The age-herald., 1901-11-25
IRON MARKET WAS WITHOUT FEATURE Prices Contine Stiff With Large
 Sales WEATHER HAS NO EFFECT Period of Remarkable Activity Con tinues and the End is Not in slenr Would Welcome
 Quieter Market.
WEATHER HAS NO EFFECT

The condition of the iron and steel mar ket during the past week has been fea- tureless unless excellent demands and large sales could be characterized as features. The advance in prices of 50 cents per ton made two weeks ago con tinues. and predictions that other ad- vances will follow have been made. These predictions are not for the immediate future, however but were in the nature of statements that the minimum price for the coming six months were established.
 Rogers, Brown & Co.,, in writing of the conditions In Cincinnati. say:
 'The business Of tho week under re- view has been a continuance of the re- markable activity that has prevailed since midsummer. The season of severe weather, when there is a cessation of outdoor work. has been reached and yet 1t seems to have little effect on the gen eral trade, as the demand keeps up all most as heavy as ever. Consumption is apparently up to the fullest limit.
 ''The serious troubles in the coke op- erations, especially in the Connellsville district. have net been overcome as yet, but are trifle easier. In the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys, at Chicago, and at Ohio river points, the furnaces have been running irregularly because of in adequate coke supply and the phenome- nal record of October furnace output is suffering a pronounced curtailment in N mace stocks of every kind and character December l will not much exceed 100000 tons. which would be three to four days supply at current rate of consumption.
 'The furnaces have been quite deter mined to hold the market steady as to prices and have resisted the temptations to advance quotations unduly, though the conditions have warranted them in moving up the figures sharply. Prices on northern irons this week followed the advanced Southern schedules of last week. It will probably be realized when all the conditions prevailing are consid- cred. that prices current are still con- servative. It is probable that Lake Su- perior ores will rule 8 little higher next year and likewise lake freights. The coke market Is strong in sympathy with iron, and furnace coke contracts are being made at somewhat higher figures for next years supply.
 The situation is very strong in all districts Buying may ease off until De- cember and the furnaces would welcome a quieter market for awhile to give it steadiness and give them opportunity to figure carefully as to where they stand and what they can offer for next year.
 Spot foundry iron is practically un- obtainable In any quantity"
 Respecting the New York market they have this:
 During the week prices of pig iron have been adjusted to a slightly higher level. The Alabama furnaces announced a 50 cents advance, making the price of No. foundry $11.5o at Birmingham. This places Southern irons on a parity with Northern in Central and Western mar kets, but throws them out of Eastern markets. where the improvements have been slower. Eastern furnaces, however, are one after another dropping out of the race, being oversold. One large contract
 
 March and running through 1902. Sev- ! eral large interests have booked from half to three fourths of full capacity to July l, 1902.
 There is still a determined effort by large interests to prevent any further substantial advances in prices. and none need be apprehended unless through the over anxiety of buyers.
 German and English makers are feel ing our markets at various points, but except in a few specialties, have not suc- ceeded in breaking in. Middlesboro No 8 at 43-6 in the Cleveland district is said to be below cost of production to those who do not produce their own ore and coke
 Reports from furnaces show that, in spite of the car shortage, stocks of pig are going off heavily again in Novem- ber."