Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-30

| such contemplated advance on the pro-
| gramme. They realize that it would be
| very unwise in the present condition OF the
market to make such demand.
No Important Change Likely.
1t is very probable that no important
changes will be made in the different scales
by the convention, although the talk of
adopting the sliding scale system is still
carried on. The delegates are inclined, in
the present extremely dull condition of the
iron and steel markets, to move slowly, and
are of the opinion that if they succeed in
holding what they now possess they will be
fortunate.
The largest representative meeting of the
members of the Timed Plate Manufact-
urers' Association of the United States ever
held convened in this city last week. Some
u firms were represented from all parts of
the iron-producing districts of the country,
and the work of the association was pub
lished in full in THE DISPATCH at the time.
Arrangements for the manufacture of this
article have been going on quietly, and at
present there is an annual capacity of 100,-
900 tons in sight. In the manufacture of
these plates an enormous tonnage of pig
iron is consumed, and in fact the consump-
tion of pig iron for the manufacture of
plates for thinning is one of the mainstays of
the pig iron industry of England and
Wales.
Manufacturers in this country entertain
no fear of the production of tin plates in
1896 not equaling the proportion Of the i'm
portations of tin plates in 1890 that is re-
quired by, the Mckinley bill; otherwise the
bill will become void.
The Ever Present Fuel Question.
There is still considerable trouble and in
IL
OF natural gas fuel and many mills, after
a second attempt at q universal adoption,
have been compelled to resort to the use of
coal, and the general impression is thst all
the different iron and steel mills will ulti-
mately have to return to coal. In Brown &
Co. s and Zng & Co.'S mills the puddlers
have at times been unable to turn out six
heats. In Shoenberger & Co. s mill last
week there was such scarcity that it re-
quired all of a puddler's time to make three
heats to q turn.
These are the only remaining mills out
the Penn avenue district using gas entirely,
and if no better supplies are Forthcoming
they will have to fall in line with the
many returning to the use of coal.
AT Carnegie's mills, after short change,
the puddler at Twenty ninth street returned
to all-night work on account of the lack of
gas. 1t is very likely that return to coal
will be made. 1t this event II out of the 42
pudding furnaces will have to be torn down
to make room for coal bins. In the Thirty.
third street mill about the same condition
of things exist and the puddlers don't ex-
pect half time during the coming summer,
unless they change to all-night work.
So far 2 of the 40 furnaces have been
changed to coal, with the work of changing
the others going on as fast as possible. AT
these latter mills Manager Berntraeger has
about concluded his experiments with his
new furnace, and he is quite sure that the
Inconvenience resulting from a shortage of
gas can be easily overcome. In ordor to
carry out the entire success of his inten-
tions all the pudding furnaces in the two
mills will be remOdeled for the use of coal
The puddlers at the above-named mills will
hereafter work from 1 in the afternoon until
in the morning, each turn making about
four heats, in order to equalize the earn
ings of the men on both turns and over
come, as well as possible, the gas shortage.
Some Big Improvements.
At the Edith furnace in Lower Allegheny,
which plant has been bought by the Oliver
Iron and Steel Company, extensive improve
ments are being made. The work of re-
lining, which will cost about $50, 900, is
soon to be commenced, and new blowing en-
gines of the E. p. Allis & Co. make, costing
S13. 900 each, are being put in, and every
improyement about the plant indicates the
intent on of the company to erect second
furnace adjoining. The Improvements will
not be completed until next March. The
company will be known as the Allegheny
Furnace Company. When finished, the
furnace will have a capacity of 175 tons per
day.
The foundation for new boiler house
for the H and I furnaces of the Edgar
Thomson Steel Works has Just been COM
pleted. 1t will contain battery of 16
boilers, making total of 154 boilers, that
will be in use at this plant and making it
the most complete boiler system in the
world. Morris, williams and Bailey have
begun the erection of an iron-clad build
ing, 85x45 feet, and new rolls, engines and
other necessary equipment will be added
and the present annealing furnaces enlarged
sufficiently to double the present capacity.
All three of the Eliza furnaces, of Laughlins g
Co., are now in full blast after underg Ding
extensive repairs
prs,.-;n. for arn,or Work
The Spang Steel and Iron Company have
finished all plans and specifications for q
new department, to be devoted to all kinds
of Government armor work Work on the
siH tha;r roson4 y1ont Iii a1sn 90,
be commenced, aud the cost is estimated at
$3.50, 900. The Pittsburg Malleable Iron
Company have plans prepared for large
brick and iron building, to be built to meet
the increased demand for their products A
large manufacturing plant is to be erected
of Kaps;notap on the ValIev road hv the