Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-08-21
SOUTH


The elaborate details OF the elements
OF cost which are given in each case
show that the Southern manufacturers
enjoy the advantage of cheaper ma
terialS and smaller expenses for the as
sembling of their ore, coke and lime
stone. In many instances the Northern
furnaces get their coke cheaper, but
the heavy freight charges on their ore
and limestone more than discount this
advantage. IL is shown that many Of
the Southern furnaces get all their raw
materials within 4 radius of few miles
of their works. and in several instances
mine their ore, coal and limestone on
the furnace grounds and make their
coke on the spot. On the other hand,
most of the competing furnaces in the
North have to gather all their materials
from distant points.
One OF the most significant features Of
the report from the Northern stand
point is the difference in the freight
rates on the raw materials in the
Northern and Southern States. In
many cases the rate in the North is
twice that charged for the same distance
i'm the South. For hauling one ton Of
coke I2O miles one Northern furnace
pays Sl.j5. and rate Of S1.45 per ton is
paid for distances of 100, 1875, 1870 and
l35 miles Some Southern rates on the
same material are: lbs miles, 1913; 1O7
miles, $3.50; l2O miles. SO.75 and S0.Sj;
90 miles. 5000, aud 1850, Sis. In the
case of the other materials used the
same comparative prices hold good.
Among eighteen Southern coke iron
furnaces for which complete figures are
given. there is but one that pays for the
transportation of its materials over -
per cent. of the total cost of the iron
produced, and this is evidently rare
instance, as the average of the Southern
freight charges is about one-half OF this
amount. I'm one instance the cost OF
bringing together all the materials for
making a ton OF iron is given at 20 cents,
or 3.O7 per cent. of the cost OF the iron.
In another ease the freight on materials
amounts TO 81 cents, or 9.s4 per cent. of
the total cost. The average cost of
making iron at eighteen Southern fur
naceS is 5000 per ton, and the average
| cost of assembling the materials IS SLID
per ton OF iron made, or 1921 per cent.
of the entire cost.
The figures for the Northern furnaces
make a surprising showing. Among
lclcvcn Pennsylvania coke furnaces one
is able TO bring its materials together
/ for a ton Of IRON at a cost of Sl.63, but
/ this is Western Pennsylvania plant
that makes its own coke in the midst of
! the ConncllSyille region and mines its
| own ore and limestone within few
miles OF the furnace. The freight paid
/ by other furnaces range up to S5.S7 per
ton Of iron made. or from 1905 per cent
| to 44.9S per cent of the total cost. The
Leverage cost of the iron made by these
eleven Northern coke furnaces is Sl3.79
per ton. while the average cost OF
assembling the materials for one ton OF
iron is S4.e4, or 3O.75 per cent. OF the
cost of the iron made. There are only
eight anthracite furnaces in Mr..
Wright'S list for which full figures are
given. The average cost OF the iron
made by these furnaces is Sl5.0l per
ton, while the cost OF assembling the
materials for a ton OF iron averages
500, or 33.7s OF the total cost. Two OF
the furnaces paid over - per ton in
| frcights, or more than one-half Of the
cost Of the iron that they made; one
paid SOL, or 3S.4l per cent, and the
Others paid from about % to 30 per