Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-03
STEEL RAILS QUIET.
Demand for Rails Oh the Decline and
Prices Dropping,
BUT STILL A COMFORTABLE PROFIT.
Flour JObbers Complain That Agents Of
Ohio Millers
DO VIOLENCE TO REGULAR TRADE
DO VIOLENCE TO REGULAR TRADE
OFFICE OF PITTsBURG DISPATCH,
TUESDAY,. Dec. . 1890.

T. IL.
TUESDAY. Dec. ., 1890 (
The average daily output of steel rails at
the Edgar Thomson Works the past ten
months has been above 100 tons. The re-
turns for October showed over $4,000 tons,
and November, which had one day less, will
show no falling of, though returns for this
month are not at hand. The price Of steel
rails has declined about Sc 90 per ton in the
past year, and the cost o. production has de-
clined about 81 80 per ton in the same time.
The season is now here when railroad build
ing is suspended, and the Edgar Thomson
Works, which for year or two past has uai-
formly been few months behind on orders,
has OF late about caught up, and the long
looked for and hoped for opportunity to
make some necessary repairs is at hand.
Prospects now are that the operators will
have a iew weeks rest after the holidays.
Ups to this date the entire output is in de-
Inand. While prices are Sc 90 per ton below
the highest point reached year ago, there is
little doubt that comfortable margin still ex-
lists. The nes profits on steel rails cannot be
less than S. 90 per ton. which means a daily rev.
enue of more than S. 900 by the Edgar Thomson
Works.
As recent as 1882 steel rails sold at SO TO SIS
ton, and within the pas two or three years
were sold as low as $50 per ton. The present
price affords a comfortable margin, If only
orders will come in fast enough to take the
product. There is little doubt that our big
country will require all that can be produced
for The next few years.
Flour Situation.
Pittsburg iobbers are carrying large stocks Of
-four. and competition is SO sharp that there is
NOT little cutting on prices. In the North
has IN adj of 0c 70 -
Ter Darrel on spring patents the past week or
Two. and some dealers here will find it difficult
10 replace goods at prices they are re-
ceiyInG. Said leading jobber yesterday: THE
regular dealers are placed a disadvantage by
the agents of Ohio millers, who have their
agents in this city. and are enabled TO push
their stock onto our markets at prices below
market rates. for the reason that they have no
rents or taxes To pay
The regular jODber has high rents and taxes
to pay; whereas, the agents of O.lo mllers are
in great measure freed from this expense. A
few pay office rent, and many do not even pay
TINS. These agents are pushing their goods on
to retailers and able to o it a prices below
markets. for the reason that their expenses are
next 10 nothing. The firm which 1 represent
furnishes employment to about % men and lots
OF trade to blacksmiths, wagon makers and
oIher artisans of our city, but agents of Ohio
miIlers come in and cut rates because they are
Tree from many OF these expenses"
The jObhing price OF -four IS so to 75c per bar
rel higher than it this time year ago and
would be Stlll higher but for the sharp coupe-
utlun- 1he millions reap the benefit OF com
petition. In the present season of high prices
ana increased cost of living the cutting on
Hour, while unpleasant to the jobber, furnishes
q fc" crumbs of comfort to the eater.
Provision Trade.
Mondays run of hogs at East Liberty was the
largest for any ore day this season. Receipts
were about 50 loads At Chicago on Saturday
receipts were 10000 head, which was beyond
anJthing for the last day of the week in MANY
years. The fact is plain that high-priced
corn is having the effect of bringing unusual
quantities ot porkers TO market. and that a
scarcity Is likely 10 follow, with higher prices
Quality Of hogs offered this season is below
average. Last season quality was above aver
age, Tor the good and sufficient reason thar
corn was then plenty and cheap and brought
better returns by putting it into live stock than
could be obtained by bringing it to market
With at 60c per bu~hel. farmers are dis
posed To get their hogs on to market as promptly
- possible. Hence the low average oil this sea
sous offerings.
When quality is considered, hogs are fully 35 |
per cent higher than they were a year ago. Top
price at Chicago to-day was $ Co. Lightness of
money has no doubt. something to do with
present depression in hog markets, but hi sh-
priced grain, which causes farmers to push
stock OF TO market, has as much to do with the
late decline.
4 leading drover said yesterday: 'It is onlya
question Of short time when hogs must aa-
vance. Prices are now lown tn hard PAN and
the fact that our markets are flooded of late is
evidence, to my mind, that there will be a
scarcity and higher prices after the holidays"
Futures on provisions are higher than spot
for the reasons given, viz, tight money and
high-priced grain.