The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-09
THE IRON TRADE AND SOUTHERN

IRON.
The iron more than any other industry is
indicative Of the business pulse OF the coun-
try. 1t is the Thermometer whose rise or
fall in price gauges the prosperity CT the
commercial and manufacturing world as
the mercury does the weather. Judging
from the appearances OF this standard Just
now We see favorable change appearing in
the horizon that is encouraging after the
dizziness which has prevailed, 10. these
many months. The healthful indication is
in the demand increasing for various iron
products. though not enough TO have much
effect upon prices.
Philadelphia manufacturers have found
parties wanting in the aggregate 10000 tons
of steel rails, mostly for repairing and re.
laying track, there not as yet appearing to
be much railway construction contemplated
the coming season.
The demand for pig metal, too, is looking
up somewhat, so on the whole we begin to
think bottom has been touched in the de-
preston OF trade, and that henceforth de.
msno and prices will take an upward turn
generally.
An unknown quantity in iron supply in
the future, and which already has shown its
strong influence IN the market reports, is the
effect whichsthe Southern product will have.
This metal can be made from 81 so to 81 per
ton cheaper now in Alabama than in Penn
sylvanis or Ohio-a significant TACT which
has an immense bearing upon the future of
our country, and may work changes that
will rev oluiionize the manufacture Of this
product to very considerable extent. There
is little doubt but that large portion OF all
this metal made in the United States in the
future will be produced in Alabama and
Tennessee. thus transferring to the South an
industry heretofore monopolizsd by few
Northern States, particularly Pennsylvania.
At present the high rates of freight on
Southern roads initiate against the South
and tend to check the development OF
her natural resources, and. indeed, all kinds
of Improvements and business. But more
roads will be built, money will be invested
in manufacture. general prosperity and pro-
gress will go steadily forward henceforth in
that section, too long held back already by
the adverse circumstances of the war and OF
carpet-bag rule, now wiped out forever.
Iron ore of several varieties, coal nearly
free from sulphur, and limestone are all
found in one and the same hill In Alabama.
These are the three raw materials required
to produce iron. With furnaces among these
hills there is no transportation, no freight 10
pay On the ingredients which make good
iron. The coal being free from sulphur re-
quires DO coking process. These are facts
which give Alabama an advantage afforded
in 20 other part of this country for
making this metal cheaply, an advantage
which can not but make that a
great manufacturing State, one which in
time will not only successfully compete with
Pennsylvania, but even outstrip that Com.
monweslth. which, with a small portion OF
Ohio added, has heretofore had monopoly
OF the iron-makIng business, upon which her
citizens have waxed fat in wealth and pros
perity. When Tennessee and Alabama get
fully under wsy with manufacturing and
have abundant railroads for distributing
their products aud affording competition in
rates of freight, Pennsylvania and Ohio will
have to share with the South what has hith-
| erto been almost exclusively their business