the in
dustries and business generally. The
other is, that the settlement OF labor dis
putes, the fixing of wages and the salts
faction that Will grow out Of the disp0si-
tion OF all vexing questions will strength
en- confidence, increase investments and
lead TO a general improvement In busi-
ness. A few days will throw light upon
these opinions. Just at present a great
deal OF uncertainty exists as TO the out
come. Early in the season 1t was evident
that Vast amount OF money would be
expended In house aud mandatory
building, in the extension Of plants, and
the Improvement of capacity OF all kinds.
AT A sTANDsTILL.
That improvement was begun, but mat
teTs are now at a standstill in many de-
partments OF industry. In the iron trade
business rs only steady, and prices in
clined 10 weakness. Nails have declined
10 cents per keg; bar iron 81 TO 81 per ton.
steel rails are little weaker tban three
months ago, and, in general, quotations on
iron and steel are "A little of, although the
cOnsumptive demand Is large, considering
all the surrounding uncertainties. Cou-
tracts for 10000 tons OF bridge iron were
placed this week for export. Bridge
building contracts for bridges TO be built
across the Mississippi, Missouri and
Ohio rivers will call for between 10000
and 10000 tons Of material this year, and
will likely be placed IN time to impart
needed vitality to the industry.
RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION.
Railroad construction, 30 far this year,
foots up 600 miles as against $40 miles AT
the same time last year. The pipe skelp
mills are crowded with Orders. The pig
iron production IL over 10000 tons ahead
OF this time last year. and stocks are light
The textile manufacturers Oi the New
England and Middle States are quietly
organizing to protect themselves against
the inyasiOns Of labor, and large sums OF
money have been put up particularly in
Massachusetts and Rhode Island, for the
purvOse Of throwing a certain percent
agr OF productive capacity idle where
strikes take place, for the double purpose
Of restricting production and throwing
strikers idle without explanation.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
II Is probable that the action Ofthe New
York Chamber Of Commerce in giving eX.
preston 10 its Views upon the labor ques-
tion will he followed by Boards OF Trade
aud Chambers Of Commerce In other cit
les, should the S-hour reduction prove
general. Employers are apprehenslve
that much OF the business waiting 70 he
placed upon the market Will be driven OF
and that the summer demand will be a
dull one.
one OF the effects OF this suspension Of
activity would be a weakening in prices,
a curtailment OF production and an In.
crease In the number OF failures, which
Tor several weeks have boen declining in
number and Importance.
THE COAL TRADE.
The anthracite coal trade Is very acti We
and employers are hopeful that the
threatened strike will not take place for
some weeks 10 come. Bituminous coal ls
scarce, IN dear 10 Eastern markets, and
the demand for coke has Increased from
1900 10 $1,000 tons per day.
Travelling agents representing Eastern
manufacturing interests In the West and
South. report fair prospects tor the sum-
mer and iall shipment. provided no fur
ther industrial uncertainties arise.
Railway earnings continue light and
traffic lighter, and confidence IN railway
treatise weak.
wool Is declining In value under in
creased Importation and uncertainties AZ
70 the tall demand Tor woolen and aworsted
products