The New York herald., 1922-02-19
Coke Is Stiffer.

SOAC ~
There has been a further stiffening in
tho coke market in the last week, a de-
cidedly greater stiffening than would
be indicated merely by reference to
rrices quotable in the spot market. The
price range is approximately the same
rs that of week ago, but sales made
run more to higher figures in the range
quoted. There is no particular improve
rnent in furnace coke, but in foundry
coke there is very decided increase in
demand For ordinary standard fur
mace coke. slightly lower prices are
going, but nothing as low as s2.75. which
was possible a fortnight ago. Spot
foundry coke remains quotablc at a
general range of soT5 to s4.25. as for
many weeks past
There have been no crucial develop
r'ents in the last week in the Pittsburgh
coal district regarding a wage scale.
although 1t is believed in the steel in
dustry that the United Mine Workers
union will instruct their men not to
work unless a scale be ratified by the
l'nion officials. ii is also felt that many
or the men will disregard that order
and go to work Fears OF a miners
strike seem to be dwindling In this
district and so far are having no
effect on the industrial situation.
Specifications in sheet orders for rush
shipment are being received here I'm
great abundance. Galvanized and black
sheets continue In fair demand from
widespread sources OF consumption.
numerous distributors and diversified
lines. Approximately 75 TO 80 per cent.
o, such orders are for quick shipment.
clearly indicating that stocks generally
are low. In Pittsburgh and vicinity
more OF a tendency to order for forward
delivery appears, so that makers are
encouraged.
Sheet prices continue firm and
although an occasional warehouse or
mill stock of limited proportions has 70
be made and concessions are made that
cash may be obtained. the market on
production sheets continues firm at
cents for black sheets and cents for
galvanized. Efforts 70 develop lower
price than 4.35 cents, base Pittsburgh.
on full finished automobile sheets like
wise have failed although tonnages up
60 5000 tons have been offered large
makers here and elsewhere with the idea
or tempting them to quote lower figures.
AS to blue annealed sheets. the regular
market of which is 2.25 cents. the price
is well maintained on lighter gauges and
lower price is obtainable sometimes on
heavier than 12 gauge The sheet In
drstry Is running about so per cent. OF
All Improvement III tnctlS LOT
building material has been noticed.
Tin Plate Doing Wen.
The tin plate industry Is doing re-
r1arkably well, maintaining an average
operating rate OF 65 to 20 per cent. OF
capacity. February Is usually dull
month from the standpoint of tin mill
operations. and. therefore. the rate Is
considered moro than satisfactory. New
buying for future delivery is more or
less limited although shipments on con
tracts continue to be made at splendid
rate. Large can makers still are fur
nishing specifications freely. as they
have been for the past two or three
'nonths. in anticipation OF good year
~ food packing. New spot buying con-
finues In fair rate in lots OF one carload
~ i've carloads at q time and sales for
slightly larger amounts are noted
occasionally. Individual cases OF 100
rer cent. operations arc increasing with
The engagement OF six additional mills
by the McKeesport Tin Plate Company
ell IT'S forty-four mills being in opera
ton. The Standard Tin Plate Company
= operating all its twenty-four mills
The base price OF s4.75 q 10O-pound box
s. being strictly held by the leading
interests and tho Independents.
Sales OF hoops and bands continue lin
tied. buyers taking only what they must
havc. Occasionally q carload Of hoops
is purchased for cooperage purposes. al
though some less than carload specifica-
tiNns are received. The same thing an
plies 20 bands. buyers furnishing bar
specifications including some band sizes.
lsands still are being sold on a bar
basis. however. with bar extras figuring
out TO n i.70 10 LIS cent Pittsburgh
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