The age-herald., 1901-09-23
IRON BEING SOLD
 ABOVE MARKET Announcement of 30 Cent Ad- vance Expected Soon IN STATE OF EXPECTANCY Prices Have Been Firm for the Past Week With Sales Good-Pros-
 poets Are Not Bright for
 Export Business.
IN STATE OF EXPECTANCY

The pig iron market has been in a state of expectancy during the past week. Every day an advance in prices has been expected, but up to the present time it has not been made. Prices have, however, been exceedingly firm.
 The certainty of an increase of 50 cents per ton on all grades of iron Is acknowl- edged by every dealer in the district. It Is probable that an agreement to an- nounce such increase will be reached this week.
 Rogers, Brown & Co. give out the following review of conditions:
 Birmingham.
 At no time In the present year have the several forces which go ito make up the iron market been as healthy as they are at the present time While there is yet no published advance in prices. sales are being made at an advance over the un- derstood schedule, and there seems to be every chance of an understood increase in value. Sales have been excellent, and there are no concessions. The shipments of iron products continue from the dis trict in large volume, and the consump- tion of iron Is on the increase.
 The export business last month was practically nothing and the promises held out are not bright for early resump- ton of this branch of the pig iron trade. However, the demand at home compen- sates for the lack of business abroad.
 The coal trade is excellent and the mines are we'll fixed for the winter sea- son.
 Cincinnati.
 The general suspension of business oc- casioned by the services in memory of our late President, has apparently caused but little diminution in the stream of in- quiries for pig iron. There has been a marked firmness in prices in spite of a few apparently over anxious sellers, who are afraid some business will escape them. Most of the producers feel that there may be trouble in supplying suffic- tent iron to keep their customers satis- fled, and they are content to let business go when full prices can not be ob- tained.
 Interest is now being shown in pur- chases for first half of 1902, and con- sumers seem to think it is time for them to cover their requirements for that period.
 The trade has expressed surprise at the official record of stocks on hand at fur naces September 1, which showed a re- ductton of over 23,000 tons in all since August l, although production had in- creased during the month about 10000 tons. The total stocks of coke iron for the market in the hands of furnaces Sep tember 1 were less than 230000 tons, which is a smaller amount than there has been at any time since June, 1900, and the stocks now are less than half what they were one year ago. There is no de- sire expressed by producers or sellers of iron to cause unnecessary alarm. and 1t Is hoped that there will not be an extra ordinary demand for early shipments, because the result of 1t would be a stiff advance in prices. It Is believed that if buyers ask for only what they actually need, the furnaces now In blast and those going in will be able to take care of all legitimate requirements.