The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-07
CONSUMPTION OF
 PIG METAL LARGE Last Week in June Saw Heavy Buying RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION Iron Production In the South Had Fallen Of and Is Not improving
 Very Fast-The Coke
 Situation.
RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION

The Birmingham Iron market continues quite active at s1S to S13. 50.
 Rogers, Brown & Go. s Cincinnati report for the current week follows:
 The strength of the pig iron market in general and northern furnace condi- tions in particular has been forcibly dem onstrated during the past week, The ar bitrary reduction In the face of condi- tions which did not warrant it, the effort to get business for certain Birmingham brands regardless of price and general market influences, has resulted In the very early raising of this low level which had been made, and instead of having an adverse effect on northern prices and northern business, the opposite has seem- ed to be the case.
 The last week in June has seen the heaviest business in several months. Con- tracts have been placed for both north ern and southern irons, and buying has covered all grades. Large consumers have been in evidence and their careful feeling of the market and caution in regard to purchases, while resulting in large ton mage, have not brought any sudden ad- vance, although market conditions are much stronger than they have been in all districts.
 Although on the southern price sag a large tonnage was booked, 1t was of necessity for well extended delivery and northern furnaces have not suffered in comparison. The production in the south
 has been off for some time and is very slow in improvement, the bulk of sales prior to recent reduction being for nearby shipment. Sales and inquiry continue ac- tive and a large tonnage Is reported from all points, Basic and Bessemer are scarce and prices are stronger than they have been, recent contracts placed for the lat ter having practically cleaned up the supply for the next three months.
 The market on Ferro manganese is re- ported advancing, with several foreign manufacturers fearing shortage of ore supply.
 It is interesting to note the latest sta tistics on the worlds railroad building show that during 1904 there were HOO miles new line constructed. which Is 31 per cent over 19O3 and Is the largest addition reported for years. Of the ad- ditlon made during 1904 to the worlds mileage, nearly two-thirds was in Amer ica, and hardly one-hfth in Europe the American mileage being il. 160: the nearest competitor being the continent of Europe with 309O. an evidence of the great ad vance in this regard being made in North America. More than two-thirds of this American mileage Is in the United States F'latterlng reports continue from the western crops districts and the western railroads claim that the wheat crop will be one of the largest in history, and they are making efforts to take care of 1t accordingly The demand for all lines of finished materials continues excellent in spite of the fact that this is a dull buy ing period of the year Sales of structural material continue to be made, although it is reported that the mills are practical ly sold up for the balance of 1906
 Coke is In excellent demand: prices are firm with an advancing tendency. Some of the leading ovens in the Connelsvie field are not offering for nearby ship ment and prices are likely to advance when they are in position to do so. The recent closing of large furnace and foundry contracts for the balance of the year in Connellsville Pocahontas and Virginia districts has placed these oper- ators on secure footing for this period.
 Matthew Addy & Co.'S Cincinnati re- port for the week says:
 The week just ended marks the close