The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-12-19

The Iron Trade Booming.

dispatch from Pittsburg to the New
York Times, dated the 9Th, contains
the annexed encouraging statement for
iron men and the iron interests. Not
only next year, but for ten years to
come, we expect to see continuous activ
ity in the iron business. The govern
ment has entered upon the important
pollcy OF building up navy. commen-
surate with our national power and po
sition, and coast defences of equal
magnitude, and all the material for the
use OF these enterprises must, under
law, be procured from our own country
There can be no step backward in this
respect. Apart from this, private enter
prises will increase the demand for iron
each year, as it is deemed economy in
the large cities. to use iron in the cen
struction of large buildings, &c, where
wood has heretofore been appropriated.
This will cause an extensive enlarge
ment of the demand for iron, and will
give market for all this country can
produce, even with much larger pro-
as the iron interest is active, all other
branches of trade will sympathize with
and respond to it. The dispatch says:
All signs hereabout indicate that next years
output of iron and steel from the Pittsburg
district will exceed this years. Prices, too,
Wnlch nave had an upward tendency for some
months, it is thought are likely to range higher
II anything. One unusual circumstance which
promises well for 1890 is the placing of large ore
contracts already for next year. These are not
made ordinarily until February. Pittsburg blast
furnace owners have purchased larger ton
mage or ore for next years delivery than ever
before 1t is estimated that contracts for
l,0O0OOO tons OF Bessemer ore for the furnaces
OF this district have already been placed at
advance of about 81 per ton over this years
prices.
The indications are that early next year a
still further advance will be made. The buying
has been done very quietly. For the past two
weeks representatives of iron companies
have quietly dropped into the city, made their
contracts, and departed. One contract for
25l0)0 tons, and another for zoe OO0 and several
smaller contracts were all booked within the
p st week, the ore to. be delivered next year.
This is taken to Indicate that the iron business
will be even better next year than it has been
GnlS year. Inc conclusion drawn by some IRON
men from this condition of affairs is that the
cost of making pig iron will be increased about
$1.65 per ton, with ore prices advanced 81, and
this cost will be further increased if limestone
and coke prices are increased.
Besides the activity in the raw material line
there is more than the usual demand for iron
mill machinery. There never was a larger r.
quest for rolling mill machinery than at present.,
said an official of the Lewis Foundry and Ma
chine Company to day. 1.-THE character of the
machinery wanted is such mills ask for only
when an increased output is contemplated. From
this we draw the conclusion, and have learned
otherwise also, that manufactures are not in
easing their facilities to accommodate possible
o .ders but that they find betterlnentS necessary
because of orders now i'll sight and in hand. In
point of improvements, the PittsDurg district is
ahead, but the Mahoning Valley is pushing us
closely. Besides these districts, the mills in all
sections of the country are improving"
The additionto the several blast furnaces to
the already extensive plants of the Carnegie
firms and the purchase of the Pittsburg Stee
Casting Company's plant by the Oliver Roberts
Wire Company, two of the leading concerns in
this section, are also considered as an indication
that manufacturers are expecting more bust
ness next year than this.
Progress
1t is very important in this age of vast
tariaJ rroOraCc that q ra,na3v Ia /