The age-herald., 1901-09-30
IRON AND STEEL REMAIN STRONG With Large and Steady Sales
 Being Made INCREASED PRICES PAID The Rise in Iron Caused No Dlminu- tion In the Volume of Business.
 Rates Maintained Without
 Any Effort Whatever.

The increase in price of pig iron an nouced last week had but little effect on local sales For several weeks it had been evident mat the prices would be raised. So when the announcement was made the sales continued as for the past weeks
 The steel market is also in excellent condition. Prices are maintained with no effort whatever and large sales are be- ing made regularly.
 The review of conditions by Rogers, Brown & Co.,, is as follows:
 Birmingham.
 This week has announced a marked im- provement in the tone and quality of the market. There has been an active buy ing movement, and, as predicted last week, the schedule of prices has ad- vanced 50 cents, and Is being firmly held on the new basis of $11.0O to $11 25 for No. 2 foundry, Birmingham.
 There is still a scarcity of certain grade of Birmingham branos and no great accumulation of any grade.
 Cincinnati.
 The anticipated advance in price of Southern irons has been made and the past week has witnessed a heavy buying movement. The increase in price is ap- parently fully Justified. Some of the smaller producers ascertained that their order books were being rapidly filled for the remainder of the year and for several months in 1902, and they advanced 25 cents per ton. Afterward the larger com panies decided to put up prices 50 cents per ton, and the others have quite gener- ally followed. It Is not thought that this moderate advance will serve to check buying but on the contrary may stimu- late it, as the facts in relation to pro- duction and consumption show there Is a possibility of shortage In supply during the remainder of this year at least.
 The Northern furnaces have not yet done more than to hold very firm at pre- vious quotations. but 1t is supposed that in view of the demand for all classes of foundry iron and a heavy inquiry for malleable brands, 1t will not be long be- fore such irons are marked up.
 Some conservative buyers have thought that the large steel producers would be able to supply their demand for Besse- mer pig from their own furnaces, and if this proved to be the case, quite a num- Der of the stacks now making Bessemer iron would have no outlet for their pro- duct, and 1t would be necessary for them to turn onto foundry or malleable pig. The heavy sales recently made by such outside furnaces to the steel makers, in- dicate that no such change need be anti cipated, and the foundry market is not | likely to be affected by these furnaces. It has also been thought that the heavy | purchases of rolling stock by the leading railroads during the past two years | would put them in position to handle pig | iron and coke more promptly than usual, | but 1t Is not the case There has prob- | ably never been time when the scarcity or car supply was more marked than at | the present. and this is hampering ship l ments to very decided degree There Is no relief in sight at present and it is ap- parant that the railroads will have to continue buying cars freely for an in- definite time to come.
 Everything points to large business during the remainder of the year and if the demand continues at present rate higher prices may be In store for us.