The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-07
IRON PRODUCTION IS
 GREATLY CURTAILED
LOCAL MARKET FEATuRELESS, BUT OUTLOOK FOR NEW YEAR BRIcHTENING-lN ARE
 GROWING MUCH MORE ACTIVE.

The local iron market is featureless this week. In the Birmingham district no idle furnaces are added to those blown out last week.
 Rogers, Brown X Co.'S Cincinnati re- port for the current week follows:
 There has been an improvement in tho iron trade during the past week. This has manifested itself most prominently in an increase of inquiry, which, compared with the dullness of the recent past, can be said to be quite lively. The influence is not only shown in this territory, but similar reports received from other dis tricts throughout the country prove that tie movement is quite general. The in- quiry has been mostly for spot tonnage, but in some cases has covered first-quar- ter requirements. Prices are very irreg- ular. However, the business done has been at figures apparently mutually satls- factory, and 1t is expected it will not be long before an established market will be the rule and not the exception.
 Production continues to be cut down in surprising manner, furnaces being blown out almost daily. This is consid- cred an excellent time for repairs or needed improvements, which are being done in wholesale fashion. If this cur tailing of production proceeds during the next three weeks, the small production in December will stand out in most vivid contrast against the more than two years which have preceded it. The almost nni- versal action which has brought this about is something which has never oc- cured before and is having a wonderful effect and steadying tendency against a serious and unreasoning panic in the iron trade which might otherwise ensue. As conditions change for the better and jus tify fl, and repairs are completed or changes made, there will be gradual re- sumption and increasing production which will meet demands as they arise. This handling of what would otherwise be a bad case of overproduction is having at the present time a most perfect presenta- ton of its possibilities and so far seems to have met the theoretical view in every particular. Industrial plants are still eau tious about operation, and many are still out, others running on half time or largely reduced force, and although re- ports are received of much improvement there has been little change locally. There was not so much closing down in this neghborhood as in some others, and the difference in this respect Is not being so widely felt.
 That fundamental conditions are sound and that financial affairs in the east par ticularly. have improved during the week is admitted generally, and while caution Is to be pursued in all lines during the next few weeks 1t is believed we arc again on the upward road and early in next year there will be a marked and definite movement toward buying. As 1t stands now, this movement would un- doubtedly have appeared during Decem- Der were it not for the recent changes which have come over the face of our industrial affairs. This has brought about curtaiment in manufacturing. and the iron which was originally bought with the supposition of lasting but to the 1st of January. will now. on account of decreased use in most cases. carry the consumers over the first of the year, again going to prove the statement that things are not all going to stop dead on January 1. as some people with unusually vivid ideas seem to believe The holiday time is near at hand and it is not expected it will have any but it's usual effect on the iron trade
 Coke remains quiet. There is an in creased inquiry and some transactions are pending which when closed will show up a good tonnage. Production is suffering along with pig iron and furnace coke is to be had in good quantity with prices somewhat easier"