Omaha daily bee., 1889-11-04
In TRADE AND COMMERCE.
The Weekly Review of Iron and
Other Metals.
DEALERS ARE WELL PLEASED.
A Strong Tone Existing in Nearly All
Departments with Trade Very
Fair-Groceries Quiet
Dry Goods Moderate.

ably better aud good fair trade is re.
ported.
There Is nothing new to report In the way
OF exporting iron. Several large blocks
have been sent TO Mexico and Canada and
considerable is to DO sent to England. Con-
sumers are anxious buy to but there is no
iron offering at present The situation ap-
pears to be wholly in the hands of the sellers.
Those who have first class stock TO deliver
within the next 20 days are very Indifferent
and are refusing 10 sell at less than SIS Tor
No X, Sl7 for No X, or SIG for gray forge.
Some southern brands are quoted at 5Gc0gSl
under these prices but the makes that con.
sumers seem content to take are extremely
difficult to obtain for delivery this year, and
the kinds that are offered at the bottom
figures quoted are mainly those that are
taken only when buyers have no alterna-
two but to put up with that class of iron.
The demand for pig iron continues fully as
active as last week and is much better than
at any time during the past year. Most OF
the leading makes of Ohio iron are practi-
cally out OF the market, furnace men having
no more to sell. Pennsylvania iron people
have only light stocks. They are well sold
ahead for ordinary in 1890 at advanced prices.
Dealers still find it difficult to get their fur
mace purchases delivered and also to buy
supplies. Tue furnaces are running to their
full capaclty, and Notwithstanding the fact
that the output this year will be the largest
ever known, tho large production will be
completely absorbed. Southern IRON con-
tinues very strong with good movement,
and prices are tending higher. Western IRON
is firmer. There Is nothing doing in Scotch
irOn but the market holds firm. A recent
report that at Glasgow ring warrants made
another jump from SIS Sd to Cos, with
farther rise expected.
There ia good and considerably improved
demand for bar iron, and the market is very
firm. The strong tone to the foreign market
is responsible TO certain degree for the
strong tone to the market here. A sale of $50
tons a. an advance over previous prices Is re-
ported, and buyers are anxious TO secure
more at the same price, but sellers prefer to
hold off for little while. Ordinary bars are
firm at Sl.S5 from mill, and at $1.90 from
store The best bars are very firm at 81 20
from mill and at s2.35 from store. 1t is un-
derstood that the mills west are thoroughly
sold up on this class of iron, and tnat orders
Tor near delivery cannot be placed there at
any price. Norway and Swedish irons are
very strong and prices are steadily advanc.
ing. Producers are sold way ahead into
next year. The price on Swedish bars is
around $40, but holders are not auXious to
sell ut that price, some asking as high as $15.
Steam piping and plumbing supplies are in q
firm position, with the mills well supplied
with orders. Boiler tubes also hold steady.
The steel market in all its branches con-
tinues firm, and full prices are beng op-
tanned. New York reports say t. at u sale of
4,UVu tOnS mas Deen Ulaue aJ less tlan S1S AT
Pittsburg mill within weeks time, and
there seems also some reason to believe that,
while generally quoting S32 as their price,
some eastern concerns would do a SHADE
better on desirable orders. Steel billets and
slabs are now quoted at $38 at Pittsburg,
and at corresponding prices in other locali-
ties. here is good demand here for steel
rails and heavy sales are reported at $33.
The market on billets and rods is very
strong. The Washburn-Aloen Co., of Wor-
cester, are reported to have bought $50, 600
worth of rods and wire this week.
Tank plates are still very firm from the
mills, and the general situation for both
steel and iron plates is strong. Sheet iron
holds firm, and sales are active at full prices.
Blacksmiths' supplies are steady.
No transactions are reported in old rails
here, and the market is quiet and nominal.
In New York there have been reports of
alleged sales of old iron hange rails at S26
upward, for future shipment from abroad,
but no traces of buyers at any such price
could be found. Telegrams from Pittsburg
state that business has been done at 500
there, and local holder of rails IN the south
reports having sold at S26 delivered to mill
at considerable distance The highest
bona tide bids that could be discovered in
the market were S25(g2525 I. o. b. cars at
Jersey City. Old iron is firmer, with No. 1
wrought quoted at S5c for well selected lots.
The nail market holds firm Though un-
changed from last week. For building iron
Copper is quiet, but very steady. The bid
for 100000 lbs of lake at lie, which was
rumored yesterday, is not credited. The
business of the market Is confined to small
lots, which consumers are buying as they
need supplies. Lake copper is steady at lie
and casting brands ut lOc. The London mar
ket was quoted firm to-day at e43 2s Cd for
spot and e43 l5s, with sales of 300 tons spot
and 800 tons futures. Lead is dun, and the
impression prevails that the prices are going
N a lOWnr q
and looking better than for q year. Prices
in London have advanced e5 within thirty
days. Sales of several hundred tons are re-
ported this week. The market on spelter Is
firm, though there Is no important move-
ment. Zinc remains steady.
In teas the market holds fairly steady,
with prices strong. There Is more inquiry
for the better grades on oolongs. Congo
teas are holding their own and the improve.
ment noted last week IS we'll sustained. A
cable from China this week states that at
Annoy there is n very light stock of Formosa
and Annoy oolongs. Prices OF Formosas
have advanced q little over the quotations
cabled the previous week. The market there
grading over superior Exchange in London
Is also advanced. Low grade teas are gen.
orally dull, with no change to note nj prices.
The coffee trade is still ruling quiet, with
prices only fairly steady. The better grades
are in steady demand at full quotations, but
other grades are dull and easy. Exchange
IS II little easier, on account OF the favorite
condition of the crop. Low grades have de-
clined about 1Sc.
There is still moderate movement in dry
goods, but I he general condition of the market
Is not materially changed. Buyers are not
operating very extensively on the spot, but
fair amount of mail aud wire orders are
being received. The demand is principally
for seasonable goods, most of the orders
being duplicates. Some business is also
being done in goods for future delivery, but
this has assumed no proportions of any size
yet. The demand for cotton goods is fairly
active and prices hold firm. The leading
makes OF both brown and bleached cot
ton cloths are selling we'll. Stocks continue
light ar prices firm. Jobbers are doing a
moderate business in cotton goods. but are
buying only as they need supplies. Sheet
ings are selling fairly, us are also fiannels.
Bleached cottons are still considerably called
for. There is fair trade being done in
prints, but commons are dull and easy.
Specialties in the way of wide prints continue
In steady demand and closely sold up.
Woolen goods are quiet and unchanged. Cas-
simeres hold fairly firm, though seasonably
quiet Recorders still constitute the princi-
pal business in cassimeres. Jobbers are hav-
ing good demand for hannes, and values
hold firm. Dress goods are moving fairly.
The following western buyers were on the
market during the week.
Dubuque, Ia.--A. w. Sears.
Minneapolis, Minn.--C. Il. Heffelinger, of
North Star Boot and Shoe company
Portland, Ore.-B. Selling, Of Akin, Sell
ing X Co.
Burlington, Ia.-H. A. Brown. of t. w.