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Show IRON AND STEEL MARKET ; FINANCIAL THERMOMETER OF NATION, HINCLKEY SAYS By E. S. HINCKLEY. It is generally conceded, In financial finan-cial circles, that the steel and iron Industry In tho United States Is Its best financial thermometer. During Dur-ing a comparatively long period of the Inter spring and summer of 11)21 the slump In prices of pig iron showed a rather definite evidence of more or less unrest in tlie minds of financial interest. As election time approached, however, how-ever, nnd it became more and more npparents Ihnt the conservative forces would easily bold the balance of power in the United States, a hopeful tendency developed nnd the psychology of business showed a marked upward trend. Immediately following the election It Is gratifying gratify-ing to note that the prices of pig iron and steel made a rapid development. develop-ment. Orders now placed nnd the purchases pur-chases made by the railroad Interests Inter-ests of tlie United States for rails nnd new equipment gives splendid assurance of the future prosperity of our country. The Increase of several sev-eral dollars per ton In tlie price of pig iron from October 27 to Novem-ler Novem-ler 2-S, 1021, Is also exceedingly hopeful. Bringing this right to our local situation it is of vital Importance to us, since the Columbia Steel corpor-otion corpor-otion has been in oieration for a little more than a half a year and has produced pig iron beyond the anticipation of the most optimistic. This condition will naturally pro duce a better market for tlie pig Iron of our plant which will make opportunity for further development In this Immediate vlcinlly. Naturally wo are all hoping that with the beginning of 11125 we may see further development on the, grounds of the Columbia Sloel corporation, cor-poration, such as the addition of another an-other battery of coke ovens, a cast iron pipe plant and possibly In tho near future, the development of other blast furnaces. lOuch development develop-ment would mean a very great deal to Ibis iminedlale vicinity. Mr. Halns, general manager of (be Columbia Steel corporation, has or-ten or-ten slressed the importance of Iho development of this plant from Iho fact thnt. Increased Industry means Increased populnllon nnd Increased population means better prices for all farm products and good prion for farm product always stands for local nnd national prosperity. It Is very gratifying to note that at the recent convention of the National Na-tional Founders association held in New York City nnd the National Grange association convention held In Allalic City, Hint the outstanding features of these meetings was to ! bring Into closer relations the maim, fact.urers of the country and tiie farmers. It was remarked that this truly is an nmbiilous undertaking. These great, national organlza- j Hons have made the Initial slop to- 1 ward a spirit of co-operation and understanding which undoubflly will mean much in the development of our country. ; ' i |