The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-25
MARKET FOR IRON.
PRODUCERS SELLING RIGHT ALONG
 FOR FUTURE DELIVERY.
The preYatltna Prices are q Little
 Above Those of the Past Week ..-- OF TvvO--sOme Orders
 a~A

The RreV8iAgnG FRhces &ES
 Above Those of the Past Week
 OF TvtO--SOne Orders
 Refused.
 Birnntneham.s May 24.--(Special.)- Alabama pig iron producers are selling their product right along for delivery during the third quarter of the year.
 Quotations are holding firm at $l1.bo per ton, No. foundry, which Is a little above the price that has been prevailing for the past week or two There Is no anxiety, however, to un- load a great quantity of iron at these prices, all manufacturers being nope full that there is soon to be an improve rnent in the demand which will carry better price for the product. The Iron prices have been down to as low mark as has prevailed in this section in several years and for that reason the producers do not care to sell more than the probable make at the prices that are current.
 One of the larger concerns, conn pany with three furnaces in blast at present has refused a large-sized order at 3II.20 per ton, No. foundry. It is stated on good authority that prepara- tions' are being made to blow in two or three furnaces in this district before the end, of the month. The blowing in of the No. city furnace by the Sloss- hemeld Steel and Iron Company, though the Lady Enslen furnace at Sheffield was blown out, means an in- creased production in the State, as the furnace in Birmingham has the larger capacity. There is but little Iron on the furnace yards in the immediate Birmingham district. while the demand for local brands Is picking up right along The refusal on th c part of one of the iron companies to sell a large order of iron at less than 50 cents under the prevailing price indicates that there is some strength in the market. The approach of the political national conventions Is also being looked for ward to now by the manufacturers. as it Is not to be denied that the politi- cal situation has something to do with general conditions. A Presidential year always brings about dull times in tn metal market. ~
 The little Quinn furnace at Gadsden is making iron again, but inasnuch as the. daily capacity there Is small, but little attention has been attracted. Two furnaces at Ensley and two at Besse- mer, of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company are said to be ready almost for the torch, and are to be started up at no late day.
 The home consumption is improving by the cast iron pipe industries. receiv- ing number of orders for their prod uct. with more in sight. A third pit at the big plant Of the United States Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry Company at Bessemer will resume operation Mon day morning giving employment to a hundred more men. This plant will gently received from St Louis and other points being sufficient to warrant the whole plant being started up with prospects of a steady operation for some time to come The Dimmick Pipe Company. the American Pipe Company, the Sheffield Cast Iron Pipe and Foun- dry Company and other pipe concerns in this state. are reported to have a good line of orders on hand which will bring up the melt for the year wh ich has been so far considerably on as compared to what 1t was last year.
 Foundries and machine shops in the Birmingham district report still that there is plenty room for improvement, thodgh the prospects are quite bright. One ar -tuo foundries and machine shops in the immediate district have been doing we'll all along and have more orders on hand, but, generally speaking. the trade has not been enjoy ing much prosperity,
 Rumors will not down that the steel works of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company, United States Steel Cornora tion), does not intend com-- mencing operations before June 15 It is generally understood that there will be a resumption of operations by June 8. Orders have been given for the resumption of work at several of the coal mines belonging to this company in the Pratt Mines division. tb csc mines furnishing coal to the steel plant and to the furnaces which furnish basic Iron to the steel works The mines will be in operation by June G. and this is taken to mean that there will be a resumption of operations at the big works. A large number of men, be- tsl,Aas 2o0O and 5000. are anxiously