The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-01-16
Iron in 1879.
PRODUCTION NEVER BEFORE EoUALED.

The year which has just closed was most
remarkable one in the history Of the Ameri-
can iron trade. According to special report
completed recently by Mr.. James M.
Swauk, secretary of the American Iron and
Steel Association, more pig iron, bar iron,
rails and steel were turned out than in any
previous year. The production of pig iron
was 100000 gross tons, or half a million
more than in 1878; of iron and steel rails,
100000 tons, exceeding the previous year
by 81 ,SS9 tons The production of rolled
iron was 20 per cent larger than in 1873
The advance in prices has been consdera.
bic. No. 1 anthracite foundry pig has ad-
vanced log per cent; cut nails by the keg,
102 per cent old iron nails SO per cent;
No. wrought scrap 70 per cent. These are
among the highest advances.
Says Mr.. Swank ''Such rapid advance
in prices has never before taken place in one
year in this country, except during the war;
but if allowance be made for the depreciation
in the currency in that period, the present
rise is absolutely without parallel"
| The year 1879 was remarkable for the new
impulse which it gave to the building of rail-
roads. About 1000 miles were constructed
against 2,747 in 1873. The mileage of 1879
was equal to that of 1878, which was 4,069
miles. The greatest mileage in any one year
was in 1871, when 76OS miles were built.
The increased demand for new rails was one
| of the causes of the iron trade revival, but
more potent cause was the sudden demand in
the spring by existing roads for rails, cars
and locomotives, to meet the requirements of
increased transportation of agricultural pro-
ducts and to compensate for the wear and
tear Of the hard times.
The business of building iron ships did not
improve in 1879, but the manufacture of steel
wire fencing was greatly extended during the
year, about 10000 tons of steel being con-
sumed in this new industry. There was also
a very large demand during the year for iron
pipes aud tanks for the Bradford region. Du.
ring the last six months the Importance of pig
iron, iron aud steel rails have been very
large. This says Mr.. Swank, SHOULD
teach our manufacturers that the English
policy of piling up iron in hard times, to be
follow"
OF tfe prospects of the trade for the COM
ing year, the Association has this to say:
Experience has taught US that it is not safe
to prophesy what any year has in store for
the American iron trade We will, there
fore, simply state, what probably every person
in the trade already knows, that more furna-
ces ard mills will be running in 1880 than in
1879, and that, as a consequence, our iron
and ste Il production in the new year will be
greater than in the old one. After the lst of
April it will be fully equal to the demand of
all lines. Whether prices will re main as high
| as they are or go up still higher no man can
E find out, nor whether we will build more
. railroads in 1880 than in 1879. 1t seems GER
a tain that our importations of iron ore this
q year will be larger than last, large contracts
o having already bet made. Probably 500, 900
4 tons will be imported in 1880 agasnst 300, 900
A tons in 1879. The steel blooms in 1869, ag-
A gregating considerably less than 900 tons
have not yet arrived"