The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-01
BRIGHT FEATURES
 IN IRON MARKET IrreguIarity in Prices, Espec- laIIy in Southern Irons COKE IN ACTIVE DEMAND Rate of Iron Consumption Is Without Noticeable chanee-steel and
 Steel Products Are Still
 Center of Attention.
COKE IN ACTIVE DEMAND

Sales of Birmingham iron in small lots this week are taken to mean that con sumers stocks have run low and that
 buyers are waiting for July before mak- ing large stocks. One concern is making inquiries for 15,O0O tons of Birmingham pig metal. The only company here that
 carries any considerable stock on it's
 yards Is the Sloss-Sheffield which now
 has ninety odd thousand tons, including 20,0O0 tons sold at high prices some time ago, and covered by warrants.
 Rogers, Brown & Co.'s Cincinnati re- port of yesterdays date says:
 The market this week presents several encouraging features, which are looked upon with satisfaction by both makers and consumers. The settlement of wage scale difficulties which have been pend ing in various places, the relaxing of the close policy in purchases pursued by many firms on account of the semi-an- nual closing of books. weather conducive to the best results in agricultural and manufacturing lines, are a few of the bright spots. The nearer approach of the time when contracts for the last half are in order sees marked revival in interest on the part of buyers AL though inquiries are for small lots and are no proper indication of the consum- ing capacity of most buyers, they are present iii increasing numbers. There is as yet an absence of genuine inquiry for a round tonnage with any real in- tenton of buying. However, for the first f,, hoe been reflected in a fair measure on sales books
 Irregularity to prices continue and is marked in southern irons. Northern iron, while unsettled, has better feel ing than a week ago.
 Curtailment of production continues while to all appearances the rate of consumption is without noticeable change. It is remarked that the adjust ment of the miners wage scale in the Birmingham district for the ensuing year was accomplished on last years basis with unusual unanmity and despatch. Those interests which have been run ming open shop were not approached and the fight on their part will tinued.
 Steel and steel products are the center of attention and the amount of this class of business placed and in process of manufacture is without precedent. All interests look forward to the conn ing of July with considerable compla- cency.
 Coke is in good demand and prices are steady without change.
 Matthew Addy & Co. s pig iron report for the week ending July 1 says
 The events of the week are easily ehronicled because they have not been many. There has been a regular run of small orders for prompt shipment. Buying of this kind is steadily increas- ing. There is also a growing inquiry. Some of this inquiry is simply for the purpose of gathering information in re- gard to prices. while without doubt some of it actually means business. Of course it is very evident indeed that the time Is close at hand when there will necessarily be buying movement of con- siderable proportions. Consumers in some cases have enough pig iron to last them until July, but very few have any pig iron much beyond that time. As rule the general and special foun- dries are extremely busy, and there are no signs of let-up in consumption. In fact the greatest feature in the situa- tion is the enormous and uninterrupted consumption of pig iron.
 Prices have receded to a point where ordinarily they should prove extremely attractive to buyers. In many sections of the country prices are dangerously near cost line, and their downward move ment cannot continue indefinitely. Buy CTS in the past have frequently made the mistake of waiting too long, for 1t is an admitted fact that with condi- of ohauf ufter on wholesale scale will speedily ad- vance quotations.
 Coke has been very active, and heavy contracts are being placed right along for shipment over e balance of the year.