The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1911-07-17

In the last three months the corpora
ton has been shipping to domestic and
foreign consumers at the rate of about
100000 tons a. year, although recently
the rate has been higher. Deducting
the 100000 tons a year in foreign
shipments there would remain 1000, 900
tons year for domestic delivery. That
there is plenty of room for expansion
so far as domestic business Is concern
ed is evident, because in no year since
the organization of the corporation
have total shipments. DOMESTIC and for
eign, fallen below 100000 tons, the
low level having been reached in the
depressed year of 1904.
Railroads Get Busy.
There has been decided improve
ment in the railroad equipment market,
both in orders and inquiries for new
rolling stock. This is believed to be
the beginning of a general increase in
demand on the part of the railroads for
cars and locomotives. which should
continue for some time. after an almost
unprecedented slackness of business
during the last six months.
Plants of the various equipment COM
panies are averaging about 35 per cent
of capacity, and this ratio should con-
lof the increase in orders. it takes
from sixty to ninety days for the car
land locomotive builders to make sub
lconstracts and obtain deliveries on the
requisite amount OF materials needed
. before they can began actual construc-
ton on contracts. Prices for equip
ment, which have been at the lowest
possible level for six months past.
should begin to feel the effect of the
increased demand within short time
and rise accordingly
| Conflicting aspects are seen in the
pig iron situation by Iron Age. The
/, Eastern Iron Association reports a
heavier decrease in June in stocks OF
e pig iron held by blast furnaces than
In any previous month this year. Mem
!, bers of that association who have beer
taking business at concessions now
. practically have withdrawn from the
I. market. In the Birmingham district II
: Alabama in June an increase of only
D 700 tons in pig iron stocks was made
: the movement from furnace yards hav-
l. ing exceeded exectations.
Tonnage Increase Shown.
One encouraging feature in recen
developments is the apparent steady
gain in the steel industry the pressure
lOI SpeClnCdIiOnS on contracts Tor nnlSn
ed steel products having caused a rapit
. recovery in steel mill operations sine,
. the first of the month. The caurren
lmonth started with 10 per cent stee
lingot capacity, which was followed i'm
mediately by a perpendicular drop o
lao per cent, due to holidays and to nee
Iessary midyear repairs. Since then TIL
= activity has picked op until the opera
. tions are at the rate of 81 per cent o
= steel capacity, and with probabilit
= that this will be increased to 73 pc
D cent early next week. This is encour
aging. The untitled tonnage shove
= a substantial increase at the end j
June.
~ While the railroads continue to be /
the dumps and are curtailing rgidl
: crop conditions are contributing to
. better mental state in the bushes
world The wheat and cotton are til
sentiment making crops of the countr.
- and that the progress N.ade 80 far hs
- created a better sentiment is refecte
rather clearly in the steel industr
With regard to corn, 1t may be pointe
- out that last years harvest of 1900
=, 100000 but could be shaded as much 6
- 25 per cent and still leave a large yiel