The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-08
Tue CONDITION OF TRADE
EARrERN MANUFACTURERS DIS
COUNTING THE Strikes.
Increased Activity In All Branches
All Textile Mills Running
Full Time.
IsrrcrLL TO rHE APPEAl-I

PuILApKLPHIA, PA, April THE
larrest manufacturing concerns of
Pennsylvania, New York and all the
New England States are d%iscounting
the Southwestern strike and are plac-
ing heavy orders for ma erial and pro-
ducts Of all kinds at mi ID sand furnaces
and factories. A vast amount of bust
ness has been held back during the
past thirty days simply on account Of
the strikes, the agitations for shorter
hours and the general uncertainty re-
sulting therefrom. The industrial and
manufacturing interests see their way
through these difficulties. Meantime
the consumptive demands of the
country have been increasing rather
than declining, and at distributing
points stocks are pretty we'll exhaust
cd, while at all large manufacturing
centes there are no goods on hand
and orders are on boo S calling for a
full output Of mills for from one to
four months. In Western Pennsyl-
vania the iron and steel-making ca
pacity is loaded down with orders
more heavily than for years and a gem
eral improvement in prices is probable
there. In Eastern PENNSYLVANIA there is
less activity, but still large amountof
business is hanging on the edge of the
market waiting for the first symptoms
OF an improvement. During the past
week some Il, 000,0 900 feet Of lumber
have been thrown into Philadelphia
and New York markets, and some
fifteen or twenty cargoes are on the
way from Southern ports, with yellow
pine, 10 fill urgent orders for builders,
railroad builders and other consumers
Of Southern pine. Lumber is firm in
price, and yard men are stocking up.
Everything is uncertainty rs 10 the
continuance of a bituminous coal
strike. The miners are better organ.
lied than usual, and will probably
hold out for some time In Eastern
Pennsylvania and in New jersey be-
tween thirty and sixty manufacturing
establishments have shut down, and
during the next sixty days as many
moro will be obliged to suspend, UNI
less bituminOus supplies are received,
Urgent orders n c telegraphed for coke.
The anthracite miners are working
full time, and an urgent demand is
coming in from all quarters.
All Of the textile mills Of Philadel-
phia are running full time with excel
lent prospects. Wool il declining in
price and demand, and foreign sup
plies are coming in. Cotton is being
more largely used in hosiery than
usual 70 compensate for the increasing
cost. A great deal of interest is being
developed in the cultivation Of ramie
in tho South. Manufacturers are
wary and cautious. Prints and print
cloth cont nue. in slow demand. A
better feeling prevails in dry goods
circles ever trade prospects which will
improve when the strikes are settled.
There is a prospect Of q settlement Of
labor difficulties throughout the
country during the next two weeks.
The organization of manufacturers
in the cotton and wooden goods indus
try and manufacturers in several other
Industries is being quietly pushed, but
with prospects of securing a great deal
OF attention at last. Delegates will be
this week 10 attend the Ma
Lional Convention of Employers in
Chicago next month, where some pro-
gramm0 i0g organized e10rt viii be
upon.
Next week the organization OF as
somblieS Hndor the Knights of Labor
will be renewed, and it Is understood
that there are between 1900 and 1900
applications already ready TO be acted
upon.