Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-20
American and English Iron.

Pittsburgh Gazette.
Some interest will attach to the report
already noticed by US, that the revival
Of iron industry here is followed bysymp-
toms of revival in England. This news
is confirmed, but not whether this re-
vival is based entirely on the American
demand, or Is in anticipation OF 1m-
proved trade in this country. The con-
sumption OF pig iron in this country has
steadily increased for the past three
years, being 2, l67 ,346 tons in 1876, . $50
932 tons in 1877, and 2,645, l47 tons in
1868. But prices have steadily declined,
pig iron being lower in 1873 than ever
before. Rails, made of American iron,
touched their lowest point in 1877,
- and had made an average
advance of $3.50 per ton in 1878.
The production OF rails increased in
1873 over 10000 tons as compared with
1877. The production for the present
year is expected to excel that OF any pre-
vious year. This with the steady adj
vance in the price of iron will soon over
come the advantages of the tariff, and
the English expect, when certain adj
vance is reached, to be able TO come into
our market in competition with our
manufacturers. This, We Judge, is the
basis of their so-called revival. But lit
tie fear need be entertained OF it. The
experience following the panic first
trained our manufacturers in the
econimies OF iron making, until the
price of production, and quality, will
| enable them TO readily compete
with English iron. But the neces-
sites of the iron trade-the long and
terrible depression of her industries
will induce her manufacturers to force
their way into our markets with the
first opportunity. This clearly shows
that the advance in the price OF iron and
steel will be restricted. The reduction
| of the tariff narrOws this restriction, and
! the difference between the tariff and the
cost of manufacturing English iron and
steel is the margin within which our
| manufacturers must work, so far as
prices are concerned. The cost OF man
ufacture, in England, is very SMALL
| the long depression, the reduction OF
wages, and the limitation of all forms OF
cost. having brought down the price OF
production. Hence, the idea of the
| prices that were at one time secured
must be abandoned.
But we are of the opinion that the iron
trade will have relatively prosperous
! career. IL will not, on a ton OF IRON OF
steel, realize the old profits, but have q
larger range of business, and with less
profit the aggregate result will be en-
tirely satisfactory. WOrkmen are paid
| L.. nj
to compete processes to cheaper cost
must be resorted to, and the quality
made all that can be demanded. This
is what has attracted the attention oI
our Pittsburgh manufacturers during
the period of depression. 1t is an error
to suppose that English iron and stee
are better than the American make
Pittsburgh iron and steel have been i'm
mensely improved in quality OF late
wears, and we know OF instances where
it has supplanted the English on the
score of quality, as well as price. II
proper pains were taken by our manu-
facturers to impress this fact on the
buying public, it would be al
the better for their trade. Van
derbilt's purchase of English
rails was publicly predicated on the
idea that quality led to his choice. We
do not believe it true, but the report
served to injure American trade. Were
our manufacturers to take the pains &c
have the merits OF their products fully
and carefully presented to the country
they would put themselves in proper
position to reap such fruits from theil
efforts in improving the quality OF theil
manufactures, as they really deserve
At any rate, the contest between then
and their English rivals is near at hand
and the foreigner is actively preparing
for it.