The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-01
BETTER TIMES AHEAD
SOUTHERN PIC IRON HSANUFAC-
 TURERs OPTIMISTIC.
There Is Some Satisfaction that First Month of Year has PaEsed-s February Starts With
 Bright Prospects,.

Birmingham, Jan, Sl--(Special.l- Better times ahead.
 That's the story. and the Southern Pig Iron Manufacturers believe there will be an mediate realization there of There is some satisfaction that the first month of the year Is thing of the past, though the aggregate business equals the make, and Febru- ary starts in with the prospects bright. There has been another rengthening in quotations and SIS per ton. No. foundry, is being ask ed on all sides. The make is holding it's own in this district. The blowing out of one furnace at Ensley is fol= lowed by the blowing In of another iron-maker to take it's place. There Is 8 steady. shipment of pig iron from this district.
 Several consumers of iron, as well as brokers and dealers fin the pro duct, were in the district during the past week looking around. making in- quiries as to the probable conditions in the future and talking considerah- l ly There was no business of any con- sequence placed, in fact none at all and the visitors did not speak as if | they intended placing any business for | while yet beyond their immediate needs. "Why buy iron when there is chance of getting it cheaper than at present" is the way one or two of the men put in, having reference to the agitation as to the tariH on iron. If there is Q reduction in tariff on iron," said a foundryman from New ark, ''Iron can be brought from Eng land at a lower price than the Alaba- ma product can be delivered to us. notwi tn standing iron is made cheaper | In the South than the English pro- duct" This same interest asserted | that the Alabama iron was a better product than the foreign iron. but he did not abstain from the sentiment of wanting the cheapest iron possible.
 The home consumption is holding up nicely The cast iron pipe plants are doing well. The soil pipe plants are selling their product right along The Tennessee Company have their Bessemer rolling mills in operation and the steel plant at Elnaley is prac. tically in full operation also The foundries and machine shops of the Birmingham district report a better business, some noce orders having re- gently been received. The Hardie- Tynes Machine Company has sent out engines in the last few days to Port land, ore, and Spokane. Wash, while some excellent local orders have beer placed. A
 Cast> iron and soil pipe plants 1T Alabama have orders in hand whicl are to keep them busy for some tint with Indications of a further trad' in a short time.
 There are four furnaces in the Bir mingham district which can be got ten in shape for operation in feV days. The make is not to be increas ed, however. until the demand has ta ken on considerable Improvement There is plenty Of raw material accu mulated to protect any advance in tn production that might come on. Bou ore and coke has been stocked great quantity throughout the dis trict and 1t Is so placed that 1t cal be moved to the furnaces on yer short notice. This stock Is not con sidered dead stock at ali.
 Some inroads are being made Int ' the stacks of pig iron to be seen a furnaces in the immediate distrlcl This accumulated iron belongs ! brokers who are now beginning place it. having purchased it. seFers months ago. Al The transportation facilities In tn
 iron and steel section of the stat
 are first class in every particula. [ fthe railroad officials keeping tnel , word as to furnishing all asslstahc 3 that could be asked for.
 Work has been started on DE Ao