Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-25
THE INDUSTRIAL SITUATION.
Large Contracts. Mills Busy
lis II Reaction Coming?

Large COntracts.-T Mills Busy
is II Reaction Coming?
PHILADELPHIA, May 2i.-The indus
trial situation is improving. The agIta-
ton for shorter hours is practically over
in all but two or three cities. -Four thou
sand workers have returned TO ten hours.
New enterprises are being held back in
part. Architects aud builders report
growing confidence. Real estate opera
tions have greatly fallen of, and lower
prices will probably DE accepted for city
and suburban properties before building
activity is revived fully.
STEEL RAILS.
During the week large contracts for
steel rails were placed and inquiries are
coming in for railroad equipments and
bridge and plate iron. On the other hand,
dizziness prevails in bars, sheets and pig
iron, The iron trade generally ia fair.
The early adjustment of all coal strikes
will set ~. 900 bituminOus miners at work.
The anthracite demand ia increasing. The
June output will be 2,f00,000 tons. Both
the Pennsylvania company and the Read
ing company are establishing special IA
ciities for the rapid development of their
southern and coastwise trade. Prices
rule firm.
CARPETS, HOSIERY AND SILK.
The carpets, hosiery, silk and general
dry goods manufacturers have been able
to keep quite busy for the dull season.
The clothing manufacturers, having set
tied their difficulties, are now crowdlng
out stock for an early fall trade. New
carpet making machinery is going in.
This years production OF textile goods
will be in excess of last years. The eX-
pOrtatiOn OF American textile products is
increasing, as well as Of knitting and
some other machinery. Wool is quiet.
This weeks local sales 100000 pounds,
BUILDING ENTERPRISE.
The partial revival of building enter
prise in New England and in the Middle
States is the precursor of general re-
vyal in spite Of shorter hours and higher
pay. The month of June promises to be
one OF great activity IN iron, steel, coal,
lumber, ana ia railway material.
The organization OF EMPLOYERS In pro-
tective organizations continues, and a
federation among the several branches is
now contemplated,
POSSIBILITY OF A REACTION.
The possibility of a reaction in prices is
contemplated In some quarters, but the
chances are against it. Manufacturing
interests will continue the restriction
policy throughout 1886, but will expand
capacity to be ready for any sudden
growth Of demand.
Commercial failures are limited. Col
lections are not unusually difficult. Buy
ers are very cautious in all branches OF
trade and only actual wants are supplied.
But little if any good is expected TO flow
from Congressional labor legislation
Both labor and capital VIII perfect their
ORGANIZATIONS and thereby command re-
spect and consideration.
SMALL MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES.
An impetus will be given this summer
and fall to the multiplication OF small
manufacturing enterprises by reason of
the production OF cheap machinery and
the Introduction of various new ana i'm
proved processes. Another stimulus is
coming from the liberal offerings OF cap
ital from those who have heretofore re-
fused TO venture outside OF strong tinan-
cial centres. Besides this, at no time has
there been as liberal speculations OF all
kinds as at the present.