The age-herald., 1901-07-14
FIXING PRICES
 OF STEEL RAILS The Large Concerns Will Take
 Action Jointly
  AS TO TENNESSEE COMPANY Staten ent is Made That 1t Did Not Enter Combination on Account of the Uncertainty of Shipments.
 An Interview.
AS TO TENNESSEE COMPANY

Considerable interest is Eeing shown In the probable action of the large steel manufacturers with respect to the fixing of a price for rails for the coming year. The recent statement that the price had been arranged is denied.
 It is a fact, however, that the steel companies have opened their books for orders for delivery in 1902 at the old price of s2S per ton. This probably gave rise to the rumor of a fixed price being made.
 The New York Commercial publishes an interview with prominent steel man in which the statement is made that the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Com pany did not enter the contest on account of the indefiniteness about the time it will be able to begin shipments. A local official of the company stated that to a certain extent this was true, but the com pany would be in a position to make 1902 contracts It will probably begin ship ments before that time.
 The published statement from the Com mercial is as follows
 Governed by Supply.
 "A representative of one of the largest steel rail companies said today:
 expectations will be governed by the supply and demand, and the price may be changed before the close of the month. Orders for delivery in 1902 are not coming in rapidly, so the prevailing rate is likely to be maintained some time. From inqui- ries received railroad construction will be conducted on a larger scale next year than in any preceding year. It gives promise even to exceed that of this season, and now the mills are booked with orders to January 1. This led to opening books earlier than usual.'
 "The fact of the matter is,'' said steel rail manufacturer. "we were unable to supply buyers who wished to have their rails delivered this year, and our only all formative was to fix the price for 1902. Con- sumers can now place orders at BPS ton for delivery any time next year. but there is no telling when that quotation will be changed.''
 The Iron Age of yesterday said: From the standpoint of the mills the situation is very strong. In reality there are only four parties now-the United States Steel Corporation, the Pennsylvania-Cambr interests the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company and Jones-Laughins. Ltd The Lackawanna will not be in shape to re- sume in Buffalo until the early summer of 1902 and the starting of the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company's rail mill is too indefinite to allow it to become a factor for some time HAAS yet little business ap- pears to hayti bee1f lhooked. Southern roads which sln lay eir rails the year around ara IaSely to Home in first. All the mills arg crowded with work and will probably not De- able to do much new business of Importance before November or Decem Der deliveryfe
 It was Asaid today t11at the Colorado Fuel and Iron gonpaqy, which is not a member of. the so-ca1Ied pool, has been getting & ton above current quotations for its steel rafls. Ixwas explained that Its geopfaphicaf location and freight ad- vantages enable 1t to get a better price than ca gsfernI conoerns. All its mills are sold up t5 Januafy 1. Its capacity is about 3so6oQ tons, which will be increased to at seast soo,oo6 tons when delivery for rails for1sos bsgirsA