New-York tribune., 1919-11-09
Labor Troubles
Restrict Activity
OF Metal Markets
Slump in Export Demand
for Zinc; Lead Market Is
Strong, but Copper STAYS
Dull

consumers of copper, lead, zinc and
Nne oeher non-ferrous metals are for
the most part holding out of the mar
ket and apparently are not inclined to
cover moro than their actual require
ments for the near future until the
labor crisis has passed. Some of
them, however. who have been waiting
for weeks. have been forced into the
market, and are making moderate pur-
chases
The export demand which sustained
the zinc market during the period of a
month or six weeks, according to the
Daily Iron Trade" when neither gal
vanizers nor brass mills showed inter
est. has slumped somewhat However.
producers show little inclination to sell
and sentiment is rather bullish.
Anaconda Resumes
Dealers have not been active buyers
recently. Prime Western zinc prices
stiffened to 7.7Oc, East st. Louis. for
Shipment this year. High grade zinc
50 50 fairly freely at S.o7lac to s.5oc
ing Company has resumed partial oner-
stions in its electrolytic zinc plant at
Great Falls. Mont, the strike there
having been settled, but labor troubles
continue in effect at three or four
smelters. Japan is reported to have
been heavy buyer of zinc, while
England and France took substantial
tonnages recently.
The return Of many Of the striking
Daily Iron Trade" has enabled the
delivery of tin from several of the
ships now in port and the temporary
shortage of spot tin here has been re-
heved, with consequent reduction in
the price of spot tin Recently spot
Straits tin sold as high as Sic when
tin was tied up tight on the docks, but
on Thursday spot Straits tin sold at
Sac. while Straits tin on dock was held
lures also strengthened, both here and
N London. after a rather erratic move
ment. Straits tin for November and
December from Singapore and also
from London was quoted 53.75c to 54c
on Thursday. Spot SO per cent tin
was quoted 53.25c to 53.50c.'
The lead market retained its
strength Of the previous week, with
continued good demand from consum-
srs; Paint, plumbing supply. shot
and storage battery makers all are
active. Demand from the storage
battery trade seems Unsuitable. Many
automobiles are being equipped with
batteries which heretofore were not
so equipped, and the filling of the frst
demand is taking an abnormal supply
of lead. There also will be steady
replacement demand for lead for this
purpose. the average life of the bat
cry being about three years. Some
ow prices were mentioned for lead
ny various brokers, but actually it
was difficult to get lead at any price
The leading producer continued to
quote 6.75c New York. 6.50c East St.
Louis, but outside sellers took bust
ness at &c New York, and the outside
price at East ST. Louis was 67Oc to
f75c
Copper Dull.
The copper market remained dull.
Neither brass mills nor wire drawers
IRE buying heavily. Leading producers
and selling agencies now are compet-
ng actively for business and meet
ng the quotations Of second hands
Electrolytic was obtainable at 2lc.
and possibly shade less from second
hands, while large sellers went as
ow as 21.25c. A little export business
S being done right along by the Cop
Der Export Association, but the bulk
continues to hang fire. Producers be-
ieve the ratification of the peace
-reaty, which may take place within
he next two weeks, will open the
way for financial arrangements and
will enable European consumers to