Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-10

PITTSBURG, PA, August 9.-The
American Manufacturer and Iron World
tomorrow will say:
The largest pig iron tonnage in the
history of the United States was produc-
ed during the month of July, the esti-
mated production and the capacity be-
ing figured up to August 1. In gross
tons the estimated weekly output was
269,03 tons on August l, as against
256,S78 tons for the month previous,
which shows an increase of II, 154 tons
in weekly tonnage. The limit to produc-
ton has not ben reached, however, as
number of furnaces went out OF blast
last month and new ones building are
soon to be fired.
During the last month there was an
increase of one active charcoal furnace
and ne weekly capacity was increased
$40 tons. The active anthracite and
coke furnaces increased three, but the
capacity decreased 173 tons. Ten coke
and bituminou5 furnaces were put on
the active list and these increased the
weekly production to II ,987 tons, max
ing the net increase 12,145 gross tons
per week.
Comparing this with the output for
the month ending August l, 1898, when
the weekly output was 210,25S tons, We
have an increase in tonnage of 58,744
tons in the weekly production compared
with August of 1897, when 1877 ,26S tons
were produced. Tie increase is 101,-
764 tons.
The same paper also will say:
There has been considerable feeling
around among furnace operators and
manufacturers of finished material to
ascertain if it is safe to advance prices
another notch. Prudence demands a
halt until buyers become accustomed to
present prices. Operators know this
better than any one else.
One of the surprises Of the week was
accorded a Pittsburg broker. 1t has
been bruited about that no Bessemer
pig iron could be had at any price for
immediate or future delivery inside of
1899. The broker bought 1000 tons of
pig iron at Valley furnaces at $21 and
was offered an equal quantity at the
same price for almost immediate deliv-
cry, in fact, the first lot called for
prompt shipment. The Bessemer pig
makers have been itching for the past
month to advance the price to $21.00 in
the Valleys and buyers have been led
to believe that none could be had for
even twice the market price. The out
put of the Valley furnaces never was so
large in the history of the iron trade.
The coke shipment for July was the
largest in the history of the Connells-
vile region. The Pennsylvania mills
must be crowded with orders for
light rails when they maintain price
of $42 to $44 against that of $31 quot
ed by Chicago makers.
y
and the greatest scramble on record
for coal properties is on. This also
holds good in the Connellsville region,
where all the large concerns are seek
ing to entrench themselves against
future short supply of coke.
Iron bars have advanced 81 per ton
this week in Chicago Old material
is a little higher in all parts of the
country. The advance in foundry pig
last week was not sustained In st.
Louis. and prices have dropped a little
in consequence. The local iron and
steel market otherwise remains firm.
The only other change in prices is an
advance of 10 cents in bar iron, which
now sells at 81 to $500 New orders
continue to come in faster than the old
npac oop ha EIloJ