The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-13
IRON,COAL AND STEEL
WEEKS REVIEW OF MINERAL DIs-
 TRICT MARKET.
Producers of Pig Will Be Able to Sell Every Ton They Can Pro. duce-COal and
 Coke.

Birmingham, May 12.-(Special.)- Alabama pig iron manufacturers will be able to sell every ton of iron they
 Already some of the iron makers are considering the propriety of withdraw ing from the market altogether on iron ter of the year despite the fact that the prices are now higher than they ever were and the profit Is very hand heavy, but the profit is better than ever before and no indications are given that there will be a reduction even next year
 number of sales have been made for delivery during the first three months in 1908, and the product has brought a splendid price; in fact, with the exception of the first sale made of next year iron, the quotations have been but 25 to 50 cents under the prices that prevailed for fourth quarter iron this year. Tho furnace companies and brokers who have been able to secure some spot iron have been reaping a harvest lately. No. foundry iron on immediate delivery. that is within thir- bringing over S23.50 per ton.
 A report is current that two or three furnaces are being run on the spot business, which means that there is an immense profit.
 Will Increasc Production.
 The production in this State will be materially increased during the next three weeks. The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company will blow in a furnace at Bessemer this week and a few weeks later another iron maker will be started up. Other furnaces now under repairs will shortly be in con- dition to start up. The improvement in production however, can hardly be 5 | per cent over what it is now
 There Is positively no fear that the production will get too heavy this year. The inquiries being received right now l would indicate that the consumers are | far from having all future needs sup piled. Regular customers have been | assured by Alabama manufacturers | that their wants are going to be sup | piled and therefore, there are no great | fears of a famine. That there will be more or less d scarcity of iron cannot be denied. however, and prices are go- ing to be up at high water mark for some time.
 The conditions existing in the iron mart in the Southern territory were not looked for six months ago; in fact. a little apprehension prevailed that there would be reaction throughout the en | tire country. The announcement that the BeSSemer iron makers had accepted orders that would take them months and months to fill gave encoura cement as the foundry iron makers felt con- fdent that competition would be mar rowed down much. Reports then came in that steel makers mad filled up on contracts, bridge builders, boiler works, cast iron pipe makers, stove makers and soil pipe concerns had or ders on hand or in sight that would require great quantities of iron before present contracts had been complc ted and the iron makers felt easy.
 Advance In Prices
 The advance in prices for the product does not appear 10 have any effect on the market and the consumers are as anxious as ever to place business. The manufacturers are not seeking the con sumers either, the consumers are look ing up the iron makers The best of feeling prevails among the manufac- turcrs over conditions.
 IL is noticed on all sides that the manufacturers are watching the spot more closely and where possible this trade is being handled. A statement a few weeks since that regular quo tations would take a tumble If the spot prices were not lowerei appears to have been q false prophecy and not only has the regular price of iron taken on an increase but the spot prices are better.
 Efforts to increase the raw mater ial supplies in this section have not heen in vain and the bins at furnaces are being kept in first class shape. The transportation facilities which took on a great improvement the first of April are stin good and nlgn off cials of the railroads getting the bulk of this traffic assert that there is to be no hold up in the conditions
 The railroad yards are still little full but there is sucn wide difference In conditions as existing now and