The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
LARGE RAIL ORDERS
ARE BEING RECEIVED
February Business Making
Good Showing
A FURNACES ADDED
Exceptionally Good Showing Is Made
FURNACES ADDED
Exceptionally Good Showing Is Made
in Steel Tubes-Chicago Mills
Book About $4,000 Tons
of Car Material

Cleveland, O., February 1s.-(Spe-
ciaL 1.-The Iron Trade Review tomor-
row will say:
February business is making a good
showing in spite of the decrease in
buying of pig iron and finished mate
rials reported by many companies, as
noted last week New business of the
Steel corporation this month has
averaged more than $4,000 tons daily,
or 10000 daily more than the Janu-
ary average. The corporation is oper-
ating so per cent of its ingot capac-
ity and is gradually increasing its pig
iron production. adding four furnaces
to the active list this week.
An exceptionally good showing Is be-
ing made in steel tubes. The bookings
of the National Tube company for the
first half of this month are heavier
than those for the same period In jan
uary, which was the best month since
last August.
The postponement of the time for the
decision of the question of granting
higher rates to the railroads is not
disappointing to those who have real
ized for several weeks that it would
nerce commission to finish its inves-
tigation by March l. Nevertheless the
posfponement has emphasized the fact
that the railroads cannot be depended
upon to add greatly to the volume of
business this spring or summer. Prob
ably for prudential reasons efforts are
being made to prevent publicity con-
cerning some railroad buying which
has been done recently. Two orders for
1900 cars have been placed with west
ern makers. The Illinois Central has
placed 1880 tons OF rails with the
Tennessee company, which has also
taken 5000 tons from the St. Louis and
SaE Francisco.
Additional rail bookings by the Illi-
nois Steel company amounted to $4,000
tons.
Chicago mills have booked about
$4,000 tons of car material for cars
recently ordered. The American Car
and Foundry company ordered 10000
tons.
In steel making pig irons the prin-
cipal activity of the past week has
been in basic in eastern territory.
where the total sales of the recent
movement amounted to about $4,000
tons, a large part of which was taken
at advanced prices. A Harrisburg COM
pany divided $4,000 tons of basic at
fourth quarter delivered between two
makers. Another eastern buyer took
10000 tons for delivery over the next
three months A. Harrisburg buyer is
still inquiring for from 1000 to 5000
tons of basic. The Republic Iron and
steel company purchased $4,000 tons of
Bessemer from the Brier Hill Steel
company at S14.25 valley.
In foundry grades the purchase oil
10000 tons by the Westinghouse Elec-
trio and Manufacturing company has
aroused much interest. A significant
reature was that although the inquiry
called for second, third and fourth
quarter delivery furnaces declined to
sell for delivery beyond July l at prices
satisfactory to the buyer. The 10000
tons will be delivered before July l.
or this tonnage 5000 tons will be fur
rished by Cleveland furnaces on a basis
of about $3.50 delivered Cleveland for
No. foundry. and 1000 tons Will be
delivered to the Allegheny plant al
s14 to s1450 delivered. Some foundry
iron has been sold within few days
at $3.50 valley for No. 2.
The International Steam Pump COM
rary has distributed from 10000 to
I 1000 tons of various grades of which
Il considerable tonnage will come from
Buffalo furnaces.
New York February 1S.-(Special) )-Th'
Iron Age will say tomorrow:
Rolling mill operations are gradually
increasing and it is the general repcr
that consumers are specifying on thei
contracts at an unusually full rate, Iii
dicating that replenishment is continuou
and that some of it is urgent.
The Steel corporation, with It's Wild
diversity of products and its forelasl
trade. reports new bookings 10000 ton
dav moro in the first weeks O