New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-10
1MRRLCAN STEEL-MAKLNG.

We have received several responses, ChOuSh
fewer and less complete thal we hoped, To our
reauest for advces of everything now doing
in the way of Steel-making in our country.
From these, we estimate that not less than
twenty five different companies or concerns
are now at work under so many dilerent
patents on what they confidently trust VIII
prove shortcuts to tho production OF cheap
and excellent Steel We do not judge when
of these are and which are not OF decided
value we do not commend any one OF them
An especaly important and hopeful but we
do confidently predict that more than one OF
them will prove sgnaliy conducive to the
ultimate production of an abundance of steel
in our own land at lower cost than 1t ever
has been or ever could be obtained from
abroad.
Mr.. Weston has favored us with specimens
of Steel made by AtwoOd's process, which Is
claimed to enable those who employ 1t to cast
plates as thin IA can be desired. We do not
suppose that pcn-knifc blades sharp enough
for use will soon be nodded under this pro-
cess vet it seems full of promise. we under
stand Dir. w. that Steel shaped and cast to
order is afforded under this process at ten
cents per pound including a good profit to
the owners of the patent. or course, hsh-
hooks or knitting could not be afforded
at that rate but the statement will afford
some clue TO those regarding the matter III a
practical light
The Bcsscmrr patents are British, and all
who work under such of them as have not eX-
pired pay a royalty to the British inventor,
whether they work on this side of the Atlantic
a. N. nat hat po nj OpDUlp
prefer that the work should be done on our
own soil, even thus. We rejoice, therefore. III
being able TO state that nine large establishments
are either already turning out Bessemer Rails,
or will soon be ready to do so and 1T may DO
some people good to assure them that but
four of these are located in Pennsylvania; as
the following list of places where these estab-
lshments are situated Will lndlcate-nameiy
Troy. " Y Chicago, ILL.,
Harrisburg Penn. Bethlehem, Penn.
Cleveland, Ohio. Joliet H.
lewiston Penn Chicago Ill. taRother.
Johns,own Penn.
Three of these concerns were running through
most if not all of 1870, and produced nearly or
aute 50, 900 tuns of rails in that year while 1t
i, contemplated that they will all be at work
within the present year, and that they Will
each average $4,000 tuns per annum when IN
full operation. 1t is hoped that their total
product in 1871 will he fully $4,000 tuns. In
1874 unless paralyzcd by the overthrow OF
Protection, their total product will certainly
exceed 10000 tuns.
The price of Steel Rails in this country
since their first introduction has averaged as
follows:
In 1872 $500 per tun. In 1867 sl65
In 1862 sl25 per tun. In 1870, slO5
Up to this time, not less than Ten Millions
of Dollars have been invested in the erection
of works for making Steel Rails in this
country-most of it paid directly for labor.
II is estimated that these Rails can be made
cheaper in the West than at the East, and
cheaper on the Hudson than on the Susquc-
hanna. No better ores for Steel are found
this side of Sweden than within 60 or 80
miles of this City.
As TO the value of Steel Rails, there is no
difference of opinion among those acquainted
with them. Eminent railway managers say
that they would prefer to lay down Steel
Rails at 800 per tun ii offered Iron Rails for
nothing.
The Northern Pacific, we learn, will make
its own Rails from ores found in the vicinity
of It's track, finding it cheaper to do this than
bring Rails from "a distance. We trust the
Southern Pacific will find its account in doing