Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-05-18
THE IRON TRADE.
The Review of the Market as Seen Through
PHILADELPHIA Eyes.

PHILADELPHIA, May l6.-The iron mar
ket is fairly active and steady, and the con-
ditions are generally of a more encouraging
character than have been seen for several
months There has been steady improve
ment in prices and the volume OF business
during the past month, and, although
TRANSACTIONS are still limited to immediate
wants, there are indications OF a oroaden
ing of trade into more liberal purchases by
consumers. Activity at present centres in
the steel trade and cruOe material entering
into that branch of manufacture. Pig-iron
is in good demand and the trade in manu-
featured iron shows very encouraging In
crease. In the West ana Southwest busl-
ness is active, and purchases OF all kinds OF
crude and finished material are being made
on q liberal scale. The trade in this imme-
date vicinity is fair and the manufacturers
express confidence in the future, predicting
a largely increased demand and better
prices The production of pig-iron has not
changed materially since the LIST OF April
and certain grades are becoming scarce.
There is scant supply of the better
grades of foundry iron in this market, and
prices are correspondiDgly firm. Stocks of
Bessemer pig are very light, and the heavy
accumulatiOnS that were on band when
this wear opened have been almost entirely
absorbed Mill iron is in greater demand
than for some weeks past, but as there is a
sufficient supply of this grade prices have
not responded in any marked degree In
this market No | foundry of Northern
make is selling at $3.50 to SIS. No.
foundry brings SIG to Sl1, and all ore-mlll
iron is selling at $3.50 to SIS %. The supply
of coke is increasing, and quite number oil
the furnaces now idle will probably blow In
as soon as they can be assured OF a steady
A 10 nj nf
work is being done upon the idle plants IN
anticipation of an early resumption OF
operations.
The rolling-mills are in a better condl-
ton than they have been since the early
part of the winter. During the past week
purchases have been made with greater
freedom, although most of the business has
been in small lots There have been in
ouiries for some good-siZed lots and the
market is firm, although not quotaoly
higher. For best merchant bars l.15c TO
l.S0c is asked by city mills, country mills
selling a trifie below these figures. Con-
siderable business is being done in muck
bar at $50 80 to ST, principally the lower
figure.
The structural material trade is in good
shane. and the mills are well filled with
work. A good many bridge contracts
have been placed in this vicinity, and
business is in good condition. Sales are
based upon these figures: Sheared and
universal plates, &c to el0c; angles, &c to
>. lOc; tees, CSC to s; beams and channels,
Sic. For steel angles and tees an advance
of 40 to 100 cents per pound is charged.
The steel rail trade is very quiet and fiat.
There has been no business during the
week. outside of few small sales, and for
the time the market is devoid of interest
ing features. This does not affect the mills,
however, as they are well filled with orders
and have enough to keep them busy through
the summer Prices are nominally $50 at
Eastern mills and in Pittsburg, and 81 at
Chicago.