The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1912-05-23
HEAVY STEEL
PRODUCTION
Percentage to Full Capacity
Highest on Record.

Steel manufacturers have slightly in
creased the percentage of production,
and 1t is now at the highest point in
the history of the industry. The steel
corporation has increased production
fraction over 95 per cent of full capaci-
ty. which is about as high a rate as can
be maintained There is now smaller
margin between rated and actual out
put than ever before.
Steel For Locomotives
Plates. shapes and several other
classes of steel products, which are
scheduled for further advances within a
few weeks, were heavily bought yester-
day and new inquiries before the mar
ket indicate that there viii be great
rush to buy steel while it can be OBJ
tanned at lower prices. The railroads,
however, show a tendency to hold back
on their equipment buying as the man.
ufacturers have more orders for cars
than they can handle a. present and so
are asking higher prices. Car and To-
connective orders pending call for over
100000 tons of finished steel to fill. Rail
orders are not being held back as rail-
road requirements will mean increased
business for the steel companies in
stead of a falling off as was predicted
several weeks ago
Big Summer Business.
There is so much business on the
books or ahead of the steel companies
that 1t is probable that the same
amount of work that will be done dur
ing the summer months as at present,
instead of the usual sowing down to
allow the workmen leave of absence.
Deliveries have fallen far behind sched-
ules. and as there is an increase instead
of failing off in new business the
manufacturers are booked ahead now
for from three to six months work at
nearly full production rates.
The tin plate advance to $3.50 per 100
pounds. 81 ton higher than formerly.
has been generally met by consumers
and new orders and inquiries are plenti-
full. Independent companies have ev-
erywhere made similar advances in tin
plate prices Record shipments are be-
ing made by the steel corporation in
tin plate and in sheets at rate of over
100000 tons a year 1t is expected
that there will soon be an advance in
sheet prices, as the recent advance has
proven effective with consumers willing
to pay the higher rate.
Record Year Is Here.
The Phillips Sheet and Tin Plate
VIII ISpenO SIsVUV,UUu IN en-
larging its plant and will engage in pig
iron and steel manufacture. A blast
furnace of $50 tons day capacity and
an open hearth steel plant capable of
supplying the company's entire require
| ments of sheet and tin plate bars will
be built.
Calumet region reports indicate that
there has been a slight decrease in the
volume of new business booked in that
vicinity by steel and iron interests. but
| all mills are running at practically full
capacity, with Indications that 1912 will
be a record year for the district Prices
are firm at s1.43 per 100 pounds for
plates and shapes and s1.3S for bars
without any reports of shading in the
market.
Although there has not been much
| activity in pig iron recently, prices are
| firm, with a tendency to advance upon
the first sign of new buying interest
| Stocks on hand in furnace yards have
| been decreased to less than so per cen,
| of the amount on hand Jan. l. Con
| tracts since May 1 have aggregated
about $4,000 tons of various grades oi
J pig iron.