The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-05
IRON MARKET IN
FIRM CONDITION
The Local Market Somewhat
Quiet This Week
CONSUMPTION is HEAVY
Inquiry for Considerable Tonnage Is
Pending-Eftect of Strike of Long
shoremen In the Situation.
The Coke Market.

The Birmingham iron market has been
somewhat quiet this week, but the price
continues firm on S14 basis.
Rogers, Brown & Co.'S Cincinnati re-
port for the current week follows:
The market continues most satisfactory
from the producers standpoint the only
unfavorable feature being the strike of
the longshoremen on the lakes. If the
strike is of more than two weeks dura-
ton, it will result In the shutdown of
some independent furnaces now running
on foundry and malleable iron, for a
number have about exhausted their ore
supply and were depending on receiving
some deliveries on opening of navigation
to keep in operation. The supply of ore
on docks of the lower lake ports is prac-
tically exhausted. If the strike remains
unsettled even for a short period, 1t is
likely to affect the price and delivery of
northern irons
Sales of all grades continue in satisfac-
tory volume, and inquiry for a consider
able tonnage Is pending, particularly for
malleable and basic. One large consumer
is now in the market for their June re-
qulrements of foundry iron, but most in
quiries and sales are for delivery extend
ing throughout the third quarter. Bes-
semer and basic for nearby shipment are
scarce. Prices are Arm and some northern
furnaces refuse to accept further orders
at the close price at which they made
some recent sales.
There is no let up in the exceedingly
heavy consumption, which is keeping pace
with production.
Foundry coke is quiet, but there is a
good demand for furnace coke from the
Connellsville district and good figures are
being realized for this grade.
Matthew Addy & Co.'s Cincinnati re-
port says:
The week just ended has seen no i'm
portant change in the situation of the
local pig iron market. Inquiry continues,
and rather satisfactory tonnage of
actual orders has been placed. Buyers
generally still seem to be inclined to de-
lay covering their requirements for the
last half of the year, although quite a
number of big consumers have sent out
'feelers" within the past few days and
several bonafide deals of considerable
size are pending. What activity there
has been has appeared in spots, and the
Chicago district has probably had more
than its proportionate share. There, more
IMAM any e tiSt, tlit blS DuytlS SeeI1l
to realize the proximity of the last half,
and to appreciate that they must do some
thing towards looking after their require
ments. The demand for basic continues,
and number of sales of maleable are
reported.
The agricultural implement manufac-
turers who have been buying only for
their immediate requirements are now be-
ginning to take an interest in the situa-
ton, and inquiries from this direction are
quite numerous. distinct feature of
the present situation is the absolute
dearth OF southern charcoal iron. Not
for many years has the south been in
as crippled condition so far as this pro-
duct is concerned. 1t seems impossible to
secure sufficient charcoal to keep the
furnaces going and practically none of
this metal is to be had today either for
prompt or forward shipment. Current
business is certainly of sufficient volume
to maintain the present scale of prices
A feeling of satisfaction seems to exist
both with the buyer and the consumer
Shipments are going out al rate that
leaves very little on the furnace yards.
The market for foundry coke is quiet,
but number of southern furnaces are
contracting for the last six months of
this year on a sliding scale basis