The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-06-19
STEEL MILLS ARE NOW RUNNING
ON 80 PER CENT BASIS
INQUIRY FOR IRON IMPROVES
United States Steel Company Book
ing Heavy 0rders---Prices
Are Going Up

over are steadily broadening. In the
Pittsburgh Pa, district the mills are
estimated to be running on basis of
so per cent of capacity, the highest in
more than fifteen months.
Inquiry for all kinds OF materials is
reported to be imp owing. and 1t is now
expected that outputs of various prod
ucts during April will show large i'm
crease over last month. AS an indica-
tion OF conditions, il is mentioned that
preparations are being made for start
ing the Sharon works of the Carnegie
Steel company IL is also stated that
the Sharon works of the American
Steel foundries company, which have
been idle for the last seven months,
will start operations within the next
two weeks. With the resumption Of
these two plants, practically every In
dustrial concern in Sharon and FAR
rell districts will be operating at nor
NAL capacity.
Large inquiry for steel for war mu-
nitions continues and the closing OF
some important contracts is looked for
/ before the end Of the current month.
Export demand is also heavier and
1.-THE only drawback to great exten-
sion in business in IL is lack OF ship
ping facilities The influx OF foreign
steel buying has resulted in heavy
increase OF orders TO the Lackawana
Steel company. Russia has bought
over 10000 tons of steel rails from 1t
and there are still many inquiries in
hand from there. Il being figured out
that orders for 100000 tons will
finally be placed by that country.
Heavy orders for commercial steel
are said to have been booked by the
United States Steel COZ poration since
June 1. This, together with steel re-
quired for the manufacture OF war mu-
nitions. is responsible for the operat-
ing OF its ingot mills at above so per
cent OF capacity The corporation is
receiving high prices for its export
business, which is in strong contrast
with some previous years when II was
necessary to sell steel abroad at prices
below domestic quotations. II is be-
lieved by authorities in the steel trade
that export business has come to stay,
while the war lasts at least Any fur
ther Improvement i'm domestic demand,
would, II is thought. find steel plants
OF the country operating at close to
capicity Some manufacturers hold
though. that even 80 per cent OF capac-
ity would lead to scarcity in the
labor market as result Of the thou
sands )of laborers who have gone to
fight in Europe.
a banker. who is closely In touch
with sales OF ammunition and other
such materials to Europe, estimates
that contracts have already been
closed for the manufacture In this
country OF close to 5000. 900 shrapnel
shells. Orders for 10000, 900 more are
pending. which would bring the value
Iof those products up to not far from
$500. 900, 900
Referring TO the general situation I'm
the trade, the Iron Age says
i Increase In steel works output is
again confirmed by the figures OF pig
iron production. the blast furnaces Of
the steal companies making 10000
tons more in May than in April. The
total pig iron output last month was
2.263.470 tons. or 1905 tons day,
against 2,1l6.491 tons in April. or TO-
$50 tons a day. With 2o5 furnaces in
blast June 1. or ten more than on May
]. the active capacity was 74.343 tons.
against 1855 tons one month p.evi-
GUS Pig iron production is now at
the rate of 27.40o.0oo tons year. On
April !. Il was At 2s.oo0.oO0 tons. and
on Jan al lS.ooo.oo tons yean
THE makers OF all galvanized steel
products are at sea over speIter. but
are beyond capacity for surprise at
any price Galvanized sheets have gone
20 t.75c and &c for No Is. and 10 many
directions business has como 10 halt.
MAY contracts are being filled az a
loss. a vigorous campaign has been
started by sheet producers a substl-
tuie phlnted black sheets for gal
vanized
Export Inquiry for Tin plates