The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-18

"The representatives of the leading
steel rail manufacturers of the coun-
try are still in this city. and tcday
there was continuation of the discus
sion Of matters in connection with the
steel rail pool" says yesterday after
Moons New York Commercial AdVer-
tiser. while the main points have
been agreed upon for the regulation OF
the steel rail output, the details still
remain to be worked out.
prices, 1t Is said, will be but little
changed, and there is little danger or
decentralization. as happened with the
case of steel billets. although most OF
the members of the steel rail pool are
also members of the billet association.
ut is known that the difficulty of the
present meeting Is to make such di-
vision of the allotment that all VIII
be satisfied. but 1t Is generally believed
that the outcome will be a thorough
understanding.
From an authoritative source 1t was
learned today that all the members
recognized the Importance Of maintain
ing the organization, and that almost
all had manifested Willingness to
compromise. There is still, however.
considerable dissatisfaction expressed
Oh the part of certain representatives
over the allotment, and the adjustment
Of percentages Is yet to be decided Dy
the special committee which was ap-
pointed to consider the case.
QUESTION OF RATES.
"The question Of rates will probably
be taken up late this afternoon, when
the differences of opinion respecting
distribution, production, etc, are to be
adjusted, All Of the manufacturers
are expecting prosperous year, ana
are anxious to have an eiasttc agree
nient admitting of expansion at points
where business IL not 50 profitable, but
where II Is desirable to keep all the
plants in operation.
1T was stated today that the most
important event which has occurred In
the trade for years was the final con-
clusion Just reached of the negotiations
between the Carnegie Steel company
and the Rockefeller interests, by which
the Carnegie company acquires control
of the best properties on the Mesaba
range from the Rockefellers. The
agreement, which was made public to-
day. provides for the shipment of the
ore in the Rockefeller steamers to Con-
meant, where 1t will be 'turnee over to
the new Pittsburg. Besmsemer and
Lake Erie railroad controlled by the
Carnegie company. The transaction, 1t
was said, will have an important eff
feet on the ore pool, which must face
new situation. 1t is understood that
the result will he that the central West
will have to get down to a lower East.
BEAM MANUFACTURERS
1T was announced today that the
beam manufacturers have come tOgeth
er and settled their allotment. The
trade in pig iron has been quiet in all
centers in view of the uncertainty of
the steel billet pool and its future.
From an inside source it was learned
today that although most of the manu-
facturers represented at the conference
are connected with the billet pool moth
ing concerning the latter interest has
been discussed.
I Ky the deal just completed the Car
negie company will be in position to
control over 20 per cent. of the annual
output of pig iron. 1t was further
stated that the announcement today
of the completion of this deal will men,
ace the steel rail pool