Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-03
WAITING FOR ORDERS.
The Reason Given for the Closing
Down of the Oliver Mills.
COMPETITION BECOMING KEEN.
mmoth Combination of Wire Manufac-
turing Companies.
REPAIRING TIE HOMESTEAD PLANT

The sudden closing down of the South
Fifteenth street mills of the Oliver Iron
and Steel Company came very unexpectedly
to the workmen. Upon few hours notice
1000 men were thrown out of employment
Wednesday afternoon the bosses told the
men that the mill would be shut down.
Thursday operations were practically sus-
pended, and yesterday not wheel was
turning where during the past few
months everything had been activity.
The only explanation given is that
there were no orders and that
the mill was overstocked. The shutdown
closes the beam mill, universal mill, plate
mill, S-inch, 10-inch and 20-inch mills In
definitely.
Since the last election there has been
great uneasiness in iron circles, and the
orders have been curtaiied wherever posi-
bic. The turning out by the Carnegie mills
of their former heavy production since the
strike was declared off has been largely re-
sponsible for the present shutdown. Inc
Carnegie firm, with its improved machinery,
can make steel cheaper than any other mill
in the country. For this reason it is max
ing serious inroads into all branches OF the
rade and underselIing all its competitors.
Undertaking Other Iron Firms.
1t is stated that few days ago the Oliver
and Carnegie firms bid on some tank plate
for Ritter & Conlev. Carnegie's bid was BIC
cheaper on the 100 pounds than divers.
This was terrible cut and made competi-
ton between the two firms well nigh i'm
possible. 1t is also stated that through its
improved machinery the Carnegie firm has
taken over 1000 tons of plate from the
Oliver Company, as the former can make
soft steel cheaper than the latter can turn
out iron plate.
H. w. Oliver, President of the Oliver
Iron and Steel Company, was seen last
night by a DISPATCH reporter When
asked as to the above statements he had
little to say.
s.Is it true, Mr. Oliver, that there was
such difference in the bids referred to?"
was asked.
''That is business, and have nothing to
say" he answered. He said, however, that
the advantage of the one firm over the
other was we'll known, but would neither at
firm or deny the question asked. Continu-
ing, he said: "Whenever orders are re-
ceived the mills will start up again, but
when that will be cannot tell. We are
anxious to begin operations, but it all de-
pends on the orders
The only class of work that suffers in this
close down is that of the structural beam
department. The material made in the
other departments is being turned out ct
the Tenth street mill, part of which has
been put on double turn. 1t is expected
that enough orders will be received TO keep
the structural department working part of
the time, but no stock will be kept on hand,
as it will be made and delivered just as
ordered. This course will be pursued until
the policy of the incoming administration
is known.
Waiting for Tariff Developments.
For the past three weeks J. Painter &
Sons at their West End mill are running
less than half the time, as it is claimed or
1ers have become very scarce, and no risks
Fill be taken with the prospects of an
early change in the tariff laws. 1t can be
said that the iron men in the Pittsburg dis
trict have adopted very conservative
policy since the election, and intend to be
very careful as to how their plants are run.
No stock will be kept on hand, and the out
put of the mill wills be reduced to the mimi
mum. While the Carnegie strike was on
and comparatiyely little material was being
made at Homestead, these mills had plenty
of orders at good prices, but since the
wheels of the big Homestead plant are in
successful operation, the conditions are
greatly changed.
In the wake of the cheap production of
the Carnegie mills, it is rumored that the
smaller firms in the city are thinking of
uniting in such a way as to be able to CON-
pete with the Carnegie Steel Company.
There has been much dissatisfaction among
the small manufacturers with the present
condition in the iron and steel market for
some time past, as they had to suffer from
the strong competition of the big firm The
changing of the Edgar Thomson steel rail
plant at Braddock TO the exclusive man.
utscture of steel billets, was the
heaviest blow that has been struck
the .small steel plants for long time
and these firms are now willing to accept
almost ANYTHING that viii bring relief, as at
the present time they can scarcely run their
plants at profit. There are large num-
ber of these firms and should they decide to
pool their interests in such a way as to
work to compete with the Carnegie firm,
they would be able to make a strong fight
for seIf-protection. The closing in part of
the Oliver and Painter plants is only taken
Is an indication that something like this
uiIl he done throuph necessity