The New York herald., 1921-09-18

the indications are for a greater demand
coming into the market. Consumption
Is believed to be increasing slowly. while
stocks are nearly all, II not quite, ex-
hausted, and the little buying Of late
was not sufficient to take the buyers out
of the market for any length of time.
The Valley market is firm at quotations
recently ruling. $40 for Bessemer, $19
for basic and $21 for foundry. I. o. b..
furnace. On basic the usual asking
price is $50.
Coke Market stiff in Tone.
The coke market continues to exhibit
a much sitter tone than for some time
The spot market jumped from So to $3.25
In furnace coke. and from 81 to $4.25
in foundry coke. To-day some opera
tors quote $3.50 on spot coke, but they
do not seem to be effecting any sales
Inquiry for spot foundry coke Is much
improved. aSThe minimum seems to be
S4.25 to the consumer, with some fav-
orite brands commanding $3.50. Some
sellers of coke are suggesting to their
customers the advisability OF buying
stock within the next few weeks against
possible transportation difficulties when
the bad weather comes. as with cars and
locomotives in the condition they are
they may not be able to cope with the
weather conditions expected this winter.
Keen competition continues in the
plate market In this district, owing to
there being little business going. Prices
during the last two weeks have weak
ened somewhat, and the range on this
commodity now has broadened. While
a few makers continue to quote 1850.
Pittsburgh this figure is being shaded
in all directions, and any bona fide busl-
- la., IL
from 1.60c. to 1.7Oc., Pittsburgh. Prices
are running Wild, and quotations seem
to depend upon the anxiety of the maker
to take on tonnage.
Little tonnage Is coming out in the
merchant steel bar market. despite the
fact that attractive quotations are being
made. Some makers continue to name
1.T0c.. Pittsburgh, on what few inquiries
appear, but after a general survey of
the market figure of 1.65c., Pittsburgh,
more nearly represents sales of this ma
terial. The soft steel bar market to-day
is quotable from Lose. to 1.70c., Pitts
burgh. Lower quotations than the min
imum are heard, but facts are lacking
which would substantiate these rumors
Refined iron bar makers still report
duness In their line. Operation OF
crucible plants still is low, and for this
reason few low phosphorus melting bars
are moving. On what small shipments
are being made the price of &C. still ap-
plies. Muck bars of refined quality still
are quotable at 3.50c.. Pittsburgh, al
though one maker of this grade is sub
mitting 2.25c. on carload and 2.40c. on
lesser quantities.
Dullness In the cold finished steel bar
market still prevails, but there Is a
better feeling among the trade. Maxi
org hos .
tered sections of the country. although
quotations submitted on these have re-
suited in but little business. Quotations
on cold drawn have centred around
2.40c, Pittsburgh.
Sheet Prices Keep Up.
Prices of all grades of sheets are be-
ing we'll maintained in this district al
though some buyers are endeavoring to
cover on large requirements at more
satisfactory figures. A buyer offered to
place about 5000 tons of black and
galvanized sheets II the mill would
quote him price under 2.75c. for the
former and 3.75c for the latter grade.
fgsis the mill declined to do, and this
tonnage Is still being sought. What
sSyw orers do come out are confined to
.sa~soad lots.
The demand for fine finished sheets has
reccded somewhat, leaving about two
companies in the field which are show
ing the same amount of interest in their
purchases that they have been doing
right along. A large buyer in the De-
troit district Is figuring on placing his
requirement for next month, and II Is
understood that the tonnage involved
VIII be on the same basis as was deliv-
cred to him during August. Automobile
sheets still arc quotable at 4.70c., Pitts
burgh. for No. 22 gauge.
There has been no rround lost in the
tin plate trade. demand being on about
the same level as for several weeks.
BUSINESS coming out. however Is only
that desired for immediate shipment,
and prices continue frm at $5.25 a base
box. Pittsburgh. Stock plate can be hal
at s4.75 for carloads or more. and while
$3.50 Is heard OF IL does not develop
that any sales are being made at that
figure. The leading interest Is operat-
ing better than so per cent of capacity
while some OF the Independents are op-
Grating at over so per cent. In some
GASES hot mill schedules arc avera r,rg
&C b-T cent. Or above One order last
week embraced $4,000 boxes of produce
ton plate.
Both export and domestic demand for
steel pipe Is current. Prices OF standard
pipe are being well maintained. and Job
bcrs appear to be absorbing fair ton
nages. The demand for line pipe and
gas pipe is also good. Oil country goods
still are being purchased In fair auan-
tity. although prices for this grade are