The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-02
ROMANCE IN STEEL
Wonderful Strides to the Front
Made by the United States.
Rapid FALL-oFF OF ENGLAND
Table Giving the Production of Pig
... Iron in All Lands From
1865 to 1901.

Building, Washington.
Washington June 1.-The commanding
position of the United States in the pro-
duction and manufacture of iron and steel
Is illustrated by some figures published
in the London Commercial Intelligence, d
copy Of which has just reached the treas
ury bureau of statistics. ..s
The worlds total product of pig iron
in 1901, it says, amounted to 40,40S,00O
tons, Of which the United States contr1-
buted 15,S7S000 tons, the United Kingdom
7,74O. 900 tons. Germany 100000 tons,
Russia 300, 900 tons. France 1852. 900 tons,
and the remainder of the world 1856, 900
tons. Comparing the product OF 19Ol
with that of the annual average for the
hve-year period, 1S66-1S70, it will be seen
that the United States has increased its
iron steel output far mere rapidly than
any other nation, the figures being United
States, from 1,464 900 to 15,S7S, 600 tons, al
increase of 9S5 per cent; United Kingdom,
from o.133 900 to 7,750, 900 tons, an increase
OF 81 per cent; Germany, from 1.226,OO TO
1850 tons, an increase of 525 per cent,
and the entire world, exclusive of the
countries mentioned, from 2,71O,O0O' to
9,l17 900 tons, an increase of 236 per cent.
An even more noticeable feature of this
growth pointed out by the authority from
which these figures are quoted, Is the
steady and enormous growth OF the pro-
portion of the worlds product supplied
by the United States and the equally
rapid decadence in the position held by
Groat Britain. Thirty-nve years ago the
United Kingdom produced practically
one-half Of the worlds pig iron, while
the United States produced less than one
seventh CT the total; whereas, in 1901,
the United States stood first in its pro-
portion of the total, contributing practi-
cally four-tenths, against less than
two tenthS by the United KINGDOM and
about the same share by Germany.
In the five-year period. 1S66-1S7O, the
worlds per capita consumption of pig
Iron was seventeen pounds: in 1901, it
was hfty-seven pounds, while in the lat
ter year the United States consumed 455
pounds per capita, and the United King
dom $50 pounds per capita,
The effect of this remarkable increase
IN the production of iron in the United
States has been strongly marked in its
relation to our foreign commerce. I'm
ports Of iron and steel manufactures In
1882 amounted to 67,976,S97 and formed
9.3 per cent of the total IMPORTS in 1901
they had fallen to $17,S74,7S9 and formed
but 20 per cent of the total Imports On
the other hand, our exports of iron and
steel manufactures have grown during the
same time from 800, 74S, 206 in 1882 to SILT,
319,320 in 1901. They formed in 1882
about per cent of the total exports, and
10 per cent Of the manufactures ex-
ported, while in 1901 they formed per
cent OF the total exports and % per cent
OF the manufactures exported.
The following table shows the produc-
ton of pig iron in the United States,
United Kingdom, Germany, and all other
countries at quinquennial periods from
1865 to 1901, stated in gross tons
United United All other
Year States Kingdom Germany Countries