The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-16
P|G IRON MARKET
 SOMEWHAT QUIET Holiday Season Has Its Effect
 on the Trade BUYING IN SMALL LOTS Consumption at Undiminished Rate. Speculation as to What the Steel Corporation Will Do In Re-
 gard to Buying.
BUYING IN SMALL LOTS

The iron market is quiet but quotations remain unchanged. Trading is on small scale and no brisk buying movement IS looked for until after the holidays.
 Rogers. Brown & Co.'s Cincinnati re- port of yesterdays date follows:
 After the many weeks of surcharged energy in the pig iron market the et- feet of the holiday season is felt, and the market is rather quiet than other wise, which is a relief to both buyers and sellers Consumers are still trying strenuously to get all possible metal for ward promptly on existing orders and furnaces are meeting with the same diff culty in getting their product moved. The general run of business with the foundry trade and other large consumers is fair, without any remarkable purchases. A number of consumers have been in the market for the first quarter when 1t had been supposed they were practically cov- cred. Additional business taken by them is the cause of this, and is in evidence as showing what a tremendous volume of orders mills and shops will turn over into the new year.
 
 diminished rate Reports show that dur ing November business booked by the leading manufacturers exceeded even Oc- tober, which was a record-breaker This applies alike to pipe, steel, locomotive and carmakers, and structural steel mills are but short way behind All higher grades are in good repute, and some continue scarce notably the higher grades Of foundry iron. Gray forge and mottled have had the call in local territory, and fair tonnage of these grSSles has been sold. The basic and Bessemer irons are quieter, but due more to lack of supply than desire on the part of consumers. If much of these were available for early shipment they could easily be disposed of.
 There is speculation as to what the steel corporation will do in regard to buying iron for the first quarter of next year. 1t Is a question whether their own supply will be sufficient with what they will carry over from previous purchases. Their entire available furnace capacity is running full with two exceptions. It has been reported that they will have to purchase heavily before the first of the year, and if this is done it will prob ably be on the basis of ST to $17.50 per ton at the valley furnaces. This would be 50 cents per ton advance since pur- chase made in November, and would be justified as the market is now fully this much higher.
 Coke remains unchanged with advan- tageous weather still in evidence in the districts. For the benefit of those vitally interested it is to be hoped that the com ing of typical winter weather will be de- layed until the last minute
 Matthew, Addy & Co.'s Cincinnati re- port says:
 This wonderfully fine weather, which has been general throughout the country, has been of great value to the iron trade, as it has continued the season of outdoor work Christmas shoppers have an idea that these bracing days are made solely for their benefit. taking little heed of the immense iron and steel, coke and coal industries which find 1t so advan- tageous to have the railroads run regu- larly, and to have labor unimpeded by winter storms. While there is still se- rious shortage of cars at the coke ovens, vet railroad service Is better than usual at this time of the year. Prices Of coke on this account are somewhat easier, for the abnormal prices for coke come not from q scarcity of coke, but because of the ina bility of the railroads to handle 1t.
 During the week there has been quite a revival of inquiry, and there has been some decided purchasing of iron for ship ment over the first half of next year.
  orders running from 200 up to 1000 tons. There has been sufficient of this kind or business, however, to make a very de- cided volume of trade. There is also more inquiry for spot iron Prices remain firm at the top notch, and the majority Of con sumers still expect to see In the not distant future considerably higher quo tations prevailing. The situation Is very much like that of a railroad eating sta- tion where an excursion train has stopped A . about all the sandwiches on the coa . have been eaten. Another eX- cursion train comes along and the few sandwiches that are left are swept up in a hurry, and then sandwiches will be at premium. The big buying movement we have had is the first excursion train, and if another excursion train comes along 1t is very evident what Is bound to occur. It Is impossible to analyze the business of the week because it has been general. Little lots of everything have been purchased. Two classes of iron are scarce and there is great complaint on the part of the consumers because they are not getting shipments in large enough volume One is basic and the other is malleable Consumption is running along without any diminution, the approaching holidays having yet exerted no influence in this direction.