The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-03-17
The Iron Trade.

The Iron Trade.
'lhe depression in the iron trade has
caused many doleful forebodings from
those interested in the iron business, es-
pecially in mining. We are familiar with
the walls of these prophets of evil. We
have heard them every year for the past
quarter of century, yet there has been
no great harm following the depression,
unless it was where the conditions WERE,
not favorable for iron production. Iron
is as necessary for the uses OF commerce
and the wants of art, science and civil
cation, as bread is for the body. 1t can
not be dispensed with and the demand
for it must increase as we grow in popu-
lation and commerce and progress in
the arts and sciences. There is not Il day
that some new use for iron is not dis
covered; some new source OF consump
ton and some new impulse to its manu-
facture. Where a good quality of iron
ore exists, and it can be comparatively
easily mined it can be made profitable,
if properly handled. OF course there is no
business that cannot be made to be un>
profitable by bad management, but where
ordinary business methods are observed,
and vigilance shown in working the
mines, there can be no danger of unfav-
orable results Timid aud shallow peo>
pie get frightened at the least depres-
sion in the iron trade, and jump at the
conclusion that the bottom is about to
drop out Such croakers can be found
in every branch of business, but they do
not influence the trade, nor affect the
operations of level headed men. AS long
as the government exists and the people
increase in knowIedge-as long as pro
gress in every line marks the history of
Nation, the demand for iron must in
crease and it's uses be multiplied. Where
the raw material has been exhausted, or
partially so, to the extent that the cost
of getting it out is above the average,
then mines will. by a law of trade, be
come improbable, but when the supply
of ore is abundant, and of good quality,
and is accessible, and convenient to
transportation, there need be no fear, ii
good management is observed, that mi
ming ore and making iron will not bring
fair returns and ample remuneration for
the capital and enterprise invested.
In this district, especially, may such
results be expected. The quality of the
ore is good the quantity practically in
exhaustible transportation ready and
al ha dor, nd .np
responds with the output. Not only
need there be no apprehension, but we
may confidently expect a large increase
in the product of the mines and furna
ces. There is no place where good iron
can be made for less money, and as the
raw material is ample and the natural
advantages for manufacturing eXcep-
tional, other furnaces will be establish
ed, and industries for working up the out
put follow. In this last respect we have
but made commencement. The only in
dustries for producing the flushed pro
duct are the Rolling Mill at Iron Gate
and the Foundry and Machine Shops al
Covington. With a weekly output O
from 5000 to 5000 tons of pig, which will
be the case as soon as the furnaces al
Covington and Iron Gate go into blast
it will only be a question of a short time
when other Rolling Mills and Machine
Shops, and kindred industries, will be
established to consume the furnace pro-
duct. This is to be one of the most &C
tive and lucrative iron districts in the
world. Furnaces will be supplemented
by all kinds of iron industries to worF
up the pig metal. Nail factories, stove
manufacturers, and in fact every branci
of iron making and finishing will even
tually find representative here. The
iron business is in its infancy, so far al
this section is concerned. New mine,
will be followed by new furnaces new
furnaces by new finishing establish
ments, until the whole district will pull
safe and throb under the inspiration o
capital and skilled knowledge dedicated
to the iron interest