The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-18
RUSH SHIPMENTS ASKED FOR LOCAL
 IRON AND STEEL
Fly R. F. JOHNSTON

Outstanding feature of the indus trials is order for prompt shipment. This stands for hand to mouth buy ing, but it also is accepted by the vari- ous interests as also showing that stocks of all kinds on consumers yards are low.
 The order for rush shipment is the same with regard to pig iron, steel pro- ducts and coke The usual pig iron or der is for a car lot, but it is wanted now. The average coke order is for a car lot, but it is desired at once. Or ders received at steel works are for ai- most every kind of product manufac- tured there and in small quantities, but : they are also Of the rush order.
 One independent steel mill booked twice as much tonnage the first 15 days of of April as in the same time in March. The total tonnage was not large, but shows decided improvement
 Car lots of pig iron still bring $35. Lots larger than that sell under the base, and the one large order booked last week ~ reported in trade journals to have peen placed at $23.
 BIG PIPE BIDDINGS
 The large water pipe concerns have not yet appeared in the market but are expected at any time. Some big pipe biddings were received last week, not ably at Detroit, which wahts over 16,OoO tons. Cleveland, O., wishes 3001 tons and National Pipe is reported as low bidder on 1000 tons for Akron Black Foot Idaho, is out for 1,20o tons. A Western inquiry is for five miles of 24-inch pipe
 The nominal scale of $55 for high pres sure pipe is nominal only, and decid- edly lower one is expected to follow spir- ited bidding on the big business that is being offered This also points to im- minence of negotiations between pipe and furnace interests for large tonnages of iron.
 Standard foundry coke has been selling at as low as $7, which is 50 per cent un- der the war price.
 COAL PRODUCTION
 Coal production is under 20o00o tons per week compared with a normal of 300, QUO, and one of 325, ,000 at turn of the year. Retail yards are asking for domestic coal to fill their bins for next winter, but so little steam coal is being mined that very little lump is available.
 Purchase of run of mine coal for hot air furnaces has been suggested as Of mutual benefit to the coal operators and the householder It is argued that, if present low production continues much longer, the inevitable revival of demanu toward autumn will find coal scarce, high and slow in delivery
 Birmingham shippers have already be- gun use of the 20 per cent freight sap ing from New York to Birmingham en- abled by shipping by Mallory steamship line and thence up the Warrior to Port of Birmingham The new rates went into effect April 3. The next boat out of New York will bring several consign- ments for Birmingham merchants.
 PACIFIC COAST SHIPMENTS
 First consignment of Pacific coast pro- duets from Birmingham via Mobile and the Warrior has been made and the movement will grow as the facilities be- come known. A local merchant has or dered California catsup and cocoa. which he will receive at freight rate of S1.4215, Los Angeles to Birmingham, via vessel out of Los Angeles and to Mobile, thence by barge up the Warrior
 The saving in freight rate. is 621a cents per 100 pounds. or almost 90 per cent