Omaha daily bee., 1889-09-09
IRON IS STILL IMPROVING.
Prices Hardening and Good Fall
Business Anticipated.
STEEL FIRM AT FULL RATES
Copper Moving Better-Dry Goods
Ruling Steady With Plenty of Or
ders Ahead-Groc cries Quiet
The Alleged Leather Trust
Trade and Com merce.

Trade aud Com mmerce.
BosroN, Sept 9-The Improvement noted
in the iron market continues, and while no
special activity is noticeable, trade foots up
well in the aggregate. The general market
appears to be steadily harden ing and the sit
uation continues favorable, with indications
pointing to good fall business. The prin-
cipal strength still appears to centre in
Pennsylvania and the west but as buyers
here are IN need Of supplies they feel the
effect of the stronger market there.
t'reights have been advanced, while
thei increased cost of fuel also
enters largely into the higher cost of
production. As yet buyers have not at
tempted to stock up to any extent, but conh-
dence is being restored, and there is more
disposition shown to buy ahead With any
speculative demand, the market is in posi-
tion to show sharp advance, but even
where dealers are free buyers, they only
purchase to meet their own necessities
The record of industrial events reveals a
number of additions the past week to the
rolling mills in operation in Pennsylvania,
not the least important of which is the Read
ing Iron company's works ut Reading, Pa,
including, besides their rolling mills, the
pipe and tube mills and foundry, which nave
been idle for a period of about six months.
The resumption of operations has, in many
instances, been due to the Improvement in
the demand for various forms of finished
iron, and in others TO the settlement of labor
disputes that have caused u temporary sus-
pension of work. Manufacturers of railroad
equipment and track supplies are reported to
have secured more orders during August
than in any preceding month for some time
past, and are now IN good position. The
general condition of the foundry business is
also reported to be quite brisk.
Pig iron continues firm, with the tendency
towards still further advance in the west
The advance III freights, and the higher cost
of coke causes prices to be held firmer, and
buyers, in order to get supplies, are obliged
to pay more than formerly. The demand is
still of moderate character, however. as
buyers do not make practice of stocking up
as formerly, but generally have the iron
shipped to them from time to time as they
need it, Considerable iron has been con-
tracted for IN this way for forward delivery,
aud thus while new business is moderate,
steady deliveries in fuliillment of old con-
tracts are still going forward. These de-
liveries are sufficient to absorb the produc-
tion so closely that in the face of the heavy
production going on there is very little ac-
emulation of standard brands in first hands.
The only weakness noticeable is for some
brands that are comparatively new to east
ern consumers and for which easy prices
would occasionally be accepted to bring
the iron into favor. Scotch iron is still too
high to compete with American grades, anu
Is nominal in price.
Bar iron is firm. and values are showing
more strength. The former low.priced sell
ers of the west have advanced their views,
and this makes the competition less close.
Eastern millmen are asking Sl.70@l.75, but
no large lots could be bought at the former
rate. From store the range of sales is S1.75
0l.S5 for the best refined bars. Swedish
iron is active and firm. General grades of
manufactured iron continue firm, although
the movement with dealers is still moderate.
Dealers who stocked up literally under
the former depressed market are not disposed
to press sales in the least, as they have con-
tidence in the situation. General prices show
no material change here, although buyers
are not getting any concessions from pres
ent rates. The better tone induces more
free purchases, but buyers are not yet dis
posed to purchase largely ahead. Tank iron
and steel plates remain firm and move quite
freely at full values, while steam piping Is
yet going forward steadily in the way of de-
liveres of former purchases. The compa-
nies are well supplied with orders for the
larger sizes of piping, and have business
booked to carry them well into the winter.
Radiators and piping for steam heating pur-
poses is beginning to attract attention, and
business is generally brisking up.
The market for all kinds of steel Is firm,
and the depression of a few months ago has
entirely disappeared. New York reports of
the steel rail market say that eastern mill
agents have taken orders for several lots
involving about 1900 tons all told. The
largest TRANSACTION was lot of about 5000
tons. Sales were chiefly aC prices on the
basis of SIS at works for standard sections,
which is generally adhered to by agents on
orders for either near or distant future de-
livery. There are few concerns whom it is
thought might take S2775, or possibly $27. so,
for winter work. but the majority quote $2S
as strictly inside figures.
The nail market is showing more strength,
! although no advance in prices can be noted
as yet. The advance in raw material will
have tendency to force the price of finished
material up. Sheet iron is firm and The de-
mand is improving. Blacksmitns' supplies
generally quiet.
Old IRON is quiet, but values are very firm
| The New York market shows high prices
| for old rails and scrap.
| Copper is firm and consumers are gener.
| ally buying their supplies. They have given
up hope of any break before the spring and
many of the leading consumers have bought
| stocks to last them for six months. Tin is
| firm, but quiet, with antimony firm. Tin
plates rule firm with a fair trade. Lead is
| steady and former values are we'll main
taned. No change in spelter and sheet
zinc.
The volume of dry goods business in COM
! MISSION circles rules steady, with liberal
lines going into distribution. Seasonabe
fabrics are moving well, and, owing to the
advance asked by manufacturers for some
goods, values are firm with an upward ten.
dency. This is particularly the case with
woolen and woolen mixed dress goods and
fannels. Cotton goods continue quiet, al
though some business is being done right
along. Cotton fiannels still go forward freely
in the delivery of former orders. Prints hold
steady with sales far, the movement in wide
speciaties being liberal. Ginghams remain
! steady with the demands confined princi-
pally to small purchases of fances. Dress
goods are moving steadily in jobbing way,
with the mills holding firm at the advance,