The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-06
IRON, COAL ANDSTEEL
WEEKS REVIEW OF THE TRADE
CONDITIONS.
Prices In Mineral District Have Ad-
yanced and There II n Stendy
Demand for the Products
Of Mines.

Birmingham, May Especial )-Re-
markable conditions exist in the Ala
bama pig iron and steel markets. With
less than six months of the year gone
by, manufacturers of these products
are beginning to talk of withdrawing
from the market because of the extra
ordinary demand and sales.
Prices have advanced from 81 to sl:5o
per ton. No. 2 foundry iron for de-
livery during the third quarter OF
the year is bringing $40 per ton. while
1t is now difficult matter to get No.
2 foundry for the fourth quarter at
$40 to $3.50 per ton. Less than three
years ago Alabama manufacturers
would not sell iron more than three
months ahead of time The buying mas
been steady for some months.
The delay in deliveries because OF
the inability of the railroads to ham
die all the traffic that was onered
them, interfered with the business
some. But there has been need for
iron and sales have been made right
along, the delivery being put on JUST
as long as possible. The announce
ments that some of the companies, ana
1t is true that larger concerns are
among the number, are about to with
draw from the market because of the
amount of iron sold ahead is exceeding
ly interesting.
Increased Production.
No doubt exists but that the produc-
ton is going to be increased consid-
erahIv during the second half of the
wear. but this, too. has been thought
of and sales have been jam up. some
of the most prominent iron men OF the
state say that conditions are mos'
healthy. All indications point to
strong demand on the turn of the year
and a good price, in fact the manutac-
turers look for buying to start Tor
next year right away. Granting that
the cost of pig iron making right now
is as high as it ever was in Alabama,
the profits are greater now than they
have been in many day. the only
sigh of discomfort to be heard in this
State Is the production There is
little bit better output noticed put
plenty of room yet exists for iron pro-
duction, in fact efforts are being made
to blow in furnaces which have been
under repairs for several weeks
A few of the furnaces making iron
now are in need of refining or other
repairs but as long as they are turning
out iron they will not be disturbed.
Just as fast as the furnaces get IN
shape they will be put into commits
sion. Every ton of iron that can be
manufactured is needed. Positively
no fears exist that the production
might become too large. Such con-
dition in the face of present condi-
lions and prospects appears fmpossl-
BILE. With the surplus stocks almost
entirely removed. the spot iron bust
ness has been practically knocked out
and all orders being booked now will
require the regular make to be saved
up. Heretofore there was chance OF
taking some of the accumulated stock
and fill in on a little of the spot bus
mess, the prices being high. twenty
four dollars Is now the quotation for
No. foundry spot iron the highesi
price that has ever prevailed.
Heavy Sales Recorded.
AS an indication that every effort Is
to be made to get the furnaces under
repairs in operation at the earliest
possible moment, the statement is
made that the Tennessee Company will
abandon the proposed betterment or
skip hoist on one of the Bessemer fur-
naces.
An estimate is made that no less thar
$4,000 tons of pig iron were sold dur
ing the month of April by manufactur-
ers in this State While the greater
portion of this product went out under
SIS. so per ton, No. 2 foundry, there
was good profit. The earnings o.
the iron companies in Alabama during
the present year will be better than
ever before.
The transportation facilities are still
very good, such a decided improvement
what was in effect a few weeks bach
that not single manufacturer would
have the heart to make complaint
against the present conditions. The
railroad officials are doing everything
in their power to clean the blocks at
the terminals and along the lines and
much success is browning their eff
forts. On the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad in particular much work is
done on Sundays to clear the block at
the terminals. engines being brought
to the main line still from the mineral
divisions so as to move all the accumu-
lated freight of the week. A similar
effort is made on other roads and when
light days come along with through
business the iron. steel and kindred
product is moved as quickly as posi-
BILE.
FOundries and Machine Shops.
phe home consumption of pig iron is
extensive The machine shops and
foundries report the melt heavy and
steady with the prospects bright. An
authoritative statement comes from the
plant of the payne and Joubert Com
pany, whose big plant at East Brm-
tnRham is a busy place. is to the effect
that many orders are in hand or sight
for sugar refining machinery and other
work, ~and that there is no doubt but
that there will be steady work for
many months to come. This concern has
been doing well ever since ii was es-
tablished here, a little over a year ago.
Other machine shops and foundries in
this district report a good line of orders
In hand with the brightest of prospects
for the future. The cast iron pipe trade
is healthy and the melt with them will
be interesting this year. in fact. the
pipe makers look forward to the most
active year of their existence. There
is a good demand for all sizes of pipe
and the prices obtained just now are
most satisfactory. Other Industries
employing pig iron in their daily oper-
alton, report the brightest conditions
on and the future prospects as fine as
they could wish for
Coal and Coke.
All the coal that can be mined is
finding a ready demand The pro-
duction right now is strong. in fact.
the mines in operation are losing no
time The railroads are furnishing al
most all the cars the mine operators are