Bisbee daily review., 1908-11-25
METAL MARKET DUETS DOWN,
 BUT Is STRONG
Natural Let Up After Several Days of Activity Does Not Mean Any Loss or UndeSir- able Conditions.

8otS SVttuillUltos
 The metal markets reflect the quiet ing down conditions after the activity in most metals that characterized tuS market up to the m dale of last week. The tone for all metals is strong as u toe statistical position. Interviews with the more important pig iron maA ers and melters in the New York zone exhibit that wants are well covered through the last weeks of this year, and, in most cases, through the first quarter of 1909. Prices of pig iron are unchanged for foundry and steel nak- ing grades. A number of southern and northern foundry iron makers are declining prefers for large tonnages for the first half of next year at ruling prices,
 The opinion of the principal pig iron buyers for the machinery and hardware trades is that if the i'm provement in trade holds out well there will be an advance of dollar ton in foundry ircn by the middle or January. In a number of lines of manufactured iron, prices are stiffen- ing for nearby shipments. The most Important feature of the pig iron mar kets that inspires confidence in the future in the foundry interests is the large number of important building contracts recently settled for con stTuction work that will begin early in, the winter.
 The amount of this kind for the United States and Canada is $450, ,000,- 900 for all kinds of material The es- timated requirements in steel and iron goods, for these contracts are l. FOG. 900 tons. -
 Domestic copper markets are strong and steady. Prices are at If 1-2c to iSc for prime lake; electrolytic 14 1-2c to 14 7-Sc. For spot want, prime casting is scarce. Bronze and brass founders report that it is difficult to get adequate supplies for the rest of this month and early December. Prices are from 14 1-4c to fl 3-4c. Some inferior casting copper is Tn the market at 13 7-Sc to fl lie.
 Eight of the important copper pro- ducers are out of the market up to February first These concerns are fully engaged for all the copper they can get out of the ground during De cember and January. Visits to all the efectrolytic. works within the zone of New York show that the demands for metal are 30 urgent for some of the larger copper and brass mills that copper Is being shipped hot from the works and there is no stock on hand. SiXty-tive per cent of the copper that is;worked up in this country is for ac- count of industries within six hun hrad miles of this city.
 Judging from interviews with all the copper consuming corporations with In that zone whose main offices are just about one-half the plants are oper- ating full time under orders that will be pretty well worked of by the md de of December. The big rolling mills are working full time, but not to. more than sixty per cent of full rated capacity. Brass and bronze foundries and lighting fixture works are running full time, and in a mum Der of cases over time. But all plants that are operating over time are em- pIoyed for holiday goods. The new year will find the majority of the mak- CTS of cast, spun and rolled copper OldSS GOOuo pretty we'll out of finished goods.
 The knowledge that steel in the form of crude, finished and unfinish- ed will not be reduced under ruling prices has brought about the placing of heavy tonusges with the principal steel mills. The executive officers of the eighteen important steel-naking interests express the belief that by the middle of the winter the mills will be working up to seventy per cent capac- fly. There is little doing in steel goods for export Tin plate is quiet sbnor-naiIy so in number of lines.
 Pig tin seems to be conditioned for further advance, as the importers and distributors sense the situation The market Is quite active in jobbing circles for quick shipments to New England, New York, New Jersey. Pennsylvania and western metal work ing plants are employed On holiday goods. Prices range from 30 I-2c to Sfc. Lead Is quiet, except under de nands for spot wants by several hun. dred factories in the western and mid. Gle states whose principal work is in goods that are sold in November and December. The larger consumers of pig lead are quiet Prices are steady at 4.04c to Sc per ounce for spot wants that are pressing from all parts cf the country where plants must have order books all filled In discharge nf contracts not later than December fS