The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-15
IRON AND METAL TRADE.
Furnace Statistics show Great and
IMcreasinx Product.

Furnace Statistics show Great and
Increasing Product.
NEW YORK. Dec. A.-Discussing the
condition Of iron and metal trades. the
Iron Age says:
Our monthly blast furnace statistics
show that we entered the month with coke
and anthracite furnaces producing at the
rate of 2S9,50O tons weekly, an increase of
$500 tons over November. In other words,
we are making now at the rate of 15.o00.-
900 gross tons per annum. During the
month reported. furnace stocks increased
about 5000 TONS but, on tho other hand,
stocks in warrant yards declined 5000 tons.
On December the Independent furnaces
were carrying stock of 5000 tons.
Under what pressure the iron industry il
working is shown by the fact that in the
Central West, including Pittsburg, the
valleys. the Wheeling district, the Chicago
district, Missouri and the Northwest, there
were In blast nincty.seven furnaces pro-
ducing weekly 170,345 tons of pig, while
only Ave were out, with capacity of 5,465.
and every one Of the latter Is simply out
for repairs. In the next three months three
new furnaces are expected to begin oper-
ations, whose capacity should reach $4,000
tons weekly.
all these furnaces can make during the
first half of 1900 Is sold. Last week lead
ing consumer in the Pittsburg district pur-
chased about 10000 tons Of Bessemer pig at
available for the first half of 1900. 1t Is
understood that the same interest and 9TH
err large companies in the same section
have been taking large blocks OF basic pig
also.
In foundry iron the situation is some
what different There Is some Increase in
STOCKS stocks in many Of the distrcts The con-
has been reached for the present. While
q number Of founders have withdrawn
from the market. some appear to believe
in the future. We hear of one contract for
500 tons monthly delivery, beginning in
April, and continuing to the end of the
year. We also note a sale of about $500
tons to an independent cast iron pipe
founder.
In the steel market Birmingham reports
a sale OF 5000 tons on private terms. From
sener and open hearth biiiets and slabs
TO the extent Of about 1000 tons for. 1900
delivery. at $50 for the Bessemer and si1
fo rthe open hearth material.
Lately offers for export have come to
hand which would net about SO to $50. As
yet, however, nothing has been done,
There has been little more activity in
about 10000 tons in lots, while the Chicago
market has closed for one lot of 20.ooo tons.
the same parties placing also about 10000
tons of bridge material
Regarding the position of the markets
In a number OF finished rolling mill prod
ucts, reports are somewhat conflicting. In
some quarters revival In nOy1ng is OBJ
served; in others prices seem to be regard
ed as easier: the mills are hunting for
work to SOME extent
The week has been an eyentful one in the
metal markets, and notably so in pig tin
which declined. under London realizing
down to "a cents for futures. rallying
slightly toward the close. Copper Is now
openly quoted at 1850 for lake and i6tsc
for electrolytic. Lead has become strong
er, while spelter has been somewhat errat-
ic, with an. upward tendency. Nickel is
reported to have sold as low as 2s cents
President Mckinley has sent to the senate an
answer to the Lodge resolution in regard To the
Galapagos islands II is short. and simply an
nounces that the state department has no infor-
nation respecting the report that Ecuado. intends
TO sell the islands to Great Britain for any other
European government, and that steps have been
tskerl by the government IN tho matter