The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-03-09
The Iron Product.

The census report for 1880, will prove by
far the most valuable work ever issued in this
country. For tullness of detail, accuracy, and
comprehenslveness it stands out conspicuous
There is no subject it touches which it does
not present in a new light. In treating of
is particularly worthy OF note. A history Of
the trade is given with minute details of the
past ten years development. Accompanying
are maps showing the location reproduction in
all parts of the United States. II is confined,
however, to the productive branch of the
trade-to works producing pig and rolled
iron. steel in crude form and hammered bars
and blowers.
The amount of capital invested in iron
works, 1880, was $3.50 971 Ss4, and the value of
products 1896, 557 6S5, the value of material
used amounting to $191 ,371 $50; 1905 works
were in operation, giving employment to
140,976 hands, and the wages paid amounted
| to 81, 496. 7S5. The number of tons produced
was 1855 .14O. Since 1870 there has been an
increase of 80 per cent. in the amount of capi-
tai employed 43 per cent. in the value OF
products Al in the value of materials "a per
cent in the number of establishments 81 per
cent in the number of employees; 81 per cent
in amount of wages paid, and SO per cent. in
| the number of tons turned out
| The larger ratio In the increase of the annual
production is accounted for by the use of i'm
proved machinery, as well as reduction in
the price of labor Throughout the United
States the average prices paid for skilled Ia
Dor was $3.50 cents per day, and $l.25 for
common labor Rhode Island and several
of the western States averaged 81 per day
whilst in North Carolina the average price
was $1.25. The FIVE great iron producing
States are Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York
Illinois and New Jersey in the order named
These five States have turned out 5,S0OOO(
tons of iron and steel of the total product o
seven and quarter million. The improved
methods in the manufacture of steel and thu
increased use of machinery have not only
affected the cost but the localities of produc
ton, as is evidenced by the growth of the bus
mess in Illinois, where, in 1870, only 25,OO'
tons were made, while in 1880 the amount wa
242, 500 tons, 205, 900 tons of which consisted
of steel manufactured by the Bessemer pro
cess. In the entire country only 10 ,4O3 ton
of Bessemer steel were produced in 1870. Ii
1880 the amount was SS9, 1896 tons.
The 1880 product of iron and steel in tn
United States was considerably over one-hal
rs great as the entire product of iron in tn
world in 1877, the latter being 1855. 628 tons
The worlds product of steel for said year wa
100000 tons. In 1880 the United State
produced about three-eights of this amount
The total capacity Of the steel mills of tn
world in 1880, according to the London Time
was about 100000 tons, this country ranking
only second to Great Britain, while German
takes the third place.
The latter country is considered, however,a
capable of the greatest expansion amongst al
the teelmaking countries OF the world. Th
French steel works turn out about 300, 90
tons per aHnum, and that country has adopte
the steel for its roads more rapidly than Grea
Britain or the United States. Over four
ftths of the roads OF France are now furnishe
with these, while in this country the iron ra
is still in use on at least two-fifths of the raj
road mileage.