The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-08-03
European Iron Trade and Railroads.
New York Daily Bulletin.l

Tho iron trade Is so important In Its
bearing upon wide range Of industries
that it may always be taken as one Of the
surest indications of the condition of trade
at large. In spite Of the gloomy reports
that still come from the iron interests Of
Great Britain, We can distinctly trace the
beginnings Of more hopeful feeling in
the iron industry Of Europe as whole.
And this change, though not based upon
any actual increase Of demand, appears
to have some req! foundation. Belgian
writer's are surveying the horizon and
find the following facts. In pursuance Of
the authorizations made by the French
Legislature, there are 3G, 600 kilometres OF
new railroad to be built forthwith In that
country. involving an outlay of 5000, 900, =
900; besides which considerable work has
to be done in rehabilitating already estab-
lished lines. A sum Of 500, 0OO, 900 has
also been voted for constructing $500
kilometres OF new canal and for restoring
5000 kilometres Of existing water ways;
and although these works have only an
indirect bearing on the iron trade, yet
they will very materially contribute col
laterally towards that impulse to general
trade that will arise from the great de-
mand for railroad iron and supplies. In
Europe generally, there has been, since
1873, q very general neglect OF repairs as
well as suspension Of new constructions,
which now begins to create an imperative
demand for new rails and new rolling
stock. In Belgium alone there are now
GOO kilometres Of new road in process Of
construction, while tho building Of 800
more is contemplated, the cost of which is
estimated at $50, OOO, 900. We have thus
an impending outlay Of $3.50, DOC, 900 IN
France and Belgium alone.
Professor Strumer OF BrOmberg has
compiled a statement of the kilometres Of
railroad existing In the world In the years
1875 and 1877, as indicating the bearing Of
these works upon the iron trade, which
that during 1876 and 1877, there were g..
600 kilometres Of railroad built In all
countries, or at the rate Of 2,5oO ktlome-
tres per year. From 1870 to 1875, the rate
Of new construction had been $1,000 kilo-
metres per annum. This shows that the
contraction Of building was continued up
to the close Of last year, although the
decrease may not be SO great as some had
supposed. A glance at Prof. Sturmer's
table showing tho kilometres OF road per
each 10000 inhabitants in the several
countries, shows that, In many Of the
construction of rOads or rapid dcca-
dence Of their trade. This Is notably the
case In Italy, Spain, Portugal, Russia,
Turkey and Greece. 1t Is difficult to sec
how these nations can maintain their rank
in the commercial competition between
the European nations without q very large
increase OF the railroad facilities. When
it Is considered that these six nations en-
brace l5O, O00, 900 Of the population OF Eu-
rope, and yet have only 81, 1898 kilometres
OF railroad out Of the European total OF
153, 1873 kilometres, the conclusion seems
inevitable that vast amount OF railroad
construction remains to be done in Europe
at no very distant day; TO say nothing Of
what. may be required for the further de-
velOpment of commerce with the teeming
populations OF Asia, q commerce which Ia
now but in its infancy.
The extent to which American manufac-
turers will be able to benefit by this de-
mand must depend, first, upon the degree
to which they are able to avail themselves
of the latest economies In manufacturing
processes, and, next, upon the prices ut
which the coal trade, combined for the
purpose Of enforcing high prices, will per-
NIT them to have fuel. The present con-.
dition of this industry may be discourage
ing; but the future is full Of promise,
providing manufacturers will pursue .
policy calculated to give them the same
elements of cheapness Of production as
are enjoyed by other countries. But 50
long as they blindly support q policy
which enhances all the costs Of producing
iron, they can only expect to be unable to
compete with the trade Of other nations.