The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-19
Is QUIET BUT FIRM
CONDITIONS OF IRON AND STEEL
 MARKET.
Prominent Men Admit Business Slow, But Say There Is No Cause fer
 AIarm--RaiIroads Handling Products Well.

Birmingham, Aug. 18.--(Special )-- "Quiet but firm" These three words state conditions of the pig iron mar ket in Alabama to the point. Furnace companies in this State are working \ hard to keep up strong production and make deliveries on orders which were booked some weeks since, and this is proving quite task. The make is not as steady as it might be, with some local mishaps, with others short supply of ore, with others still short ness of labor.
 A hardship of some kind is apparent in all quarters. The Sloss- Sheffield Steel and Iron Company reports plenty of raw material on hand. ore and coke both being in plenty. A little mishap, however, at the only furnace in opera tion at North Birmingham belonging to this company reduced tie daily make from 150 to 200 tons. The Ten nessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Com pany has found the ore supply un- steady, while the Southern Steel Com pany has had a similar complaint. Other furnace cumpanies have had troubles and a visit to the general of- fees elicits the statement at more than one place that every energy is being extended to make deliveries on orders on hand.
 The railroads are, doing well, but there is little complaint of the ser- vice especially where the raw mate rial is being handled. As a whole. the railroads are doing much better than at this time last year. The report of the Alabama Car Service Association for the month of July shows a good condition as compared to previous Julys. and the prospects are bright for similar reports during the balance of the year. The furnace companies are watching the transportation facilities gerk4k all nd yfcif Ola l. most daily to the offices of the super intendents. This is in line with the endeavors to have steady output of iron and regular shipments of the product.
 While the business is rather slow, quotations are holding strong. A few sales are still being made for delivery during the first half of the coming year. This iron Is quoted at $1S.50 per ton, No. ? foundry. If any conces- sions are being made for the busi ness. positively no statements are made in that direction in the general offices of the companies in Birmingham. We are making effort to deliver on orders on our books" is the way that it is put when furnace companies are ques- fioned.
 Prominent iron. men, in talking over the situation, admit that the mart right now is rather slow, but there is no need for any alarm. That there will be need for iron is not doubted in the least The home consumption is still very heavy and officials seen assert that the prospects are bright as they can be, so that 1t Is figured when the present supply ofs iron is exhausted, there will be need for more. Much iron is being shipped from this dis trict.
 There is a good demand for finished iron and steel Despite that the mills at Bessemeu are in full operation re- pairing is going on about the plant. At the Birmingham mills only repair work is going on.. At the Gate City Mills, belonging to the same company Tennessee Republic Company, there is steady operation. It is authorita- lively announced that no less than twenty puddIers are needed at this plant with assurance of steady work for some time to come, while other la bor is needed in these industries. The stock houses of the rolling mills are not greatly burdened, the product being shipped out about as rapidly as it is being manufactured. All shapes appear to be in good demand and the prices are firm as with the pig iron mart.
 The steel situation Is interesting. The production holds about the same rignt along. Some weeks there is little failing off in the amount that Is pro- duced and the following week the average is bettered some. Positively every ton of steel that will come up to requirements finds ready demand, in fact the advance sales will cover the probable malxe for quite a while yet Good prices obtain for this pro duct and will for some time. The ex- pertinent in manufacturing sO-pound rail in this district has proven a sue cess and the probabilities are that sze rail will be made in quantity in this section in the future. There Is rood demand for 90-pound rail, just as there is for sO-pound rail. When the new steel plant is completed and fin operation 90-pound rail may be a regular proposition. Steel wire and malls are also in good demand.
 cast iron pipe is most active. ship meuts from North Birmingham. Bes- semer and Anniston are steady. Much nine is now being shipped from the Ressemer pipe plant to St. Louis In- gpectors from that section of the coun- try will have steady work hereabouts for a little while yet before contracts have been filled Some healthy con tracts are reported in sight and the manufacturers in/t the Birmingham dis trict are preparing to bid on them. The yards at the pipe plants are well covered with the manufactured pro- duct but as far as can be learned Ahere is no apprehension that the ae-