The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-30

| total of over 100000 tons has been sold by the furnace companies of the Birming- | ham district. While some of the iron makers decline to take less than $13.5 orders for considerable tonnage have | been taken at $l3
 1 Rogers, Brown & Co.'S Cincinnati re- port for the current weeks says: | Heavy buying for more extended de- | liyeries and covering the entire range | of grades, has been the weeks record. | High Silicon, malleable, all the foundry l grades, and, with the exception of basic and Bessemer. practically the entire list of regular and special kinds of Iron, have been called for by buyers. Purchases have run ahead of the same period for several | weeks past, and while a large tonnage | has gone to the south on account of | price reduction on some of the Birming- | ham irons, it will be seen from the fore going that the majority of the business has not gone to the south by any means.
 From north, east and west come the same favorable reports of large busi- ness and strong market conditions, with buyers acting freely in regard to de- lveries for the third quarter and last | half There Is the same sold up con- dition of furnaces, the same small stocks on furnace yards. and the same large consumption which has been ruling for weeks past.
 With the approach of July 1 and it's usual reputation for midsummer dullness, l there seems to be tendency to depart from precedent There is no indication of any dullness in either manufacturing buying or iron producing lines. The strength of the market at this time of the year is out of the ordinary, and actual conditions warrant it in every way.
 There is a reported tendency in Ferro- | Manganese and other imported specialtles | toi advance, foreign makers fearing a short supply of ores. and already prices on one or two of these commodities have been advanced. When it is remembered the soaring of prices registered in con- nection with Ferro Manganese last fall, it would not be surprising if considering conditions surrounding it's making his- tory repeated itself.
 The tenor of the crop news during the week was favorable and adds to the sta bility of the season.
 In the steel industry rails continue to be most active, and it is now estimated that the contracts placed for delivery in 1907 total 100000 tons. It seems inevita- ble that large tonnage which should have been delivered in 1906 should be car ried over and added to this for 1907, as at this time it is possible to figure on production for the first six months.
 Statistics of coke and anthracite pig iron production during the first five months is estimated at over 10, 600 tons, March being the record. June production will be somewhat off, but it is figured that to the first of July, 19O6 will have pro- duced 12,5 900 tons This includes char coal. as well as coke and anthracite pig. It is highly probable, therefore, that as a good balance has been maintained for the first six months. and to all appear | ances is likely to hold during the balance of the year 1907 will go on record in the neighborhood of 25, 100000 tons production. This as against 22. 900, 900 in 1905. the record year
 Coke has developed a firmer tone. some ovens having advanced prices following contracts recently placed by furnaces. A better demand for foundry coke is evil dent, due to settlement of strike diff cultes and increased work at foundries which have been affected.
 Matthew Addy & Co.'S Cincinnati re- port follows:
 As predicted by some, the recent cut in | prices of southern iron seems to have act ed as a tonic on the market. For the past several months, although conditions seemed ripe, 1t has been almost impos- sibe to arouse any interest, but the past week has not only brought out many large | inquiries, but a splendid volume of busi- ness has actually been booked. While there is no doubt about the fact that one or two large blocks of southern iron went on basis of sl3 Birmingham, the market quickly recovered itself. and today sl3 50 is the ruling quotation. It is rather a remarkable thing that the good effect of this reduction was felt almost immedi- | ately northern irons. Only for an in stant did the market waver; then, realiz- ing that northern ana southern Irons are now on a parity in many sections the | buyers began to come in.
 Not only have prices Ohio foundry and malleable irons been firmly main- tained, but in some instances they have been advanced Furnaces in this section are generally well taken care of with nice scattered tonnage for the balance of the year. and several that are sold up solidly for the next few months are run ming behind hand on shipments. Northern | No. foundry is being quoted at from SIS | to $l6 50 Ironton. while valley foundry irons are holding firmly at sl6.5O. There has been quite an active demand for mal- l leable iron. which Is extremely scarce in | many sections. and several large con- tracts have been closed. Basic and Bes- | semer continue strong. with nothing of fering for prompt shipment.
 1 In the south production is still very much off. As one furnace is blown in an- other is blown out for repairs. Every day sees quantities of telegrams and letters | urging shipments and many of the fur naces are running behind hand in deliv- | cries
 l All in all. the tone of the market is ex- | ceptionally healthy. At this time. in the middle of summer. and when we are at | the threshold of the second half, business | is usually very quiet. but today it is | o11ife the reverse Foupdries aud ,,,ilIc Q To