New Britain herald., 1919-09-19
PIG IRON AND
 STEEL MARKETS
The Iron Age says:

Although it is probable that con- servative influence in the labor world will prevail and that there will not be a general strike of iron and steel workers, the threatened suspension of work has been a disturbing fac tor in the market during the past week and still causes apprehension. A pleasing feature is the announced determination of unions having con- tracts with mills not to go on strike, and it Is assured that even if the radicals prevail, the operation of many plants will not be seriously dis turbed. It is possible that if the strike is declared off, workmen at some points may quit work, refusing to follow the advice of the conser- vative leaders.
 The net result of the agitation is that little buying has been done. The desire of consumers and distributors to secure material has been more pro- nounced than in the earlier talks of strike, but so has been the hesitancy of the producers to add to their com mitments.
 The demand for pig iron is not now active, and an Illinois foundry in quiry for about 10000 tons for de-
  thus gains prominence. Persistent re- ports of weakness of basic continue, and there is limited demand for all steel-making irons. Stove manufac- turers in the Central West are hav- ing difficulty in maintaining full op- eration on account of scarcity of holders. The demand for stoves in that part of the country is greater than the supply.
 In coke the needs of foundries coke are sufficiently urgent to force prices upward 25c and soc per ton, one late sale of 100 cars bringing $6 per net ton. In furnace coke swing in the opposite direction has taken place and prices for this quality have dropped sc per ton, growing largely out of the postponement of buying because of possible plant idleness resulting from a general strike.
 Structural steel awards continue in promising volume. A total of 27,5O0 tons involved in large projects has been closed. The tetal busin ess done in August was the best since July, 1918, 7S 1-2 per cent of the capacity of the bridge and structural shops of the country, or 141, 300 tons being put under contract
 No allocation has yet been made of the 100000 tons of rails which the railroad adminstrati ton, if is thought, will buy at this time. The Inland Steel Co.,. in anticipation of heavy rail orders next year, has commenced the construction of a rail nnill at Indiana Harbor. Meanwhile a Canadian mill is busy on 900 tons for American railroads.
 Io, 2.35c. Pittsburgh basis, forward book ings being refused until commitments are reduced. Most of the 2.50c bus mess closed is for extended delivery
 Coated wire nails have now joined the otherwise strong wire products group and on 1900 kegs s31O has been done or 25c above the regular market.
 On ship material the government has again obtained base quotations of 2.50c, Pittsburgh, for plates and 2.4Oc for shapes The former price is widely possible on attractive lots, but 2.45c is the general market for structural material Lake shipyards are figuring on boats which will take 40, ,OOO tons of plates. Plate mills are generally operating at 60 to 75 per cent of capacity, except in the East where they are making only hall their possible output.
 Buyers for oil well developm ents have been pressing to get covered oW- ing to the imminent sT0ppage of steel plants. Demand for oil ripe promises to last over at least two years.
 Tin plate makers, with stocks in consumers hands now well exhaust ed. look to having a banner year in 1920. The leading producer is about sold out for this year and is oper- atine at 95 per cent of capacity. Sheet mills tell a similar tale and buyers are seeking with little or no success to cover for the first quarter of next year. Black sheets have sold in the Central West for $3 above reg ular prices