The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-13
'STRONG ACTIVITY
 IN PIPE INDUSTRY
Iron Age Optimistic Over Outlook For Business Dur
 ing Coming Months


 Continuation of activity in the cast iron pipe industry is in prospect for 1924. according to the Iron Age, which reviews the prosperous period enjoyed by this industry during the past year. .. /
 Reference is made to the, sale of 100000 tons of cast iron pipe on the Pacific coast, mostly from Birming- ham plants, during the first half of the year.
 The Iron Age says:
 Cast iron pressure pipe has seen a year of more than usual activity in 1923, as was also 1922. A fair volume of demand from private water and gas companies was carried over from the previous month into January and calls for bids from many municipalities began to appear during the first month of the year. With many makers, January was 8 bigger month in point of tonnage shipped than January, 1922. By the end of February, many makers were booked ahead for from thee to four months on the smaller sizes of pipe and in the Chicago district, demand was declared by some sellers to be almost without parallel in the his- tory of the market. Duing this time, pINdI6 puCHdSlu6 udQ heavy and had been gadually sup plemented by the inceasing number and size tenders from municipalities.
 "It was claimed by some sellers into the New England district that more business had been accepted in that section than in any similar period in the history of the indus try. Deliveries on these orders, how ever were uncertain, as a result of ha tr1h PU the end of March a number of makers were booked ahead from four to five months on the smaller sizes. There was at this time some foreign in- quiry but foundries were so well supplied with domestic orders that most of it aroused but little interest. This situation was repeated at the end of September and early in Octo- Der when, as a result of the earth quake in Japan, a few feelers on prices of water pipe for immediate shipment aroused little or no re- sponse from makers, who were booked well toward the end of the year and unable to make the prompt shipments desired.
 Tt was estimated by some sellers that shipments to the Pacific coast alone, had totaled 100000 tons of pressure pipe during the first half of the year, largely from southern makers. The usual difficulty in ob- taining and holding labor was en- countered as warm weather set in and inability to obtain early delivery coupled with a declining pig irop market was doubtless the cause oc delay of purchase by many potential buyers. The southern pipe makers were probably more affected by the weakness of the pig iron market than the northern foundries.
 Some European competition was felt on the Pacific coast during the of pressure pipe for Los Angeles, Cal, being awarded to a French foundry at Ponta Mousson, at q price from $1 to $2 under the do- mestic bids, later Pasadena. Cal, plac- ing 1000 tons Y ith French company On a tonnage of 20,500 tons of water pipe for Porto Rico, a vigorous effort was made by American makers to ob- tain the business. At two openings of bids, the first having been de- clared void, an importer ir Porto Rico. representing a Belgian maker was low bidder.
 Progress was reported during the year by the United States Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry company and the National Cast Iron Pipe comrany. on further installations of the DeLavaud process.
 Prices were firm throughout the year. in most instances registering a gradual rise, in spite of a weak pig iron market through the summer and early fall, holding up until well into the latter weeks of the year. While maintaining quotations for prompt and spring delivery, some makers of- fered concessions as winter ap- preached of from $1 to 8 per ton to purchasers willing to accept winter delivery.
 gas and water companies, municipal ities and other buyers were unable to obtain early enough delivery for 1923 requirements, continuation of activity is expected by pipe makers