Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-20

The reported shipment of 5000 tons oi
pig iron from Sheffield, Ala, to this city,
has caused sort of feeling of uneasiness
among some of the iron manufacturers in
this section. They have been speculating
as to who the iron is consigned to and what
use will be made of it. Railroad men are
also interested in the shipment, as it is being
made by water and not by rail.
The shipment is consigned to Carnegie,
Phipps s. Co., who claim they can bring it
here by boat cheaper than the iron can be
made in Pittsburg. From what could be
learned yesterday the effect of the shipment
on the iron market will have
A RATHER STARTLING EFFECT
if the experiment Is a success. Mr.. o. NJ.
Hartzell, of the firm of H. E. Collins &
Co., the well-known brokers, said in regard
to the matter:
1 do not really believe that 1000 tons Of iron
we're ever shipped from the Sheffield Iron
Works in Alabama They are situated on the
Tennessee river, and would, of course, be the
only firm that could conveniently undertake
such q task. My impression is that the report
is more of an advertising scheme than any
thing else, or it is a rumor circulated for the
purpose Of having some effect on the railroads,
in the hope that reduction of freight rates
would follow.
The present price of shipment per ton by
rail is 81 So and by boat 81 SO. This is quite an
item but doubt that the 81 saved would be
clear gain,
1t arrived here, and the extra cost made neces-
sary by the requirement of teams for hauling to
the mills, would soon eat up the difference in
freight rates. At present the railroads con.
fr0l ma dalIYpT
right to the furnace Of the mills.
IT Is VERY INFERIOR.
The metal that will be shipped will certainly
be of an inferior quality and will be used only
in mixing with other grades. / know of no firm
in this city which is in position to handle this
large amount of iron at this time. It would
require about 10 900 tons of different metal to
likely that any such situation exists This
metal will unqueStionably be OF an inferior
grade but If such large amount be delivered
here, it will have demoralizing effect upon
the iron market
Mr. Holling, of Moler & Co., said: 'T doubt
very much If such shipment has been made.
There is no firm in this city which will send to
the South for an inferior quality Of iron when
a better article for the same price can be
secured right here. The saving by shipping it
by water would only amount 10 81 26 per ton,
and this would be more than counterbalanced
by other expenses necessary for delivering the
iron after it arrives. Beside, Pittsburg is the
last place in the country likely to be affected
by Southern iron. Those cities which are more
south are certainly more apt to
feel it's competition. such cities, for instance,
as Cincinnati, st. Louis and Louisville. The
market for Southern iron naturally lies in
direction which can never interfere with the
Pittsburg section"
The impression seems to prevail generally
that the present shipment of 5000 tons of iron
is an experiment, and may have permanent
effect on the Northern market.
Mr.. A. M. Byers, the well-known manufac-
tnrer and furnace owner, was seen by DIS.
PATCH reporter in regard to the matter. He
said:
This sale of Southern iron to Pittsburg par
ties is news to me. l think that 5000 tons OF
the Sheffield iron will go a great ways with
manufacturers. The iron is of a
very inferior quality and Pittsburg need have
little fear of its ever entering our market In
large quantities"