The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-07
By RICHARD F. JOHNSTON

Hard to tell where to begin story of the big events in the iron and steel trades coming to the fore last week. Most pronounced feature of the Bir- mingham iron market Is state of stocks on yards of producers They , have reached lowest ebb of record. Total ot all kinds of iron on hand May I was so, 900 tons of which only approximately 43,o00 tons was foundry | Iron for the market. Adding the machine cast merchant iron approx mated 60.000 tons
 Stocks May 1 compared with 160,- 900 tons January 1. The outflow from yards has been approximately so, 900 tons this year.
 Only one manufacturer has more than 5,000 tons on yards. The supply IS negligible.
 Week closed at market of s17.50 minimum and three makers out of market altogether. One maker sold 15, 900 tons at s175o in a week, An other booked 15,000 tons of basic at $1750 The total basic ordered by western makers on account of press ing needs Is 300o0.
 Big Iron Order
 The Tennessee company booked 50,- 900 tons for the United States Pipe company for Alabama plants. United States Pipe will need all that and more. Sample of pipe business being booked is the 5000 tons of 48-inch pipe booked by United States Pipe last week
 Steel situation Is equally strong. T. IC. I. continues double turn this week at rail- tie-plants and structural mills, Bessemer guide, bar and roll ing mills, Ensley blooming mill with steel production mill on full turn.
 Steel Products Active
 All structural steel mills are busy. Welded steel products are in avid demand. Some attractive export bus mess in both these fields is looking !. his way. Steel hoop and band market is also strong and local mills are busy. Wire drawing mills continue at approximately 75 per cent with prices firm and tendencies to advance
 Pipe Market Strong
 Pipe market is a hundred per cent good. Sanitary pipe market Is in runaway mood Central Foundry has advance recent base of s45 to $50 Shops are on full turn and most of them booked to capacity so days ahead An instatiable demand has developed. Some makers are out Of market while entire country clam ors for more
 Schedule of some pressure pipe let 1ings last week follow: United States Pipe company booked 5000 tons for Atlanta 1,200 tons for Akron, O., 500 tons for Bay City, Mich, 200 tons for willoughby, O.. and $50 tons for gas pipe for Chicago.
 Central Foundry booked 1,1oo tons for Detroit. Hammond Byrd Iron company booked 160 tons for Fort Wayne. Ind. Latter firm Is booking for Standard Foundry company, which has taken over and will manufacture pressure pipe at idle plant of Lynch burg Foundry at Anniston. One pres sure pipe maker Is out of the market for present. Base remains at ss5.
 Coke Very Firm
 Coke is as stiff as q cats back and is going further and further afield as scarcity of the article follows strike in the east. Middle and far western points are taking quantities Base is firm at s5.50 and would be more but for conservative attitude of makers.
 Coal production remains at 275o tons week following s25ooo tons a week prior to the strike when com sumers loaded up. There is tentative business with distressed fields not always taking Alabama coal, but little of this has eventuated.
 Conl Terminal
 Interesting event of the week will be test of the completed federal coal terminal at Mobile Formal test will be made Thursday If it is satisfac- tory the terminal will be 'henceforth at Alabama's service for extension of bunker and export coal business. The terminal has a capacity of 10000 tons.
 Pre-Cast Highways
 Much interest is manifested in the coming test of, the pre-cast concrete slabs for roadmaking devised and patented by A. T. Newell. the con tractor They are 10 feet long by six feet and seven and e-half