Show ENORMOUS IRON TRADE BUT NOT THE GREAT ACTIVITY OF A FEW MONTHS BACK cleveland ohio dec 21 1 l 0 o iron trade review bays with far moro than tho cucual de comber activity yet with a general quiet that Is in marked contract with conditions a few months ago the iron trade comes to the end of this remarkable year production of pig iron la now ut tho rate of tons a year apparent con is cub on tho same level still a higher according to the figures or december 1 we find nowhere any tangible signs of diminished consumption due to the present level ot prices but with every month consumers who have used up tho material on their low level contracts are coming to what a prodigious advance in their cost the decisions that will be made in tho next two or three months in such cases will have much to do in determining ter tho rate at which lon l on and steel will be absorbed in the second half 0 1900 it appears that ore buyers for abo moat part have contracted tor supplies for twelve months ahal and not to the opening of navigation in 1301 the pig iron has not changed the forces seem so well balanced that at the moment a definite statement Is difficult in the baat sales are made at prices recently pr evalet so that the seller assumes the freight advances effective january 1 8 nt menA aUy the situation is easier what tha will come to will be by the january buying that Is generally loate d for in the central west the latest transactions in bessemer iron have been at the highest price and on some lots the equivalent of 25 pittsburg has boen paid the gap between dea semer pig iron and la still loss than in the more active tall months the former being higher and the latter slightly lower contract con traca for the farat halt could bo made no doubt at 35 to 36 central western mill la finished material the readjustments of prices are almost entirely in plates and sheets on abo former cent has been shaded on blaa on a 1500 ton lot of ship platea tor doll very at a lake erie yard but la general cents or tank and to cents for hollar steel is the basis A firmer stand of sheets Is in evidence in somo markets but this is not general structural material is bulto active and in the matter of dc this Is the slowest line on the list that high prices would bously chck demand hare Is a kroph ecy entirely discredited by iho condition of tha mills wo note a ton contract in the cleveland district tons in the chicago district and nn equal pending herci nail buying continues with good prospect of further purchases both on do and account A ton contract bag been cluade by a western road |