New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-01
CgSSE.ER RAILS AND DUTIES.

This country produced in 1852 fourteen
times as many TORS of Bessemer steel ingots rs
it produced in 1872, ten years ago. The OIL
cial statistics of the Iron and Steel Association
mt the production at 1896, $50 net tons,
against /, 539, 157 in 1881, an increase of 1912
per cent. The production of Bessemer rails
not made from imported blooms was / 1884, $40
net tons, against 1,253.129 in 1881, an in
crease of Go per cent. Reports are not yet
made from esta blishments which rolled II, 70
tons ia 1881, chiefly from imported blooms
nor from the works which rolled 25,2l7 tons
10 1881 Of open hearth steel rails. AS the ir =
crease in the latter kinds of production has
latterly been very great. it Is probable that
considerably more than ], 45O,OOO tons OF steel
rails were made IN this country last year. or
100000 tons more than were made in ] SS1,
nearly 100000 tons more than were made IN
1880. and nearly 100000 more than were
made in 1879. At the beginning of the latter
year the price was barely dollar higher than
it Is now, and only ten tons in al had been
imported during the previous year. In 1879
the price WAS pushed up to SGT, and before the
end of that year %. 057 tons had arrived from
abroad in 1880 the price varied from sos to
$50, and 1913. 230 tons came from abroad in
1881 the price was held up TO $50 or over al
249, 800 tons came from abroad IN 1882 it
dropped to the lowest point yet known, $3S,
but the quantity imported in eleven months
was III 1892 tons of 1000 pounds, and during
the year probably $4,000 tons.
The fact has recently been published that
large orders have been accepted by well estab-
lished works at $40 per ton. In some concerns,
doubtless, rails could not be made at profit at
that price, but there are others that are much
more fayorably situated as respects supply OF
cheap material. IA to foreign competition,
too, nearly all are more fav orably situated as
being nearer the consumers and further from
the sea- coast. Assuming, then, that the mills
In this country as n whole could nave made an
average profit Of IS ton had they continued
TO sell steadily at S15, 1t appears that they have
brought 10 Themselves very large temporary
gains by the prices realized, but have brought
into this country in four years 612, 500 tons Of
foreign Bessemer rails, costing the country
over $25, 900, 900, and have stimuli atcd an
unnatural growth in productive power here 80
great that tho value 0f their works for ~ me
years To come is predetermined. year ago the
official report o. the Iron and Steel Association
stated that the capacity Of the mills was more
than equal to the present Demand" and the re-
suit has been decline in price below the prob
able Ii nit OF average cost, and an inference Of
GIG per cent III production. Tho consumption
last year was unprecedented and phenomenal.
He would lbs a bold man who should predict
that the country would again build ~, 900
miles Of railroad in single year for some time
10 come. Meanwhile, ~ Ijessemer rails wear
longer than iron, the substitution of steel for
iioD has icssened the future demand for 10.
Placements. Ia -four years J,O3I ,322 tons Of
steel rails have been made and Imported,
enough to lay over 10000 miles Of road. Tho
new road boilt during tbose years, $4,000
miles, has been in part choaplJ constructed, not
Of steel. aud more than 10000 miles, OF a