The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-12-12

Of the steel corporation at the close
OF October was 3,46l thousand tons
compared with 3,7885a month ago ana
4,6l4 year ago. Steel and iron in
dustrtes have been operating at only
about 40 per cent OF capacity on the
average but are now increasing oper-5
atoms at several points, prominent
among these being Gary, Indiana
which has been practically idle since
the beginning of the war
Copper has experienced q real up
turn, heavy sales having been made
Tor export accompanied by an in
creased demand and inquiry for home
consumption. The Improvement has
Drought about harder prices with a
slight advance. Europe is buying our
copper at a very low figure and
further advance in price woulo be
beneficial to American business in
terests. ;. ~ ~. "5.,'
Anthracite :, shipments for October.
were more than in September or In
october a year ago, amounting to
6,644 thousand tons. the second larg-
est months shipments on record
The production of gold at the Rand
mines for October wasisnearly 3,744
thousand ounces, the highest months
output since the middle Of last year
and an increase of Is thousand ounces
over the previous October. American
business men should note that Europe
shipped us our usual quota of goods
during October regardless Of the war
and that South Africa produced more
gold than in any month in the past
year in spite of the rebellion in that
country. Those countries seem to
realize that they must do business in
spite of the war and this country be-
ing the only: neutral world power,
should be making the most of it's
enviable position.
Commodity prices were lower on
the first of the month than at the
beginning of this year and averaged
lower than at any time during 1912
Or 1913. The trend will naturally
soon be upward.
The lumber cut for September was
1,0S5 million feet as reported by 636
mills, showing a decrease in cut of
80 million feet compared with last
year; and, the decrease In shipments
was 20 million feet. -
Cotton ginned to November first
with $3.50 last year, indicating that
planters,h have secured sufficient money
for ginning purposes and are not
holding back the crop. Stocks of
cotton in manufacturing establish
ments on the first Of the month were
only 713 Thousand bales, however,
compared with 1923 thousand a year
ago, while Independent warehouses
held $3.50 thousand bales compared
with 2;510 year ago. Active spindles
numbered 30,652 thousand compared
with 30,S55 a year ago.
One by one the trade barriers are
being removed and things are right
ing themselves rapidly, although it
is really unfortunate that because of
conditions during the past few
months many American manufact-
urers are now in a position to accept
orders which are being offered them
by brokers representing the warning
nations. Many orders have been de-
cltned because of the probable ina
bility of the manufacturers to deliver
the goods within the specified time
Present conditions surely prove that
preparedness is the secret Of sue
cess" - -
1t Is reasonably certain that no
legislation will be proposed or at
least at the regular session of congress
which will tend to hinder the return
to normal business. The administra-
lation which could in any way dis
turb business.