The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-19
TIE CONDITION OF TRADE.
NO MARKED IMPROVEMENT DUR.
ING THE WEEK.
PrOspf cts for the Summer Very Pair,
but Largely Dependent ON the
Labor Agitation.

PHILADELPHIA, May I8.-Four COM
binations OF employers were formed
last week in the New England and
Middle States, representing $4,000
worklDgmen. The movement is en-
couraged by leaders of labor organiza-
tons, who believe that this will lead
faster TO the acceptsnce OF arbitration
and TO the establishment of wages by
scales or schedules.
Business has not improved percep-
tibly for a week. Large buyers are
wa ting to judge what will be the out
come of the thorter hour movement.
Investments aggregating into millions
are waiting for the word ego" The
outflow of gold will be brief. An
early depression in prices in bread
stuhs is probable.
The iron and steel production con-
tinues at 10000 tons per week for
crude iron, 1000 tons per day for rolled
iron, and $4,000 kegs per day for nails.
The steel rail output is at present 5000
tons per d-y, sufficient to lay sixty
miles of track per day. The total con-
sum ption OF coal per hour, day and
night, is 10000 ms.
The production If iron, steel, coal
and lumber is steadily increasing, and
the output of the current year will be
not less than 10 per cent. or alter than
last year in thr e items, 20 per cent
Buyers are still holding of, owing to
the labor disturbances, which threaten
to extend and involve as many ss
100000 workers. The Congress of
Trades Unions is in session this week
in Philadelphia, and sixty unions,
representing $4,000 workmen, are
represented
Builders and architects report from
Boston, New York and Chicago that
by June LIST a general revival of build
ing will take place, provided labor
troubles quiet down. Lumber dealers
are making summer contracts for
white and yellow pine in l-rge quanti-
ties at last year'sp ices. Brick makers
and slate manufacturers have closed
large fall contracts at full prizes.
1he carpet, cloth, h siery and silk
manufac uTers are wal ing for June to
pass before deciding on the coure for
the last half of the year. Wool is de-
clining in price and large quantities
are arriving from abroad. Textile
machinery makers report a sharp
trade improvement. Four locomotive
and six or seven large car works book
fall orders for engines and cars.
The anthracite coal trade is strong
and active and production is ten
thousand tons per day. The bitumi-
nous strike continues and thirty
thousand tons per day are kept out of
the market. Tie purpose of manu-
facturers is to advance the prices of
nearly all kinds of manufactured pro-
ducts five to ten p cent TO cover in
creased labor cost.
Money continues phenomenally
abundant at the financial centers but
scare elsewhere. Lenders are offer.
ing country banks funds to loan in
many cases TO secure the exceptional
high rural rates
The trade prospects for the summer
are fair, but very much depends upon
the course OF INTERPRETATIONS during
the next two weeks. Prices incline to
weaken in several trades simply be-
cause demand is checked.
There is probabi ity OF extraordi-
nary railroad bui ding during the last
half of the year. Large loans are now
in process OF negotiation for railway
and bridge building in the west during
the next twelve or eighteen months