The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-01

vance of 5O cents per ton with a good buying movement will certainly cause q resumption of operations at numoer of these idle furnaces. During the past month there has been an increased pro duction in the Birmingham district, and the country now apears to be producing iron at the rate of about 25.00O,O00 tons per annum, while the consumption ap- pears to be about the same. The great CT portion of this iron is going Into steel but it is doubtful whether there will be any increase in the consupmtion of steel for several months. as the rail- roads are continuing most conserva- tive policy in their purchasing, wnich is likely to prevail for some time, cer- tainly until after the presidential cleo tion. Summing up, we think there VIII be no material change for many months to come in pig iron. either as 10 con sumption production or price
 The close price at which iron and steel products are now being sold are reflected in the exports of iron and steel manu- factures for the fiscal year ending june 30, 1911 which aggregated S23o l3o,dol Tn value, against s179, 9,133, ,1S6 in 1910 and Sls3,- aS2, ,1S2 in 19O6 which was the former high record year. This export business shows a constant tendency to increase as prices decrease and is distributed among nearly all the important classes of iron and steel manufacturers, including machinery, wire, structural iron and steel builders hard ware and tools, locomotives. typewriters, pipes and fittings. and bars and rods. Ten years ago in 1901 the exports of iron and steel manufacturers amounted in round numbers to $117,00o.ooo; % years ago to s29 000, ,0OO and 30 years ago to $16,5ooCoc.
 Lumber Situation
 "wholesale lumber dealers advise us that there is no material change in the lumber situation in the larger cities, al- though in the smaller towns, which are directly supported by the agricultural in terests, business is very much better now than it was 30 days ago. A better demand Is looked for generally, as soon as farm products begin to move freely. The price of lumber is being we'll maintained, ana some grades show a slight increase ever the quotations of 50 days ago.
 Real estate men report more inquiries for property, with but little disposition on the part of owners to sell except at high figures. An urgent rental demand is noted for business property.
 The retail trade in some lines is re- ported as having been satisfactory dur ing the summer, although hardly equal as whole to that of 191O
 "Wholesale grocers report business as quiet at present and for the past few months, owing principally to like condl- tions in the iron and coal trades. They anticipate a good business during the fall and winter months, based on crops and improvement in the mining and manu- featuring lines local wholesale house states that prices in some lines of goods are higher than they have ever been be- fore. Sugar is higher today than for several years; coffee is right at the top; canned goods of every kind are scarce, and so are evaporated fruits. On the other hand, staple commodities, such as compound lard. rice and flour are held at reasonable prices. and no material advance is looked for during the re- mainder of the year
 Money continues plentiful at all the centers, and no marked advance in rates is expected on account of the crop move ment this fall. There is but little specu- lative spirit in the country and the ex- treme dullness in the New York stock market, together with the declining tend ency of prices there, has released large amount of money ordinarily employed in carrying stocks
 Congressional Investigations
 Congressional investigations of large corporations will be renewed this fall, and tariff agitation will begin again with the reassembling of Congress in Decem- Der. Nothing is looked for in the way of big business next year. which will be one of extreme political activity Tariff revision. however necessary. re- stricts commercial and manufacturing