The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-04
PIG IRON FAMINE
 IS NOW PREDICTED
NEARLY ALL THE METAL THAT CAN POSSIBLY BE MADE IN THE PRESENT YEAR IS UNDER CON TRACT.

The iron trade remains strong and ac. tive. The Birmingham market Is with out especial feature this week The heavy buying movement last week and the week before have left comparatively little pig metal for sale, even for the last quarter. Nearly all the companies have withdrawn from the market for third quarter bus mess. An iron famine before summer is predicted.
 Rogers, Brown X Co.'S Cincinnati re- port for the current week follows;
 An increased number of inquiries of genuine character. much stronger feel Ing regarding last half business and growing fear for sufficient supply of iron after July 1 are the features of the weeks market Present strength of the market Is due mainly to inability of furnaces to increase their output as has been ex- pected confidently since the first of the year, and strength of the last half Is owing to the sold-up state of the visible supply of iron for that period. It would seem that those who do not now begin to realize that there Is going to be q shortage of pig iron during the latter part of this year are likely to be mis- taken. They are deceyilng themselves into what later will probably prove a very serious state of affairs if they have con- tracts for finished material and have not covered for pig iron. Each day brings report of some furnace which has with drawn from the market and each time these withdrawals are for a longer petiod ahead
 It would be hard for conditions to be much sounder, and the influence of the American market has been felt abroal sharp advance on imported irons has ing been registered during the week. Is reported that the stocks of foundA and steel making irons In Great Brtai are smaller than at any time within thri years, and that orders are coming il from America and Germany at great rate, even at sharply advanced figures.
 From the south comes report of sold-up order books, failure 10 increase produc- ton as has been expected. and furnaces behind on orders to a very large extent. Stocks of pig Iron at furnaces and on the yards of consumers are practically exhausted, showing conclusiyely that the iron Is being consumed as fast as made.
 
 from the south is very much improved.
 The first of May arrived with less agi- tation and smaller prospect of disturbance in labor circles than for a number Of years past. This in itself is reassurlng and an evidence of lack of discontent and uncertainty in many lines directly con- nected with the iron trade.
 Coke is quiet, prices are somewhat easier and there is an improvement in delivery. There is still considerable fur nace coke offering.
 Matthew Addy & Co.'S report says:
 April made a record that effectively set tied the question of pig iron for the rest of the year. So much Iron was sold last month that at least four-fifths of all the iron that can be made in 1907 is now un- der contract. And perhaps the tonnage of sold Iron is even greater. From begin ming to end the month was marked by heavy buying. The purchasing movement gained force as the month went on, and at the present time there Is the biggest kind of bull market. Nothing in sight can stop 1t,
 It looks as if before summer comes there will be actual shortage in Iron. So tremendous is the consuming power of