The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-05-31
IRoN MARKEr IMpRov1Ne.
Demand is Better in Some Branches
and Orders Are Coming in
More Freely.


NEW YORK. May SO,-Discussing
the condition OF the iron and steel in
dustries, the Iron Age says:
The best that can be said for the
iron market at present Is that feel
ing Of hopefulnes is displaying. The
demand seems TO be little better in
some branches Of the trade and buyers
are disposed to place orders rather
more freely. This is particularly true
OF the west. When this has been said,
however. 1t covers about the most en-
couraging conditions to be noted.
No improvement is seen in prices.
The tendency appears to be still down
ward and so far no indications are
seen on a firm foundation for such
products as are now absolutely con-
trolled by an effective consolidation
or combination. Prices have been
gradually receding for some time and
while heroic efforts are made TO main
tain them in some directions this simp-
ly results in creating a great spread
in quotations Prices for this season
on some products show a range Of sew
eral dollars per ton. Wire rods. for
instance. are quoted at mills in the
central west at SIS to $3.50.
1t is generally believed that large
tonnage is waiting to De placed as
soon as prices shall have touched
figure that viii be considered satisfac-
tory to buyers. How far down they
must go in order to meet this condition.
it is, Of course. difficult to say. When
prices were at their highest it would
certainly have been deemed favorable
to new business for concessions to be
made approximating present prices.
Buyers, however, always seek to secure
something a little lower than the Of
fers made TO them II is likely that
the fact that this is a presidential year,
may influence this reserved business
more than the mere question Of prices.
Undoubtedly. in all discussions Of con-
ditions now affecting trade. the presi-
Dental election is invariably taken in
to consideration.
One OF the interesting items OF news
coming out during the week is the re-
ported sale Of 1900 tons of pig iron
by a large southern company for ex-
port to Scotland. the shipments TO cov-
er the next six months. The reputed
sellers win neither affirm nor deny the
report, but it is quite generally be-
lieved to be true A large contract to
BE- placed within the next few days COW
ers the approaches TO the new East
River bridge between New York and
Brooklyn, which viii require about
1900 tons Of steel This contract
would excite much more interest in
the trade if the steel was not open to
acid open hearth. which restricts the
number of bidders.
Another important matter coming up
for consideration is the probable dis
agreement between the Amalgamated
Association of Iron, Steel and Tin
Workers and the owners Of rolling
mills in the west over the wage sched-
ule for the year beginning July L
The Association will ask for an ad-
vance in the base on which their wag-
es are regulated and under present
conditions, the manufacturers will GER
tainly refuse to grant this request.
It is expected to lead to the closing
of many mills and consequently a de-
cided restriction of production. This
will, if continued for any length of time.
favorably affect finished products, but
will have the opposite effect on pig
iron. 1t is assumed by those who are
believed to be well informed that the