The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-13
Industrial and Commercial.
MINE, MILL AND RAILROAD.

MlNEs MILL AMI hhlLAAVhDs
The month of october records fur
ther addition to the production OF pig
iron in the United States. The weekly
output is now larger than at any time
since May, 1893, and only 22,6S5 tons be-
low the maximum output in that year.
The average production of the furnaces
has increased as shown by the fact that
on May /, 1898, the output of 251 fur
naces was 1S1, ,551 tons, or an average of
1923 tons, while the 1S1 furnaces now in
blast have an average output of SIT
tons, an increase of over q per cent.
The number of furnaces now in blast
shows an increase of nine for the month,
but an increase of only 1871 tons in the
weekly production. The iron trade Is
considered to be the barometer of gen
eral business and in this respect it
shows remarkable recovery from the
low point Of depression in the summer.
Since June the weekly production has
increased from 81, SIT tons to 1885 tons,
an increase of 96349 tons, or 154 per
cent, the number of furnaces In blast
having increased from SO on June
to 1S1 on Nov. l. The remarkable
feature of this large increase is that
It has been coincident with decline
in prices and disturbance of the mar
kets of all kinds of iron AMI steel by the
tinkering with the tariff. The con-
sumption of charcoal and pig iron has
been about equal to the production
while the consumption of anthracite
has been very heavy, having reduced
stocks about 10000 tons, notwithstand-
ing the more active production. These
figures indicate that the iron trade Is
in healthy condition. Prices are on
very low basis, but on the other hand
cost Of production has been propor-
tionately reduced, and any change must
now be in the direction of higher prices.
1t is known that large orders for ma
terial are being held back, and the plac-
ing of, say, one-quarter of the same
would give decided impetus to the
trade. 1t does not appear probable to
the Commercial Advertiser, from which
these figures are taken, that these or
ders can be held back much longer, as
the material will be needed for use in
the spring. The necessities of the rail-
roads alone make larger total, and
makers confidently look for an active
demand for structural material. The
crisis in the iron trade was passed some
time since, and the tendency now is in
the direction of improvement, which,
however, will be gradual but progress
sive.
The scarcity of empty cars continues.
To considerable extent this is due to
the great number of loaded cars stand
Ing on the side-tracks and switches of
the various roads. The fact that the
operators are unable to get a sufficient
supply Of cars Is really the reason for
the semi-restriction which Is reported.
Were cars abundant there is no telling
how much anthracite might not be
mined now that it has been decided to
work on full time. The Engineering and
Mining Journal thinks it Is, perhaps,
fortunate thing for the operators that
such state of affairs exists, for a
full tonnage this month would more
than ever diminish the chances Of seeing
irmer prices.
The famous Jeddo tunnel is about
completed. The contractors, Scott 6,
King, have been pushing the work very
quietly, and, except the men engaged at
the work, no one knew how they were
progressing until last night 1t Is now
learned that the blast which, 1t Is eX-
pected will break the division of rock
and release the water, Is now in readi-
ness to be set off. 1t Is expected that
this will be done this morning. Last
night the bore hole, which was driven
from the surface to meet the waterway
and through which the wires to dis
charge the dynamite are to be run, was
completed. The lines, as given by En-
gineer Palmer, came out within an inch
of the point where he had made his loca-
tions. The final stroke will finish one of
the greatest feats of engineering ever
attempted in the history of coal mining.
The detailed report Of the operation
and output of the Connellsville coke
region for the week ended Saturday,
Nov. 3, shows 14,024 active and $3.50 idle
ovens, with total estimated produc-
ton of 139, 5SS tons. Compared with the
production of the previous week, this
was q decrease of 1924 tons. In the
active list there was net decrease Of
$50 ovens. This lessening of the active
list was responsible for the setback in
production. The shipment for the week
aggregated 7,427 cars, consigned as fol-
lows: To Pittsburg and river tipples,
2,S42 cars; to points west of Pittsburg,
$3.50 cars; to points east Of Connells-
vile, 1885 cars. Compared with the
shipments of the previous week, this
was a decrease of fifty-fve cars. The
circular prices of coke are as follows;
Furnace coke, 81; foundry coke, $l.15;
crushed coke, $1.40; all per ton Of 1000
pounds on board cars at ovens.
Tn less than q year, II the present
plans carry, Baltimore will be con-
nected with Washington and Gettys-
burg by electric railways. The company
that will build the road to Washington
has advertised for bids for constructing
,G. 90 4 IL.