The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-26
STABILITY OF IRON.
 MARKET IS SHOWN
 BY ADVANCE SALES
Iron Makers Consider Pur- chase of Iron for 1921 De- livery Highly Signifi-
 cant of Strength

Stability of the southern iron market was indicated during the past week by sales of pig iron for 1921 delivery.
 Not a large tonnage of 1921 iron was booked, but in the one instance the consumer purchased for delivery during the first half of the year.
 Purchasing pig iron year ahead at SAP per ton is regarded as highly sig nificant of the strength of the trade and the conviction that the consumers have of the demands that will be made on pig iron and steel production dur ing the next year.
 Cincinnati and Chicago markets have been large purchasers of Bir- mingham iron, and New England per sists in patronage of the Birmingham furnaces, getting the metal by steam ship through Savannah.
 There were number of sales Of 1, oo0-ton lots. One of the largest foun- dry iron makers said:
 we sold more iron during the first half of July than in all of June. we are receiving many inquiries for 1921 and have sold small tonnage for that delivery, one customer ordering hls first half requirements. We consider selling iron at s42, year ahead, very significant
 MARKET IS STRONG
 Another large foundry producer said: I've have sold more iron much more iron in July than in June and the market is strong. We have sold a small tonnage into 1921 and that business being now opening up we shall probably book for 1921 straight along"
 All Birmingham stacks have pulled through the car shortage without banking or blowing out. In face oi the car shortage and the coal car pri- .ority order, this is considered re- markable achievement. It is not be- lfeyed it could have been done except for the propinquity of raw materials and their short distance from the fur naces. An average haul of 25 miles does the assembling in the Birmirtg ham district
 The coke situation is almost acute The lowest price for foundry coke IS ly~ eAflg rnO at s1e. A foundry interest was still striving on Saturday to secure suffi- cient supply of coke with which to re sume operations in an idle plant. All the steel mills in the district are working at as near maximum as labor efficiency allows. That is still under normal and output suffers IT consequence.
 Finished iron and steel products con- tnue to pile on yards.
 MOVEMENT OF PIPE Pipe plants have also continued in operation, although with some difficulty here and there. There will De a movement of 1000 tons of water and gas pipe from Birmingham shops to the Pacific coast by vessel out of Mo- bile in the next two or three weeks. The cast iron pipe price schedule re mains at s73 for four inches and $7c for six inches and upwards. Orders for municipalities have been held UT in a number of instances on account of difficulties in disposing of bonds. An enameling plant is headed te Birmingham, and definite announce ment of it's location in the near future l is expected.
 Coal production showed an in crease of 10000 tons in the last weekly report and indications point to con ! tinued improvement in the production | Domestic mines have begun Issumins and taken steps to dispose of th' 1 strike by repossessing themselves O | the houses occupied by the strikers.