Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-11
OUR IRON AND STEEL SUPREMACY,

Mr.. J, NJ. Swank's statistical report of
the iron and steel trade for 1889, besides
containing much interest as showing the
largest totals of iron and steel production
ever known in this country, has details of
especial interest to Pittsburg. 1t is COM
Portable to read that the total of pig iron
production In 1889 was S,516,079 tons,
against, ,26S, 507 in 1888; of Bessemer steel
ingots, 3, PSI, ,S29 tons, or 200 tons more
than for the preceding year; of rolled iron.
2, SIC, ,127 tons, or 200, 600 more than in 1887,
and of rolled steel, except rails, 1,5S4, 364
tons, or $50, 900 tons more than ever before.
But the statistics have a local value in
proving the undisturbed supremacy of
Pittsburg in the production of both iron
and steel.
1t may be remembered that, year or
more ago, during the discussion on the
freight rates for iron and coke, intimations
were made that Chicago was threatening to
pass Pittsburg in the Bessemer steel in
dustry. While warmly supporting the re-
duction in ore rates. which was obtained,
THE DISPATCH took occasion to say that
when the iron and steel statistics were made
up Allegheny county would be found, for
many year to come, to surpass in produc-
tion, not only Cook county but the entire
State of Illinois. The present report is
very good test of the accuracy of that fore
cast
1t is gratifying under the circumstances
to find that the production of pig iron in
TO
more than twice the product of Col, ,035 tons
In the entire State of Illinois. The total of
rolled iron produced in this county was
63S, 450 tons. or five times the product of
126, 2S3 tons in Illinois. The total produc-
ton of all kinds of steel was 1,105, ,573 tons,
against COL, 172 tons in Illinois. This COM
parison with Illinois is only made because
there was disposition TO set up Chicago as
a rival of Pittsburg. The fact is, that in
each of these items Allegheny county makes
good its title of the ''State of Allegheny"
awarded it by President Lincoln, by show
ing larger product of both pig iron, rolled
iron and steel than any other State in the
Union.
Another very interesting point is in the
proportion of Allegheny county's production
to the total product OF the country. In 1879
our output of pig iron was just about one
twelfth of that for the whole country; last wear
it was little less than one-slxth. Ten years
ago our product of rolled iron was little
over one-si1th the production of the United
States; now it is just about quarter. For
1879 our output of steel of all kinds was one
eighth the total for the whole country; now
1t is little under third. In other words,
besides sharing the immense increase in pro-
duction of iron and steel all over the coun-
try, Pittsburg has in the past ten years en-
larged her ratio of the country's output 80 to
$50 per cent.
These figures certainly do not indicate any
danger that our supremacy in the iron trade
is to depart either to the West or South. So
long as Pittsburg guards her unrivaIed
natural advantages, and secures the rights of
her geographical position in transportation,
the statistics will continue to show the same
unapproachable supremacy.