Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-14
IN TRADE AND COMMERCE.
The Weekly Review of Iron and
Other Metals.
STEEL is STILL ADVANCING.
All Kinds of Iron Firm and Tending
Higher-Copper Quiet and Unset
tled-Dry Goods Fair-Grocer-
les Moderately Active.
The Course OF Commerce.


all kinds of STEEL the present high cost
of crude materials, the extent to which the
future output of the leading establishments
has been sold ahead, and the fact that there
is yet brisk demand, being the principal
causes leading to the mark up. There have
been sales of steel rails at $50 at eastern
mills to the extent of probably about 10000
tons, one concern alone being reported as
having taken orders for Ii, 500 tons at that
rate. Most companies now quote S31, while
Pittsburg and Chicago name S33 as strictly
inside figures. Contracts are said to be
under treaty in the west for at least 10000
tens and negotiations are pending in New
York for 10, 900 that are likely to be closed at
any moment The business in hand is for
1890 delivery, and all mills have as much
work IN hand as they can turn out the bal
ance of this year. some being fu( for Jan
uary and February, and have work running
into March. The foreign markets continue
strong and advancing, both for finished pro-
ducts and crude materials, and the rise on
domestic goods is therefore still within
bounds that offer no greater opening for tn o
European finished products.
Pig iron continues in firm position, and
while the volume of business here is not spe-
cially active, operations in the way OF deliv-
cries of former contracts. aud what new bus
mess there is being steadily picked up,
makes conditions very strong New York
reports say that the demand for American
foundry pig iron Is very good at this point,
and sales are increasing. Values are not
materially changed, but with the principal
companies disposing of ali their product, it
would not be surprising if quotations were
advanced IL is said that the thomas Iron
company has on its books orders for at least
$1,000 tens of iron that is yet to be delivered,
ana has sold no less than 25, 600 tons during
the past month. The first sale of warrants
on the New York metal exchange were made
Tuesday, the transactions being 100 tons Jan
uary No. pig iron at $3.50; and 100 tons
February at Sl7. The market continues
nominal for Scotch iron, tho market abroad
being too high for competition with Amerl-
can grades.
y All kinds Of manufactured iron is firm and
values have been still further advanced for
some grades. Beams and channels have
been advanced to S3 10 from $3.50. This price
is still below the old rate Of $3.50 which pre-
vailed for many years, and was reduced last
spring on account of the sharp competition
of foreign iron. The active market and firm
prices abroad now does away with this com.
petition, and manufacturers are quick to
take advantage of the situation. Bar iron is
higher with western manufacturers, and
New England mllmen are also advancing
their views Bids of Sl.1112 for 1OO-ton lots
at nearby mills have been refused. and Sl.S0
seems to be the lowest mill price for round
lots. From store about S1.S5@1.90 is the
nominal range, but as trade is moderate
there is still considerable competition to sell,
although dealers us rule are not trying to
force business. ..
Swedish iron holds firm and prices are en-
tirely nominal, as holders of iron will not
name an open price, but quote on specitica-
tions alone Conditions abroad show even
more strength, anu those dealers who have
not bought as yet, have a hard chance to get
supplies without paying u still further ad-
vance.
Steam piping continues in good demand,
and the mills are well ordered ahead and
very busy. The recent advance is well
maintained, and the situation is still IN
sellers FAVOR. Boiler tubes hold firm with
steady demand noted.
Cut nails have been advanced 10 cents dur
ing the week, while the advance on wire
nails has been about 25035 cents. Manu-
nails, the former being for car lots from the
mills while the price of wire nails is S265.
Trade is steady and the consumption is
large. The advance was caused by the
higher cost of crude material. and card
prices have been withdrawn for the present.
Old iron is quiet but firm at about former
rates. The offerings of old rails are small,
with the price nominal at about S240245 80.
1t Is said that 500 tons sold delivered IN Pitts
burg at $27.
shading of lie being reported for Lake, al.
though a fair business Is reported at that
figure by some companies. Casting brands
are rather easy as whole, with sales from
first hands ranging from 9$4(010c. Tin Is
tirmer and the market is showing more ac-
tvity in New York. Tin plates are tirmer
abroad, and the general market shows more
strength Lead Is quiet and fairly steady in
price, while spelter is rather weaker as a
whole.
a AZ CT, n,
iobbers although the demand has shown
some falling off during the past few weeks.
With cool, brigh. weather TO further the
active business with retailers, the outlook is
favorable for a good distribution this fall.
Values hold on steady basis, and but little
The movement in cotton goods continues fair
and stocks show no particular ac-
cumulation with agents, while
fair distributing business is being done
by 1obbers. Cotton fiannels still are
selling well with iobbers, while steady de-
liveries OF former orders are going on with
the mills. Prints are generally moving
quietly, but wide goods and specialties are
still being freely taken. Ginghams are sea-
sonably quiet, but a light business Is re-
ported in some special lines Woolens re,
main steady, with the mills generally fairly
supplied with sufficient orders to carry them
over the light weight season. Cassimeres
hold frn, with heavy weight stocks well re-
of light weights are also in quite good shape
Worsteds are generally well ordered and
steady, with overcoatings firm and in fa-
vorable position as regards the coming sea-
son for heavy weights. Dress goods stlll
sell well with joDbers, both foreign and do
mestic goods being taken quite freely
With manufacturers operations continue
small, but values hold steady. FlaDnels
still move freely with iobbers, while blan-
kets sell well.
In tea the market still shows fair
amount of activity, particularly for choice
grades of Eormosa teas, and lots ranging
above fine are scarce. In China choice teas
are scarce, lots grading above superior being
well cleaned up, which makes it look as
though but few more fancy tea would come
forward. The market is we'll supplied with
the lower grades Of tea and for such the
tone is easy, although not quotably lower
There is still steady tone TO the spot
market, although the exchange market IN
New York has been rather unsettled and
easier. The Brazil market is steady but
quiet with no change in values there. Rio
and Santos grades hold up Well in this mar
ket while there is no weakness in Java and
Mocha grades. The amount of goods going
into consumption foots up fair.
In spices the market 10 steady, with no
new features. Cassia rules firm, with nut
megs steady. Cloves continue quiet.
The following western boot and shoe buy
ers were on the market during tine week:
Denyer--H. Plousky, of Butler Bros,
Parker.
Davenport, Ia-A. p. Doe, of A. p. Doe &
Co., Revere.
omaha-F. p. Kirkendall, of Kirkeniali,
III ~ n