The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-10-14
IRON PRODUCTION. !, SHOWSA DECLINE
Birmingham District, How ever, Maintains Output and
 Prices Remain Firm

Pig iron production in the United States on october l was at the rate of 5o,1oo tons day less than on September l. according to figures compiled from reports received by the Iron Age. On the latter date there were 1s2 active furnaces compared with 265 on Septem- Der l. net loss of 103.
 The steel strike, while it did not af- feet the Alabama iron and steel inter- ests, caused the suspension of work at large number of furnaces in the north and east
 Despite the decreased production during the last week of September the output for that month exceeded the pro- auction in July by a few thousand tons, but was so1.Ss4 tons under that of Au- gust.
 Reviewing market conditions for the week ended October $, the Iron Age says:
 With the back of the strike broken, chief interest Is centered in conditions which the industry now faces Return to normal operations will be slow. and With the shifting of labor that has been going on and aggravated losses by emigration, the market for some months will definitely belong to the seller.
 Large producers are expected to hold downrprices. Increasing demand is de- veloping for next years needs. but lit- tie success is had in securing bookings. Premiums are freely offered for prompt shipment. No cancellations have been received even by mills totally idle, and the strike shutdowns will force con- siderable 1919 business into 1920
 Pig iron production in September, 2,441,554 tons, while 301,S34 tons less than that of the 31-day month of. Au- gust was larger than July's output of 2.42S,541 tons. The daily average make was Sl,3S5. Ss,496 and 7S,340 tons for September. August and July, respec- lively The effect of the strike is shown in a net loss of 103 furnaces on the active list. Most of them were banked. as October came in, but many are now in operation. Against a rated furnaces active September 1, the rate of production of the 1s2 furnaces in blast on October l was only 50 100 tons indicating to how large an extent the larger furnaces were crippled.
 Activity in foundry iron stands out in the week. Southern prices at the new level of BPS are strong and else
 
 been paid for early shipment
 Railroad inquiries for rails for next year indicate preparation for the ex- pected reversion to private ownership
 "In view of the sustained heavy de- mand, it is encouraging that Pittsburg sheet mills are operating at 70 per, cent of capacity
 As high as 2.7oc, Pittsburg basis, has been paid for early shipments of steel bars and 1000 tons of plate for Janau has been placed at 2.65c.
 "Iron and steel exports for August were 25 per cent greater in value than those of July, and the tonnage, 396,69 tons, is 38 per cent above that of July. August's machinery exports reflected an increased valuation of $4,O00, 900 over those of July.
 Of the Birmingham iron and steel market manufacturing conditions, the Iron Age says:
 "The iron market is firm at $2S for the rest of the year and consumers are willing to pay s29 for 1920 commit ments, but makers are holding off from 1920 business. Furnace interests are playing a conservative game both in expectancy of higher levels for 1920 and because many southern consumers, owing to scarcity of labor, will have some 1919 metal left over. Two inter ests are entirely off the market. Much spot business, both domestic and for eign. could be done If spot metal were obtainable Inquiry is quite brisk. One large interest did large weeks busi- ness One sale of 4000 tons for the rest of the year for a company with plants in middle west and south before made. No iron stock is effected by the strike, and 2s are operating at maximum ca pacity except for occasional shortage of