New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
THE SUPREMACY OF STEEL.
TT HAS NOW LARGELY COME TO TAKE
THE PLACE OF IRON.


This has been called the age Of steel The
human race in its long and interesting history
has passed through various ages, beginning
with stone then bronze, and afterward iron'
which has given way now to steel. II Is said
that the age Of iron has been holding sway for
three thousand years. and yet II was not until
the middle Of the present century that II MADE
the wonderful strides which resulted In the
marked advancement OF the industry. The iron
bridge is yet nifty years old and the iron
ship and iron building are still younger.
Steel Is taking the place OF iron just az iron
took the place Of bronze and bronze the place OF
stone, and 80 on. In fact, during the last dec
ade steel has come to be used for almost every
purpose for which iron was formerly employed.
In shiphuilding armor- plates building beams
and even kitchenware steel predominates. and Is
fast pushing iron out OF the market American
ingenuity and American enterprise are the cause
for the advancement which has taken place in
this field Of the worlds most important indus
try Not only Is steel more durable than iron.
but II has been reduced greatly In cost Az a
matter of fact steel Is cheaper to-day than iron,
though iron sells for less money ton Amer
lea makes more steel and better, than any other
country In the world. The annual output OF Bes-
semer pig is four times that OF Great Britain
manufactured in Germany. domestic and I'M
ported In cutlery steel the highest plane Of
durability and perfection has been reached But
II is In the realm Of ship armor and armor-
piercing missiles that the nations of the earth
are now obliged 10 come into our markets The
late has given practical lesson 10 the
world Of the American shpbuder and his arma-
ment Not only has Japan placed orders with
our big institutions, but Russia, one or the
greatest Powers OF Europe. has recognized
American supremacy by making contracts with
bir,h1 for Orr1a Of he
sea-hghters that have Yet been designed. The
wonderful trip Of the Oregon around the Cape
from the Pacific to the Atlantic was feat
which was heralded 10 every corner Of the globe.
The iron and steel trade Of Greater New-fork
is Of vast almost Unreasonable proportions II
is almost unreasonable because the FACTORS or
the calculation are difficult II not impossible 10
obtain TIE annual output Of iron and steel in
the United States is definitely known, and
though little Of either is produced within the
State Of New-York. much of the business con-
nected with the output as far north as Lake
Superior and as far south as Alabama Is trans
acted In the metropolis All OF the great pro-
ducing firms and companies have their agencies
IN this city. Supplies for the mines, the foun-
dries the FORCES. are in many cases purchased
here and in some case. altogether while orders
are placed here almost every week for rails ana
other products required in every part OF this
broad land.
The peculiar circumstances under which the
iron and steel trade Is conducted render II i'm
possible 10 state accurate figures. but IT Is safe
United States is done In New-York. The state
OF New-York has a small output as compared
with Pennsylvania which each year makes hum
dreds Of thousancs-yes, millions-of tons. The
business is done. as already shown. In New
York The iron and steel trade of New-York
City which Is involved In the consumption in
and around the city. the demand for export and
the quantity consumed through the purchasing
DEPARTMENTS Of the railroad and other compa-
niles having headquarters here are estimated at
ahou; S3S 600 600 The most important Of the
steel products are steel rails. plates and sheets.
castings bariron ingots architectural steel and
carwheels With the exception Of architectural
steel every one In the list appears among the
articles exported. The most important item is
that OF steel rails In the way Of architectural
steel New-York has been consuming In her
building operations al least an average or
1sO OOO tons year. Many Of the large sky
scraners take from 1000 10 5000 tons each.
Important as has been the Iron and steel in
dustry IN the past. II has future In which
there are unlimited possibilities. There is
unusual activity in the trade al the close of the
present wear which has witnessed among other
things. the formation Of gigantic steel trust.
With capital Of S200.OOO.000