The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-20
MARKET FOR IRON
ALABAMA MANUFACTURERS OF
 TIMIsTIC OVER CONDITIONS.
It is Confidently Expected That There VIII Be m Immediate Improve ment in the General
 Condftions.

Conditions.
 Birmingham. April 1s.-(Specisl)- An improved inquiry for pig iron has given wonderful encouragement among the pig iron manufacturers Of Alabama and 1t is confidently expected that there will be an immediate improvement in general conditions.
 Two of the iron companies report a decided change for the better for the demand as compared to conditions that have prevailed during the past four weeks. The Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron Company and the Sloss- Shefield Steel and Iron Company are reported to have booked some nice bus dness recently. The make in Aiabaliha is holding it's own. The blowing In of the Gadsden furnace of the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron Company is followed by the blowing out of the Florence furnace of the Sloss-S -Sh efaeid Steel and Iron Company The receiv- CTS and trustees in charge of the Quinn furnace. the small on-uJaker at Attalla, are making preparations to blow in that furnace In order that ma terial on hand can be worked up and some money can be earned for the creditors. -,--t
 Quotations are still holding up well, the Iron being quoted at between SIP and SIS per ton. No. 2 foundry. It is announced that some special analysis iron was disposed of recently, in small lots. as high as SIS per ton. No.2 2 foun- dry. There is a statement heard that some iron has been sold for export. tn c product. to be shipped to Genoa either via Pensacola or Mobile. No yerifica- ton of this statement is to be secured here. the only evidence of any business in that direction being done can be re- AF -af Iron in the past three weeks. following the completion of a $500 ton order, the product going to Genoa via Pensacola. The reports that have been current place the amount of export business recently booked in this district at 1000 tons. If this were a fact preparations would be under way, 1t Is believed, at some of the furnaces. The Tennes- see Coal, Iron and Railroad Company has no preparations under way in .the direction of furnace operation save at Ensley where basic iron is produced for the big steel plant. +.-i. f...
 The inquiries that are being received in the Birmingham district for pig iron are coming from all directions and in several instances they bid to develop into business. Whether the inquiries come from foundries and other con- sumers who are attempting to fore- cast the future and cause some interest remains to be seen but the majority of the men in the producing end of the business are of the opinion that there Is real intention in the recent develop ment and that 1t will not be long now before better condition will be noted all around. . .r4
 The production of iron ore has been curtailed some. Already great quan- titles of the product have been stock cd up ready for shipment to the furnaces when needed It is estimated that q good lead has been secured in ore so that when the iron making improves and should get back to that exceeding ly active state that was noted less than a year ago there will be no need for interruption because of the raw ma- terial supplies. as was the case here at one time. This idea presented it. self when the depression first came on and there was need for the curtailment of the iron production and the stock ing up on ore will prove valuable move before long.
 Within another fortnight. 1t is fig- ured, several of the departments of the big steel plant of the Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad Company. will be ready for a resumption of operation. When the immense Improvements and development in the steel plant began the 0TSL or LIlC At Woo nut w lieyed that there could be a resumption of regular operation under six weeks. A day and night force was put on and the work has been pushed right along. Already the blooming mill. an import ant department of the steel plant. has been put in shape and the machinery has been tested and found to be- ready for steady operation. Before May-l the steel rail mill will be ready and that means practically the whole plant, There Is considerable work yet to- be done on the open hearth mills, thatYis the new furnaces. but the main part of the big plant will shortly be ready for the men to be at their posts again. It is understood that 1t is the inten- tions of the Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad Company to start the plant up again just as soon as 1t is ready. There Is said to be a most promising market ahead in steel, in whatever shape may be produced
 One effect of the recent visit to the Birmingham district by President w. E Corey and other officials of the Ten nessee Coal. Iron and Railroad Com many Is felt in realty at Ensley,. the steel suburb of Birmingham. Acreage lands within a few miles of the town Is bringing a most healthy price while | town lots have taken on a. wonderful | increase. All sorts of rumors prevail | The big corporation Is said to nave purchased considerable adjacent prop: | erty and is in a position to extend
 works just as much as might be de- sired.
 Announcement is made that recent l contracts received by the Dlmmick Pipe Company warrants the starting uT l of the additional pits and the company l ls in a position to handle any and all 1 business in cast iron pipe that migh' | he offered. The Dimmick Company promises to have a strong melt thii wear anyway though there has beer l considerable depression in affairs du' 1 ring the past six months. The Ameri
 can Cast Iron Pipe Company whos' l plant Is also located In the vicinity o | North Birmingham is doing fairly well | If Is believed that the big pipe plant | in the Bessemer district will at m | distant date be in steady operation. | The formation of the Alabama Fne l and Iron Company the incorporation l napers of which were filed few day
 ago in the probate office in Blrmlng | nam. will mean something for the dis | frIct. While it is understood that on | of the larger companies In the distrtc l is just absorbing some properties or | smaller company. still 1t Is not i'm
 probable that such a change will meA 1 some more stupendous than at presen
 thought of The object or the Ala | TNrsF, .Cersf51 rilffV AfclTc