Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-06
FEATURES OF TRADE.
The Demand for Bicycles Greater
Than Any Previous Year.
POPULAR PITTsBURG INVENTIONS,
Some Points of Interest as to Fourth of
July Pyrotechnics.
THE LEATHER AND HIDE OUTLOOK
OFFICE OF THE DISPATCH,
PITrSRuRG. TUESDAY. July 5.

PTTTsBURG, TUESDAY, July 5.
The bicycle trsde was never so active a,
1t is at this time. Not less than 800 have
been sold this season, while last years to
tai was not above 700. There are now in
use in Pittsburg and Allegheny between
5000 and 10, 600 bicycles. The higher grades
are more in demand this season than eveI
before. Cheap wheels are no longer in de.
mand The high priced article costing from
SIPS to S15O has had the call of late A
number of new features have been
attached to the leading wheels the past year,
which have very greatly enhanced their
popularity as methods of locomotion. An
arrangement for self-oiling, improved
lamps and baggage carriers are among the
new features The new style of tires, in
fiated with air, have of late very much
lessened the vibrations which occur when
the traveller has rough roads to travel
Among the latest improvements is an iron
hook which holds the bicycle in an upright
position when not in action. This is the
Invention of Pittsburger within the
past three months, and as evidence of Its
value one of our firms has sold this season
so dozen to New York firms.
The bicycle with children's seat seems to
be gaining in popularity. One firm reports
sales of children's seat attachments to the
number of five dozen within the past month
or two The additional cost for children's
seats is 50 SO to IS. A hickory wheel. made
almost entirely of wood, and weighing Al
pounds, has become favorite of late. The
cost of this wheel is S170.
Foarth OF July Goods.
A moderate estimate of the amount ex-
pended in Pittsburg for Fourth of July pyro-
technics and explosives places it betw zen
$50, 900 and 500 900. The higher grade of
goods was more in demand this season than
ever before. There was little increase in
the total value of sales over last year.
The firm which furnished the fireworks
at Schenley Park reports that their con-
tract was for S, 900 worth of goods, and
that they received the contract BY bidding
lowest
The contract was awarded to the lowest
bidder out of four. There were not as MANY
private displays this season as usual, for the
reason that the masses were attracted to the
display at Schenley Park. Retailers did
not sell as much in the pyrotechnic line as
usual One dealer reports that the display
at the park lessened his sales to the extent
of $4,000 The amount OF Fourth of July
goods lett over is, however, less than usual,
and the little left is mostly of the cheaper
grade.
Leather and Hides.
The following from an editorial in
Chicago Hide and Leather gives the latest as
to the situation and outlook in this i'm
portant industry:
''Sole feathers are frmer. The results of
the conferences of the tanners in New
York and Boston are beginning to be ap-
parent in the lessened quantities of leather
on the market and the consequently firmer
attitude of the producers. Efforts of buyers
to contract for future delivery at present
prices lave not been successful While no
one claims there is q scarcity of leather,
decided feeling prevails that concessions,
frequently of very improbable nature,
" no longer justified by circumstances. 1t |
Ging more and more evident that the |
e1. few months are likely to witness an |
tive demand and increased consumption OF |
ather goods of all kinds. Manufacturers of |
Ilness leather seem buoyed up with this |
hope, although We must confess that at /
present they have to face poor market for
their goods -Hvdes, dry and green, foreign
and domestic, are frmer. Those tanners
vino are now wetting hides are under no
as to laying in stock for future |
Use. There has been quite a furry in
Chicago in native steer hides, and during |
the past ten DAYS prices have advanced |
sharply. Several tanners are already talk |
ing of Withdrawing from the hide market if |
the present stiffness continues. There is |
not much faith in leather going higher to
any appreciable extent. The tanners look
for relief in hides being kept on a low basis