The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-10

The most distinct gain of the weeks
trading, according to Dun, is In iron
and steel manufacture. The increase
Of the output of pig iron was 10 per
cent. during the month, though it Is
still 81 per cent. less than y year ago
1t 10 also stated that some other furn-
aces have gone into blast since March
|. and that unsold stocks have made
practically no increase in February, so
that the actual consumption in all
branches of manufacture is at least 10
ner cent greater than in November
December or January Yet prices are
lower, steel hillets $1525 at Pittsburg,
and plates 81. 10 ut Philadelphia, the
lowest ever known. some moderate,
but no important contracts are re-
ported here, and in Philadelphia bust.
ness in finished products is not as ac-
tive as it was two or three weeks ago
At Pitisburg markets are weaker In
spite of fairly large orders for struc-
tural iron, and encouraging conditions
in the production OF wire, oils aud
nails Trade in bar iron is very un-
satisfactorily. rails are fat and with
larger production OF coke, contracts
are made as low as ever,
In the the opinion Of the Philadel-
phia Stockholder. next weeks meeting
of the coal sales agents will see re-
duction of prices. especially if the
weather continues warm. The extent
of the reduction is yet to be deter
mined. though it is probable IL will be
from 10 to % cents per ton on all sizss
except pea and buckwheat, the demand
for which continues to absorb the sup
ply quite readily. During the past week
the market at Philadelphia and New
York has been quoted quiet and firm.
especially for the sizes named. hut
some cutting on domestic sizes has
been reported. Trade is dull in the
west, where mild weather has also
prevailed. Prices are said to be
steadily held there, hut there is little
doubt that concessions have been made
to huyera The New England market
is fiat. the demand falling off with the
disappearance of cold weather, and the
little business which has been reported
has been done at a shade under cir
cular prices. The only encouraging
feature 10 note in the general condition
Of the trade is continued success in
curtailing production. Tae agreement
is being lived up to very closely by the
producing companies.
A Dispatch from Uniontown says;
The dull times have forced wages 10 sc
low point in the coke region that the
workers have at last set about to resist
further reductions. Secret meetings
are being held and the men are per
fscting the oldtime powerful organiz1-
tion that existed prior to the disastrous
strike OF 1891. The National Board oi
United Mine Workers have sent organ,
izers into the region and are furnish
ing money to assist in putting thu
cokers on a war footing. Some of the
operators pay in store truck and havt
not had a cash payday for many
months. A demand is to be made fol
( cash pay and uniform wages.
Announcement is made that SOM
soft coal contracts have been taken re-
Gently on basis of $2 30 per ton a
j Philadelphia, against 50 80 par ton
) last year This would be without sig
n nificance were it not for the fac
, that it is tacitly understood that thu
g railroads will make up the difference
: in price by a reduction in freight rates
2 For the week ended March the de
5 crease in the anthracite output of t.
three regions aggregated 2il, 242 tons
making the total decrease for the yen
, to date I. 500, 7G4 tons. The Wyoming
y regions lends in point of reduced o1t
: put for the week, the decrease having
: been 151. 255 tons, compared with the
!, Lehigh Valleys decrease of 26 5j7 tons
" and the SchuylkilI'S decrease OF 63, All
- tons. The total tonnage for tho weel
y was G42, S31 tons, against S3t .0G4 ton
- same week last year. The restrictiv
10 policy Of the large companies ia re
" fl cted by cessation of rate-cutting
~ but the trade continues dull;