The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-13

shows that the weekly capacity of the
coke and anthracite furnaces on Octo-
Der had gone up to 272, 42S gross tons,
or 10,758 tons above the September fig
ure. In other words, the preparations
for production are telling. In the south
a number of small plants will drop in
from month to month but they do not
count for much. Furnace stocks have
declined further, thus showing that con-
sumption is still crowding output
A very serious feature is the great
scarcity of cars which affects the sup
ply OF coke one large plant of three
furnaces has been forced to bank three
times in one month because coke ship
ments were delayed-and this in the
face Of an effort made for months to
accumulate stock for just such emer-
gencies. Every department affecting
the great industry of the central west is
| under such tension that any extra
strain in any direction causes a rup-
ture which discrepancies everything.
The fear of a shortage of ore, of trOu-
bleS over coke supply and of any posi-
bic other contingencies affecting regu-
lar and maximum of pig production is
the one factor which dominates the
trade.
On the other hand, of course, the in
creasing production ought to be reas-
surfing. With the winter before us,
bringing a lessened consumption the
expansion in the output ought to en-
able the furnaces to catch up to deliv-
cries.
While the makers of raw iron are still
behind the consumption, it looks as
| though in some lines of finished iron
and steel the mills are looking for some
tonnage for the first half of 1900.
Cases of this kind are cropping up
and may have some effect in modifying
values
Much is being said about the export
trade The statistics of shipments up to
and including August are referred to as
proving that that outlet is still running
full. But after all that is really like
watching the tail race without keeping
an eye on the head waters.
In many lines new orders have been
scarce for months and sharp drop in
shipments is coming. Tt is well how
ever, to make some exceptions. In the
| wire industry in which the Germans are
! our principal competitors, export sales
! have been heavy in spite of successive
advances aggregating since early Aug
ust about SO per ton.
! The reason is that the Germans are
| good deal worse off than we are in the
| matter of scarcity of raw material and
! we are prohting thereby. AS an indica-
! ton of the pressure on the wire trade.
I we may mention that the leading inter
/ est has ordered 1000 additional blocks
In structural material we are aided
| by the fact that our designs, while am
I ply heavy to meet the strains, are light
/ er than those of other countries. Then,
/ of course, there is the matter of time
/ of delivery, in which we have advant-
| ages even now in certain lines.
/ But to expect that we can maintain
! our rate of tonnage in the export trade
/ at present prices for the next six or
nine months shows a misrepresentation
| Of the situation.
The rail makers are getting good in
quiries and in some cases the require
| ments are unexpectedly large. 1t is
| probable that further advance in prices
| viii take place at an early date.
| In steel the scarcity for prompt de-
! livery continues unabated. As much as
| $4S and $50 per ton has been paid for
| round lots Of basic open hearth steel
| billets.