The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-17
THE STEEL MARKET.
Railroads Reported TO BE in Market
TO BETTER Extent.

Incoming orders for various grades of
finished and semi finished steel continue
to show steady Improvement, but prices
are still very low. The better demand in
most instances has been due TO the efforts
OF producers to stimulate buying through
the reduction in prices. Railroads are re-
ported to be in the market to a better ex-
tent. in most cases Tor material Tor re-
placement work
There seems to have been % lull in pig
iron buying after the recent heavy move
ment, and IL is not expected that a re-
sumption of active demand will be wit
messed before the holidays. Producers con-
tinued to offer CONCESSIONS on sheets and
plates In an effort 10 stimulate business.
Export buying OF steei has shown a little
Improvement recently. but Is still consider
ably below normal.
The Iron Ace says: Buying o. An
ished steel for tho first quarter OF 1915
has increascr somewhat, but 1t Is evident
that December will not put on the books
the volume of new business needed for a
strong revival OF mill operations after
January l. The last two weeks OF the
year from all signs will take their usual
quiet course.
THE situation still fails to develop the
extreme concessions I'm price which mark
the beginning of broad buying movements.
Bars and shapes can be had at Lobe.
Pittsburg for early delivery, and plates
are weaker than either at that price; but
l,lOc holds for first quarter delivery and
a good many bar sales have been made
on that basis.
Concessions on sheets and in tin plates
continue. on the latter. while s3.20 was
named as the season price, the large con-
tracts closed have been at So to So lower.
The requirements Of the leading can in
terest will exceed those for 1914, and In
that industry 1915 Is expected TO make a
new record Competition In sheets has
been sharper, No. 2S black selling below
SOC, while galvanized have gone to
2.75c and in the Chicago district to a
basis OF 2.7Oc., pittshurg.
"a new aud urgent inquiry for barb
wire for expor, has sprung w and In one
case $1,000 tons are wanted for quick
shipment to the war zone II is doubtful
II some OF this demand can be met in the
time set. vet wire mills are looking for
business for the next two or three weeks.
Some OF them have taken on about all
the rod business they will want for four
or Ave months.
The export movement in other lines
is rather stronger Greece has placed
10, 900 tons of steel sleepers with two com =
NAMES An order for IS. 600 steel barrels
has lust followed one for $4,000 at Cleve-
land, Russia Is expected 20 place large
order for cars,
''Stanrdard OIL Company contracts are
being closed including plates and rivets,
bolts and nuts. The plate inquiry is
for 90. 600 tons. In the East 1000 ton,
of plates vii he required In addition Ia
., 600 tons OF shapes. for two standard
OIL tank steamers 20 he built At New
port News. and the Navy Department
will buy 1000 tons Of plates for fuel
oil tanks.
structural business IS more p~omis-
ing but according to the Bridge Build
ers and Structural Societ's estimates,
only 20 per cent. OF the country's ca
pacity was contracted for In November
the lowest rate FOR the year. ~ Chicago
structural steel lettings were 1000 tons
with 1000 tons pending. Cleveland re-
ports 2.lO0 tons placed by automobile
works and $500 tons pending. The Bal
tlnlcre and Ohio bridge az Pttshurg over
the Allegheny River. 1000 tons, Will
soon come up FOR bids. NJ New orleans
bids have been taken on 1900 tons OF
shapes and 5000 tons ot reinforcing
bars for cotton warehouse and dock work
Fabricating prices have not improved, ,
Massachusetts pier contact last week
bringing ont bid Of So per not ton
erected.
The rere Marquette has come into
the market for 1000 tons OF ninety
round rails. NorwaS's award 81 5000
tons is to bc mad, D"ce'uucr Is. A
lttle car work IS coming out. but tr-
years record w. rVr but hitlc over
1000. against ~ 600 lag Near ORDERS
fo- ZOO ar expected tins week. and th-
Pennsylvania VIII 1uIii 1850 box "a :
an its Own hhouS.
"rbe pg iron market has Quoted down
greatly
The Iron TraJ, E,rtc~ says: ICON
tracing for finished materials IL being