New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-23
N4RVELS OF NATIONAL GROWTH.

The most remarkable phenomenon OF the
last decade is set forth in the census report
ON production of iron True, the census only
accords Very closely with regular reports Oh
that trade The estimates based on monthly
statements of furnaces in blast differed for the
last year only 1900 tons from the census re-
mort. But 9,579,779 tons in 1SS9-'9O, against
37S1.O2l in 1S79-'SO, is in truth change
SO astonishing that unofficial reports might
naturally be regarded with some incredibly, at
least in other countries. The mere increase OF
1873 per cent in decade in that branch OF
industry which has been commonly regarded
rs on the whole the best test OF a Nation
prosperity is in this case not so surprising as
the increase in consumption, when 1t is con-
sidered how that consumption is divided ana
how supplied.
The last census year conceded almost pre-
cisely with the most sudden and surprising in
crease in demand for iron that has ever 0c-
CURED 1t was so sudden that in one year the
domestic production increased over a third,
and yet imports of foreign pig and scrap iron
rose tenfold, from 224, 900, 900 to 2.513.OO0,-
600 pounds, and imports OF manufactured iron
exclusive of tin plates from S1,O0O,OOO to
$50, OOO, 900 pounds. Comparing with ten
years ago is therefore comparing with period
of amazing and phenomenal demand Tor lron'
which far outran the capacity OF domestic
works. Yet the aggregate supply OF American
and imported iron, raw and manufactured was
$3.50, OOO. 900 pounds ten years ago, and dur
ing the last year it was 2O523, OOO,OOo
pounds. without making allowance for the de-
crease i'm stocks held unsold, which was about
2G6. O0O. 900 pounds more. Ten years ago
344O.OOO,OOO pounds were imported; now
1868. 900, 900 pounds. But the comparison is
the more remarkable if tin plates, which
stupid blunder of Congress has prevented this
country from producing, are excluded Oi all
other iron. raw and manufactured the imports
in 1s79-'sO were 3,O71, 600, 900 pounds, and
the last year were only ESQ, 900, 900 pounds.
There has been large increase in pcpua-
ton in ten years, but after full allowance for
that the gain in iron consumed per capita
appears to have been more than G3 per cent,
comparing with the extraordinary year 1879
80. and over 1866 per cent since the year pre-
ccding. This is on the basis Of the census re-
port of population, namely Ga, 00O,0O0 In
1s7a-'sO ont of total consumption OF 1916
pounds per capita there were produced ut home
lEb pOullUS. DurlUp ln' ihNt N''ii, '"N w ~"
total consumption of 500 pounds per capita
there were produced at home almost 3OO-ln
exact figures 299.37 pounds. II the decrease
in stocks during the year be added, Az pounds
per capita. the total consumption would be
32i.s3 pounds, and the domestic production
3O3.54 pounds per capita. Exclusive OF tin
plates, the foreign imports were of raw iron
5I.59 pounds ten years ago, and during the
last wear 5.S3 pounds; of manufactured iron
Hal pounds ten years ago, and 5.21 pounds
last year.
one other fact makes the comparison yet
more striking. The imports and the domestic
production of rails ten years ago were nearly
AZ large in proportion 10 population as they
are now about 5O.5t pounds against 55.l3
pounds per capita last year The consumption
Of tin plates was then but ss6S pounds, and
last year 1860 pounds per capita. setting
these two items by themselves. the remaining
consumption per capita of iron in all forms
has increased as follows: