The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-23
COAL, IRON AND STEEL

Birmingham, Ala. Aug. 22.-(Spe- cial )--With No. 2 foundry firm at $13.50 per ton. a steady inquiry being received by the manufacturers and no | anxiety to book orders. the furnace l companies in the Southern territory have no complaint to make of condi- tions. And the prospects are very bright. No attempt has been made as yet to sound the price for iron to be delivered next year though several in- quiries are being received weekly from some of the larger consumers. tsAnother strong argument for the | steady market Is in the fact that the furnace companies in this district have not q great amount of iron on the yards here that is their own. the large | stacks of metal to be seen around fur nRces belonging to brokers, specula- tors and others who are beginning to take steps looking for its removal. As stated by an official of the Sloss-Shef- field Steel & Iron Company. there Is less than five thousand tons that is to be claimed by the company at its furnaces now. which means much, when 1t Is taken in consid- eration that three months -ago there was upwards of ninety thousand tons of iron on the yards practically all of which belonged to the company.
 The Sloss- -Sheffield Stell and Iron Company has stacked up in this inn mediate district more than fifty thou sand tons but as stated. very little of 1t belongs to the company. The spec ulators now have .an opportunity of letting loose, if they desire, at very satisfactory profit and 1t is likely that this will be done.
 No further improvements in the make has been announced in the last few days. There is steady work being done about furnaces and the Tennes- see and Sloss-Sheffield companies have two iron makers each which are prac- tically ready for the torch The Re- public Company is losing nc time in getting the No. 8 furnace at Thomas iu condition.
 Three or four other furnaces in this territory are being worked on with the end in view of putting them in operation. The furnaces which are producing iron at present are all doing well. but the make is not more than Is needed to fill the demands. The prob able make for the balance of the year has heen sold by some of the com paniea and others are holding off In selling, in anticipation of better prices which are sure to come in the near fu- ture.
 An evidence of better price came during the past week when some No. 1, soft iron. sold at $14.50 per ton, though a small lot. which means twen- ty-hve cents at least above the pres ent quotation for No. ? foundry. The prediction repeated that a fifty cents advance will be in effect by the end of the month and that by October $15 will be the price for pig iron.
 All kindred iron and steel industries in the Southern territory are feeling more or less improvement in condi- tions. Nuts and bolts have not only taken on improved condition as to trade but also as to quotations. No change in the steady activity In cast iron and soil pipe trades is given out. the various plants being busy places pipe prices hold up well. in fact intl- nations are still to be heard as to 6 better price all along the line.
 The steel plant will work on more than full time in such departments as have been going for the past six weeks through the balance of this month if not longer. Already the books show a nice amount of business for September. The visit of G. Domi nico, of the Argentine railroad, Bue- nos Ayres, to this district recently will result in some further trade. The Tennessee Company is to deliver in the next twelve months fifty thousand tons of steel rail to Buenos Ayres, the product to be shipped through the port of Mobile. MT. Dominica Is an inspector for the railroad. While here he watched the process of manufact- ure and expressed surprise at what was shown him.
 No announcements are forthcoming as to the developments proposed by the Tennessee Coal. Iron and Railroad Company in this section. The deeds for the large amount of property re- gently purchased in the industrial sec ton of Alabama have been filed in the probate office ani other steps taken looking to the consummation of plans formulated some time back. The first matter receiving attention Is that of water and big lake is to be con- structed, a pond to hold millions of gallons of water, through which the problem that has been a disturbing element for years will be solved. Pres ident Crawford of the Tennessee Com pany. who is easily reached, will make no definite statements though he inti- mates that plans have been drawn that when carried out will put the company in a better earning position than ever before.
 The announcement that the Ameri- can Radiator Company. by reasons of getting concessions from railroads, will build a big plant here, one that will give employment to several hun dred men and will consume a large oauntitv of iron per annum, gives en-