The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-31
ABOUT STEEL AND STEAMERS
Events In the Mining, Carrying and
Handling of Ores.

Cleveland. O., March 3O.-In connection
with the scarcity of steel. the Iron Trade
Review says: 1.-THE future of the billet
and shee bar trade of the central west
has been a matter of interest since the
formation of the National Steel compa-
ny. The close relation between this COM
pany and the American Tin Plate cimpa-
ny appeared on an inspection of the direc-
torate of each; yet the American Tin
Plate company's consumption of sheet
bars, even though it should buy all from
the National Steel company, would be
only about one-fourth the latter's output
of steel. Contracts for a term of years
by which a part Of the tin plate compa-
ny's 425 600 to 10000 tons will come from
other sources are matter of common IN
derstanding in the trade. It is plain,
therefore, that the National Steel COM
pany is to manufacture and sell steel in
the general market in the same way that
the business was conducted by the con-
stituent companies. 1t is understood that
the policy of the company, as 1t will be
developed under the well known steel
manufacturers who are active in its man.
agement. will involve no change in the
operations of the constituent companies,
nor will it change their relations with the
customers who have depended upon them
heretofore for material 1t is the evident
purpose Of the new company to preserve
hte old regime in its relation to the buy
ing trade"
The Review says it is understood that
some obstacle in connection with the f.
nancing of the rolling mill combine has
been encountered. but the definite action
is looked for shortly.
The Marine Review says: The vessel
owner OF the lakes who has no connec-
ton with producing or consuming inter-
ests in iron ore attaches considerable sig
nificance to the sale, within the past few
DAYS. of seven steel steamers. known as
the Wolvin fleet. to two of the big steel
combinations This purchase means first,
that the steel interests are willing 10 pay
high prices for modern freight CARRIERS in
order 70 Immediately strengthen them
selves in the struggle that is going on
for industrial supremacy. It means also
that the transportation Of ore, alike 20
other branches Of the iron industry. is 10
be eventually controlled by the c0mbina-
tons 10 a far greater extent than was
expected q short time ago.
The paper says that TWO vessels Of the
Wolvin feet now building at Lorain, have
been sold 10 the Federal Steel company,
and that the remaining five were pur-
chased by the American Steel and Wire
At a conference Of longshoremen here,
at which all ore-receiving ports were rep
resented. Il has been decided 10 demand
that the ore unloaders' sale be advanced
"a lie. Cleveland ore handlers received 70
cents last year. while the rate al other
ports was &C Il is said the vesseinen
are not inclined to grant the advance and
a strike may take place as soon as navi-
CATION opens. This would affect about
8 90 men and a very large number OF
lake vessels Subsequently today a joint
convention Of the ore sh0ye}ers and lun-
Der ard coal handlers was held. Cnani-
nous action was agreed 70 by the 1hree
branches of the organization. The lumber
carriers national organization has rneTn-
be-ship Of about q 40 The membership
OF the ore handlers organization exceeds
6aaa and TIE coal handlers number go
President D. J. keiff. % The international
union. said today: The L>onsshoremens'
union is stronger than X has ever been
before Three national unions. the Gre
coal and lumber handlers. are affiliated
under one head. AL viii sand together
and they VII compel the vesseimen 20
grant them a slight advance in wages
a strike vii involve about = 200 long
shnrarner