Show LEAD A MOST FAVORED METAL according to the financial review of new york lead oc capies the most advantageous 6 position of anhof any of the base metals close control of the industry which is concentrated in the handi hands adi of a comparatively few large powerful operators effectually dampens wide price fluctuations and tends to eliminate overproduction during slack periods with corresponding accumulation 1 of large lare unsold metal stocks supply and demand have been nicely adjusted for some time judging from the steadiness kofl of the market at its present readjusted level domestic lead production in 1921 declined only 20 2070 to I 1 tons as compared with in 1920 world output over the same periods contracted from approximately short tons to as against in 1914 the wartime war time world record was only short tons foreign metal movements were maintained in a high leyel in 1921 total exports are estimated at tons a as s compared with in the preceding annual period imports which for the years 1916 to 1919 inclusive had been a little over tons a year advanced to in 1920 and held at for 1921 the heavy import movement was stimulated bv bir prostrated european elchan exchange e facilitating Z marketing operations in this country in terms of gold the price average b for the year is computed at cents a t pound with low and high the fhe war peak average was only cents a pound st louis basis in 1915 metal sold down to cents a pound present rates indicate that lead has suffered least in proportion of any of the base meals absence of unsold lead accumulations has proven I 1 the most important factor from the market standpoint stando sup ul 0 es available for consumption are closely coordinated co with wit the actual der demand nand this is possible only through the close con control rol of the industry as well as the formidable e tariff of 01 25 ad va lorem |