Savannah morning news., 1886-02-08
TRADES PULSE.
10000 Miles Of New Railroad Counted
ON for the Present YeAr.

PHILADELPHIA Feb. THE latest es-
Innate as TO the probable railway con-
struction for 1856, puts the mileage at
10000 miles. This is nearly three times
the amount that was constructed last
wear. Last week the Bessemer Steel Com
pany, controlling the fifteen rail mills Of
the United States, met and refused to in
crease the production beyond the 100000
tons voted upon some time ago, but ex-
pect to meet in thirty days and agree to
increase the production $50, 600 tons. The
financial agents of between twenty and
thirty projected roads are at present negO-
hating in this city, New York and Bos-
ton, for some twenty odd million dollars
necessary TO construct and equip the pro-
posed roads.
PRICES FIRM.
Quotations on iron, steel, nails and
hardware hold their own firmly. Agri-
cultural implement and tool works are
Increasing their work slowly. The Bald
win Locomotive Works start up today
full time and with tWO-thirds their full
working force. The manufacturers OF
railway appliances expect to have busi-
ness enough in hand by the middle Of
March 10 carry them into midsummer.
Prices OF all kinds of iron and steel are
firm, and an increasing demand for all the
products OF iron and steel is probable.
REDUCED HOURS OF TOLL.
The employers Of labor throughout near
ly all sections of the country are begin
ming to consider the proposed reduction
in the hours of labor from ten to eight.
Reduced pay Will be accepted. Strong
arguments are used by the labor unions
10 induce employers to cOnfoTm TO he new
programme, but it will be vigorously re-
, sisted, especially throughout the New
England and Middle Stales. The employ
ers do not believe that the movement will
be sufficiently strong and widespread to
merit their serious attention.
The manufacturers of cotton goods, and
of dress goods containing a slight ad-
mixture OF wool, are meeting with an ex-
traOTdinary demand, and are doing a
heavier business at this time than they
have done for years. The increased cost
of woOlens and wOrsteds is having the
effect, it would seem, OF driving the
BUYERS to the finer grades OF cotton goods,
and TO those OF part cotton and part
wool.
LIGHT HOSIERY.
The hosiery manufacturers are very
busy on spring and summer goods, and
are accepting orders at very little in
crease over last years prices. A great
deal Of knitting machinery has been put
IN within sixty days, and the manu-
lecturers of machinery are working full,
aud in some cases, over time, TO fill
orders.
The anthracite coal combination is yet
nj sea, although 10 is somewhat nearer a
settlement than 1t was. The Pennsyl-
vania company will work independently,
aud increase its production Of hard and
soft coal half million tons over last year.
The combination viii no doubt be re-
newed, but the increasing competition Of
bituminous coal from the Beech Greek,
POc0hontas, and other bituminOus fields
will enable manufac to purchase
supplies on more reasonable terms than
ever before in the history Of the coal
trade.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
The New England boot manufacturers
Will maintain their advance Of 81 10 50 on
boots per case. The numerous strikes
have started manufacturing in new direc-
tions. All the rubber manufacturers are
busy on late orders. The English market
Is taking q good deal more finished leatb-
er. Spring orders for boots and shoes are
pretty we'll IN. Exports Of sides from
New York have been very heavy.
Wool sales for the past week foot up
1.OoO,OOO pounds; prices are pointing up
ward. Those who still have wool in
hand are wisely holding II for higher
prices. Manufacturers who have not Sc
pured sufficient stocks. are trying to buv
asking higher prices.
SUGARS AND COFPEKs.
There are prospects OF further decline
I'm sugars aud cOfees, although there are
strong combinations Of capital in New
York contemplating cOrnering process
Upon these products, iC they think the
conditions OF trade will allow it. Low
prices have interfered with the cultiva-
tion OF beet sugar In Germany and France
but an increased stimulus has been given
10 the cultivation OF sugar cane In Louis
Jana, and TO the cultivation OF sorghum
jn the Western States. by improvements
ln the processes for extracting the Juice
Tbe latest advices from South America
show abundant. stocks OF coffee, and 4
downward tendency In prices.
The general market conditions arc ta-
Torable TO steady prices throughout the
kear. but there 10 a tendency among
manufacturers and traders Of all kinds 70
bombine, In order 10 prevent as much
competition this year, as was suffered
from IN 1885.