The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-07
The Birmingham District.


 The Birmingham Districts Birmingham (Ala.) Cor. of The Trades
 man.
 Farnacemen in Alabama will not brag on present conditions Of the iron mar ket. The shipments of iron from the Southern territory continues fairly well, but it Is stated that there is not an abun- dance of business being done over which much can be said. However, the furnace men do not give any intimation of cur tailment of production, though some ru- mors have been started to that effect. This, it is believed, has been caused by the announcements from the North to the effect that a pool has been formed and that production was to be lessened in order that the market condition could be stimulated through scarcity of the product. The rumors which prevail in this district are yet quite indefinite and furnacemen, when asked concerning the report say they can throw no light there on. Prices are about the same as before. No. 2 foundry is quoted at $l2, but 1t is admitted by some of the larger firms that a purchaser for 800 tons or more can easi ly get the product at $11.75. A statement as to $11.50 iron cannot be verified, though in one of the principal offices it was given out that at least one consumer had spoken about $11.50 per ton iron. No. 8 foundry Is quoted at $l1.50 per ton, though admission Is also made that $l1.2 is not refused for good sized lots. The statement was given out that the SIP rate for No z foundry iron was not being maintained two weeks hence, and now it is admitted on all sides tkAt sales have been made at $11.6 per ton. The indica- tions are that consumers are again hold ing off in the expectation of reduced iron, though 1t is given out by the makers that the present prices are not much above the cost price, and to make any more cuts would be to the quick, indeed.
 The following quotations are given: No. 1 foundry, $12. 25 to $l2.50; No. foundry, $ll,75 to SIP; No. foundry. 1.25 to $11.JO; No. foundry, $1O.75 to $11; gray forge, S1O to $1O.50; No. 1 soft, SIP. p to $12.5 No. soft, $11.75 to SIP.
 As to Freight Rates.
 Alabama furnacemen are still without their desired reduction in freight rates, but the iron makers are still hopeful and are pushing their claim for assistance from the great iron highways. Especially are the iron makers active in pressing their request for a reduction in freight rates of the product when there IS not much of a demand. The iron men are very hopeful. and with the reduction be- lieve that they can go into the market and practically force consumers to buy from them The furnacemen have no | doubts but that with the reduction m freight rates they can go North, East and West and dispose of great quantities Of iron. dispOsing of not only the make at present, but the accumulated iron. One of the higher officials of large concern when questioned by The Tradesman cor respondent. said: Tt is not yet settled that the railroads are not going to give in fraiOht rates. We must be .eiven some assistance, and we are good friends to the railroads. The time has come for the railroads to grant the request. and I feel confident that the re- quest will be granted in the near future, too"
 Chattanooga, Tenn. Oct. 3,-The South ern industrial development for the week ending today. as reported by The Trades man. includes the following new organi- zations as among the most important: Alabama.
 Shefield-Saw mill.
 Mohile-S3O,OOO furniture factorV' 'pro- [ iecteA) .
 Birmingham-$5O,OOO coal ana coke com pany; s5O.OOO feed mill and grain elevator
 Anniston-Furniture factory
 Arkansas.
 Oeceola-S25.OOO telephone company
 Mlnturn-Si0,OUO cottoh
 pany. A,,, oo,,, pany.
 Florida. ... Arcadia-s1OOOO lumber company $lV'oVO fertilizer factory. ,,,,o.,,r Jacksonville-$1OOOO lumber manufactur- i ing company. .,., ..oras [ Bayard-slO.O GOO lumber and naval stores company. ..or,,
 Tallahassee-$2O.O tobacco ractoIy;
 acksonville-Automoblle anu gas company.
 Ocala-Hardware company
 Georgia.
 Copvers-Flectric light plant; water works.
 Windsor-rlectric light plant
 pa,baY,, esoo ooo oil and fertilizer com