The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-24
By RICHARD F. JOHNSON

By RICHARD F. JOHNSON
 New business Is not equal to ship ments, but shipments continue equal to the record-breaking production. There are no cancellations and sus- pensions. While some declines have occurred in prices in spotted way no new low levels have been re- oently recorded.
 This leads to tho presumption et an early buying movement in order to secure autumn and winter sup plies. Production is well cared for. A trade journal says: Railroad con sumption of steel has not been equal ed in years. All the leading rail mills are booked to capacity through present year and one important in- lerest Is filled through February of next year on present base of oper- ations."
 Outstanding orders for freight cars total 9S,421, besides $500 private owned refrigerator cars. Locomotives on order books total 2,041. This Is tremendous backlog and assures brisk operations for many months to come.
 Iron Market Flurry.
 Birmingham iron market thrown into a furry early in the week by the action of a one- furnace interest in selling iron at $25. None of the other makers would budge from the s27 base and one-furnace produo- ton Is not sufficient to name prices Two Alabama makers arc booked to capacity until October 1 and none have very much iron to sell in that period. General expectation during the week was for an early buying movement Current business Is for small lots at $27 for prompt delivery.
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 Pressure Pipe continuously boos up with renewed energy in spite of the heavy bookings. Tho American Cast Iron company recently booked 600 tons for Sidney, O., 631 tons for Seattle and 150 tons for Alliance, U. The United States Pipe has taken 300 tons for Woodward, Okla. and t0o tons for Dayton, o.
 McWane Cast Iron Pipe company is extending It's district agencies. It has opened one for the southwest and Mexico at Dallas, with J. L. Johnson in charge. Tho McWane pressure pipe plant began operations in March, 1922. and has grown stead fly since. The shipments have been throughout this country and export. Honolulu has taken considerable
 Sloss- Sheffield continues operation Of It's seven active blast furnaces, the Cole furnace at Sheffield having made its first run on schedule time last Monday.
 Pensacola Gets Busy.
 Operators of the Pensacola and Pacific Steamship line. which was recently established, are so pleased with results that a second ship has been put on and there will Do two sailings a month to and from Pacific
 Ina H loading with several thousand tons of Birmingham pipe and other iron and steel products for Pacific coast points as the first did and all others expect to do. Thus the line was in stituted to get share or the tre- mendous business done with tho "a, cific coast by Birmingham iron and steel mills.
 Wage Advances.
 Two wage increases sffectins large numbers of men were announced during the week.. The three thous- and shopmen employed by the Louis vile and Nashville in Alabama will receive an advance of two cents an hour effective June 1 and the Sloss- Sheffield Steel and Iron company announces advance of wages of red ore workers and quarrymen effec- tive July l. The latter raise is for equalization of wages with scales that are paid other crafts by the company.
 Sugar House Machinery.
 Cuba is beginning to send orders for sugar house machinery to Bir- so far. but they indicate the re- covery and are believed to be fore runners of larger jobs later on. The Birmingham Machine and Foundry company is making 20 carriers for Cuban sugar houses, special ma chine used in modern mills. This Is understood to be 8 rush order. This company Is successfully operating US new sanitary pipe shop.
 Sanitary Pipe awissle.."
 Sanitary pipe has ralled somewhat from It's recent pronounced inactiv- ity, but the base of $7o Is not al- be cut g to s3 a ton when neces- sary to get business. Both tho east and the south have shown moro in- terest in the market recently.
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 Over Alabama.
 ested in the prospect of water power. The Alabama Power company Is making surveys as far south as Greenvi1lo with a view to installa- tion of power lines that will carry power to that section.
 An event of much interest last week was tho opening of the new knitting mill of Cooper. Wells & Co.,. at Albany-Decatur. This event Is regarded with moro significance be- cause the company. which Is a large Michigan concern. experimented in a small way before it decided to es- tablish itself permanently and in a large way.
 City of Tuscaloosa voted 35oo.ooo of bonds for school purposes last week and the proceeds will be at once ex- pended in buildin new high school and grammar schools.
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 1T, A, c. Line Improvements.
 The T. A. G. line has been the lay ing of S0-pound rails between Gads- den and Chattanooga pending the building of line connecting with the Seaboard Air Line and affording 1t an inlet into Birmingham.
 Interest is felt in the proposal to develop the asphalt deposits of Nor gan county. A strong Kentucky firm has undertaken this work. For