New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-16
FORTY PER CENT GAINED ALREADY


The progress of the Nation toward better days
makes for itself each week new record, which
gives to the apostles Of disaster more explana-
tory labor and more wear and tear OF con-
science 1t has long been recognized that the
production of pigron was one OF the best indi-
cations of general prosperity. In later years IT
has needed coupling with the return OF unsold
stocks, so that the quantity added to or taken
from stores for future consumption may be
shown, but thus 1t exhibits clearly the actual
demand for consumption In the greatest OF all
manufacturing industries, and one which re-
fleets more accurately than any other general
changes In the industrial condition OF the Ma
ton. The bare fact that the consumption of
iron in manufacture appears TO have increased
DO per cent since last June Is therefore proof
of a remarkable increase in demand for prod
ucts which enter into every house and shop, Tor
nails and screws as for beams and machinery.
for agricultural implements and wire fences as
for ship plates and steel rails.
The production October was 2OO.12S tons
weekly. against 1896 September l. and be-
sides this increase OF l4,G22 tons in weekly out
nut there was decrease of 172.5S3 tons during
the month. or 40.211 tons weekly in unsold
stocks. Assuming that the months production
was about the average of returns at its begin
ming and its end, the apparent consumption has
averaged $4,000 tons weekly. which is consid-
erably larger than at any previous period. In
the spasmodic performance of the fall or 1879
the unsold stocks increased with production at
no time as large as the apparent consumption
was last month, and in 1892, while temporary
causes checked production in September. 1t was
in no month as large within 5000 tons weekly
say that the manufacture Of iron and steel into
forms for use Is now In quantity greater than
at any previous time, but since October there
has been a further expansion, not speculative
nor Eighty, but based upon demand so large
that in nesrly all lines there Is widespread COM
plant Of delays in delivery.
In June last the average weekly production
of pig-iron was about 10000 tons. and stocks
uusold changed very little. The actual con-
sumption in manufacture was therefore not far
from that quantity, and has Increased about 40
per cent from July to October ]. II VIII not
be forgotten by people OF intelligence that this
means great addition 10 the working force
and to the purchasing power of the millions OF
vace.earnery. Because Of this enormous de-
mand iron mines are pushed to the largest out
nut ever known in the Lake region. and ship
ming on the lakes Is so crowded that the Rookie
Teller company has placed contracts for an
other steamer and two consorts larger than any
vessels yet afioat on the lakes and capable OF
moving 10000 tons at a trip. AT the same time
the miners OF coal and limestone. the producers
Of coke and the workers In many other branches
are gladdened with larger employment and
earnings because Of the expansion in production
Of iron.
This Is but one industry, and there are many
others which date new life and unprecedented
production from the passage OF the Republican
tariff in 1890. The revival of Protection on the
same principles has brought back. almost II
by magic, a higher Industrial production and
larger volume Of business than was attained