Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-20
WAR CROND|NG Up
IMPLEMENT PRICES
MANUFACTURERS ADVANCING
QUOTATIONS BECAUSE OF
SCARCITY or METALS.
FURTHER ADVANCES LIKELY
IF THE WAR CONTINUES
Makers of Implements and Tools Feel
the Effect Of the War Demand For
Metal Of All Kinds Used For War
Munitions--some Instances Of linus
5uaI Price Advances.

Agricultural implements and farming
tools of practically all kinds will prob
ably cost the retailer and consumer
more this year than they did last. That
is, one more local effect of the war.
II the war continues well into this year
it is predicted that the advance in the
price of these implements and tools
will be very marked
The reason is that the manufacturers
of implements and tools are feeling the
effect of the war demand for metals of
all kinds. This demand has forced up
the price for these raw materials, and
all manufacturers of metal products
are advancing their prices.
Prices on Up Trend.
Notices of advances in prices of all
sorts of agricultural implements have
been sent to the wholesale trade by
many implement manufacturers. They
precinct still further advances if the
war continues. 1t is said to be the
practice of wholesalers Of implements
that they purchase their stocks year
in advance on contract for years
supply. And, althO, it is said that this
years supplies have been contracted
for at no advance in prices. yet it is
admitted that the wholesalers price
to the retailer will follow the trend
of the manufacturers prices and the
retailer is expected, naturally, to add
the increase to his price.
Metal Market Hits Tools.
Such a large part of agricultural inn
PIGMENTS and tools are made of meta.
that the implement manufacturers
have been very seriously affected by
the metal shortage So much metal is
being converted into munitions of war
that not only has the supply become
limited but the prices have advanced
abnormally. t a
Only those who are engaged in the
metal trade are aware of the extreme
conditions that exist. Galvanized
metals, for instance, and especially
sheet metal, have gone out of sight-in
price. IS This is because chiefly of the
galvanized coating, the base of which
is zinc.
Other instances are pointed out Of
the increase in price of other metals
especially brases Of which copper is the
base, becauseeof the tremendous de-
mand for copper for cartridges and
shells.
Steel Worth $3.50 Per Pound.
Still another example, of the advance
in metal prices is seen in the case of a
certain kind Of tool steel-steel Of un-
usual hardness used for machine TOOLS
Such steel was selling for 10 to IL
cents a pound when the war broke out.
1t advanced by successive stages to
$3.50, 50. and even $3.50 a pound. This
almost puts it among the precious
metals.
The situation has developed some
most unusual efforts to procure raw
material. An example is the instance
of large eastern manufacturer Of
brass products. He is soliciting all his
trade connections for scrap brass that
he will accept in lots of fifty pounds
or more at the highest market price.
Large users Of steel, including one
of the largest makers of automobiles,
are using the same means to get steel.
They are offering to accept shipments
of scrap steel In lots of 500 pounds or
more at the highest prevailing price.