The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-14
PIG IRON MARKET
 HAS BETTER TONE
FROM SOME POINTS COME RE- PORTS OF LARGER BUSINESS AND INCREASED INQUlRY-coKE IS VERY ACTIVE.

The Birmingham pig iron market is still dull, but within the past few days in- quiries have been more numerous than they were last week.
 Rogers, Brown & Co.'S Cincinnati report for the current week follows:
 With a persistence which Is remarkable the pig iron market maintains its rather uninteresting course chronicled dur ing the past six weeks. At this writing 1t has the added interest of increased ih- quiry and a slightly better tone re- gards prices generally. However, as far as anything startling presents itself, one will have to look other than at the cur rent trading In pig iron.
 Now that we have reached the middle of September and financial conditions are in much better shape, 1t is only proper that the iron market should reflect these, and this is decidedly the case. From some points come reports of very much better business and more lively inquiry and sales consummated, and 1t is these evil dences of renewed interest which seem to indicate that from now on there will be better buying movement. As it is now, a very small tonnage is contracted for delivery after the 1st of January, and it is fast approaching the time when iron for these deliveries vii have to be given serious attention. Inquiry made for 10CS delivery has for the most part been only tentative, and the actual sales result ing have been small. It will be neces sary at an early date for both buyers fn nat basis, and it is believed that this can be done in manner mutually satisfac- tory to both and at date not far dis tant So far any figures made for 19O8 business have been with special refer ence to each inquiry and the condition of furnace order books. and 1t is not pos sible. on account of the desultory manner in which this business has come up, to name anything like a regular market price for 1908 at the present time
 Some large sales of basic iron are re- ported from the east, and a larger tom mage of foundry irons Is under offer than for several weeks. Indications point gen orally to a conclusion reached by consum- that prices are not going any lower, and 1t would perhaps be well for them to contract for what iron they may re- quire through this year, feeling that later on they would be called upon to pay an advance over figures at which they can now purchase. It is undoubtedly true that consumers in touch with the stua- ton can figure serious car shortage this fall and winter. making it difficult to get deliveries, even if the furnace should be making enough iron to go around. Predic- tions are that the crop movement will be of great size, and the railroads will again experience unusual difficulty n handling this and taking care of other business at the same time.
 Coke continues strong and active, with slightly increased output in the various districts. There is a good movement and excellent business is being done in both spot and forward delivery. This means that a short time will see lively business in coke for 1908 delivery at no time has the coke market been less influenced by the ups and downs of pig iron than during the six months past. It is operat ing by itself and is today one of the strongest commodities being offered