The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-26
Dy RICHARD F. JOHNSTON

Tennessee company will this week produce as near 100 per cent of steel as can be attained
 The steel production end of the company's operations is on 100 per cent schedule this week. Eight of the nine open hearth furnaces will operate. Nine will if that shoul4 prove feasible.
 The No. { furnace at Ensley was filled last week and may be burning out big iron some time today or to- morrow.
 The rail mill at Ensley, which has been rolling 5000 tons for two weeks goes on 10, o00-ton schedule this week. The s,o6o-ton schedule was proceeded by one that averaged 5000 tons. The increase from 5000 to 1o,- 900 tons is 20 per cent and the in crease from 5000 to 10000 is 70 per cent
 The reason for the resumption Of the bis blast furnace and the going to 100 per cent schedule in the ingot mill reflects the increase of opera ticns in the finishing mills. one ex ample of which is that of the rail mill just cited.
 Pig iron is stronger than since the slump began more than year ago One iron maker withdrew from the market for more March business be- cause it found itself booked to capac- ity for March delivery and its yard stocks gone. It could not take on another ton for March delivery, ex- cept by favoring the newcomers at the cxrense Of customer already booked.
 Booked to Capacity
 Another iron maker found itself booked for March delivery practically to March makes capacity and it is about to turn down any additional orders for prompt delivery.
 One maker turned down a dozen offers Saturday because they were for prompt delivery and it could not de- liver. The inquiry is from every where. The clamor for small lots of iron for prompt delivery is becom- ing n loud and strenuous one" said one maker.
 Strong Coke Demand
 Coke makers were borrowing coke from one another last week to fill the orders that were rushing in. One by-product coke maker, who is at 100 per cent, borrowed from beehive coke operators. Toward close Of week the beehive markers had to re- fuse this left hand bushes on ac- count of the urgent demand from their own customers Coke was go- ing during the week to Illinois, Kan sas and Pacific coast in addition to all over the south. Prices were not advanced, the scale remaining at $5,
 Pipe In Demand
 High pressure pipe is in strong de- mand. National Cast booked 600 tons for Grove City, Ohio, and 175 tons for Fairfax, Okla, following recent booking of l 200 for St. Paul and 1000 for Port Arthur. Texas. . American Cast booked 500 for Minneapolis. United States Cast booked 5000 tons for Chicago gas following 2,0oo tons for Portland. Ore, and numerous other orders.
 National and American companies are close to full operations and Unit ed States Cast is adding to opera tions at its two plants in the district. Base price SsS.
 Sanitary pipe still hangs fire, but makers are not worrying because they sense an absolute certainty of a large demand with the early opening or the active building season. Stocl.ham Pipe & Fitting company. largest nlak- ,ers of pipe fitting in the south, are at about so per cent.
 Bie Demand for Cement
 Cement makers reported this week "every indication of a demand for cement in the south this year that will more than tax the capacity or southern cement mills" These mills arc assured of capacity operations during the entire year.
 Birmingham Water Works com pany, which spent ss0o,ooo on im- provement and extension of service lass year. will spend another s50o,o0 this year Details will be found in Another column.
 Brick makers are already at 50 per cent of capacity, which is above nor nal for this time of year and orders came on during the week at g rate