The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1912-02-05
STEEL IS IMPROVING
January Proves the Best
Month Experienced in
Industry.

proved the best month ex-
perienced by the iron and steel industry
since the turning point from the decline
In business last fail. In plates. s.ruc-
turals and bars the month was especial
ly good and specifications against prev
ious contracts were unusually heavy.
This is reflected now in the gradual i'm
provement in production. 1t also was
fair month in rail orders, and car 5uy-
ing during the period also displayed
fair activity. 1t is estimated that
January steel orders aggregated 1900
o00 tons, of which one third was rails.
The corporation secured the larger par.
Yet buying by the railroads, especial
ly of steel rails, was not up to normal
and hesitation still is displayed in the
placing of contracts for this commodity
There seems to be considerable bag
Cling over specifications for the stee'
for, though many of the large western
ZOE DIS have specifications under consId-
GRAFTON, there is little or no tonnage
coming out.
Rail Orders Improve.
Although the Pennsylvania is report
ed to have apportioned it's 10000 tons
among the steel mills. no confirma ton
of this rumor has been received. 1t is
stated in these reports that the busi-
ness Is QlNIueu DeIWcen the steel cor
poration. Pennsylvania, Cambria
Lackawannas and Bethlehem Steel COM
panies. Though the exact distribution
is not included, it Is declared the Penn
sylvanfa Steel Company procures $4,000
tons, the corporation more than 10000
tens and the other companies smaller
| tonnages. It understood tina, the Grand
Trunk Railroad has bought 10000 tons
| of standard steel rails and the Chicago
Junction Railway Company $500 tons
| both from the Illinois Steel Company
| The Maryland Steel Company has re-
| ceived contract from the Nortbern
Texas Traction company for $500 tons
of steel rails and plates. for immediate
delivery. The Carnegie Steel Compan,
| has received contracts for 1880 CO,
/ wheels from the Pennsylvania lines.
| Outlook Is Bright.
| Sentiment among the makers now /,
| that a fair tonnage will be Forthcoming
| in all lines during the spring and
summer. though nothing extraordinary
! is expected. Politics. 1T is pointed out
| will be too much of factor to warra n
expecting unusual run of business
| But. makers point out, they cannot ge
away from the fact that the larges
| &C nsumers of steel. the railroads, nav.
ing. Some of the large roads. 1t Is stat
ed. even are GETTING INTO serious con
dition in places, owing to curtailmen
in maintenance allowance for right o
way. The roads have been operating
larger rolling stock and motive power
but many have not increased the weigh
OF the rails proportionately.
Demand for steel products il s.the
lines than rails continues good; In fac
such that almost the entire output o
steel is required to supply the consump
tion OF finished steel products. Tha
! such condition was developing wa
| pointed out before In these column!
| This is borne out further now by tn
fact that practically all western max
ers have gone out of the market o
forging biilets. The reason for this
J that they need all the steel they ca
: get for their finishing mills to suppl
J the demand of the trade for finishe
| products. The demand for plate
among others. is so heavy that difficult
is experienced in getting billets enoug
to satisfy IL. Forging billets, conse
quently. have become rather scarce. an
: the maker can command almost an
price he wishes.