The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-20
NEW MILL RECORDS
SPURRED BY RUSH
Pittsburg Plants Increase
Output ss Eastern Mills
Fear Tieup.
HUNT FOR SHELL X E

Tho threatened paralysis TO manufac-
turing industries In the Eastern territory
because OF the freight congestion on
various railroads vas by Far the most
important development in the steel
industry last week as applied to mills,
foundries and furnaces on the Eastern
seaboard. Fortunately Pttsburg was
but slightly affected by New York local
conditions. consequently the steel COM
panies were able to make Roadway
against an avalanche OF specifications
and new business. Notwithstanding the
snowstornu n otherwise unfavorable
weather II Is understood thai the large
steel companies were able to increase
output beyond any previous record. The
new Duluth plant OF the Minnesota Steel
Company In now operating on a com
mercial basis M output OF ingots from
that source helped the Steel Corporation
to give better service to It's finishing
mills. Some OF the largo independent
steel companies have also gained benefit
from blowing In of new open hearth
furnaces, notably the Bethlehem works
and other plants that have made new
record runs.
There was no decrease In the demand
for finished rolled products either for
domestic shipment or for export, but
the volume OF new business was Of
slightly smaller proportions because the
mills could not promise to make the
deliveries wanted by buyers. II IL
notable that the export inquiries, esl Q
cially for war munitions, have increased
In proportion to the refusal to accept
new contracts. Domestic buyers have
been a little less importunate.
The railroads have been placing fewer
orders for equipment since the first Of
fh.a NAnbth aa
tracts have been reduced by Withdrawals
and cancellations. II Is notable that
domestic railroads last week placed con.
tracts for only $500 tons OF standard
section rails, while 81. 900 tons were
bought for export. However, $1,000
tons OF the latter tonnage was included
In the previous weeks total. Railroad
bridge contracts placed called for less
h 1000 tons Of structural steel. Few
equipment orders of are ex.
pected to be closed before the end Of the
year.
one of the most interesting develop
ments last week was the placing Of con-
tracts for $4,000 tons OF fabricated
structural steel. n 10000 tons addi-
tional are on he point OF being closed.
The heaviest tonnage came from the
release OF orders for subway and eie-
vatsd railway work. As previously noted.
Contracts for about 1000 tons came to
the surface ON Saturday. including $500
tons for "A smelter at AJo. Ariz.. for the
Calumet and Arizona Mining Company,
awarded to the Kansas City Structural
Steel Company, and 900 tons for 4 soap
factory at the Union Stock Yards. Chi.
cago, for Armour & Co, placed with
Hansel and Elcock. The Studebaker
Corporation has placed a contract for a
forge shop at Detroit. calling for $50
tons OF steel. with the Wisconsin Bridge
Company. The Corn Products Refining
Company has placed an order for $50
tom OF steel shapes for an addition to
factory No. 20 at Argo. H.. with the
south Halstead Street Iron Works.
II Is interesting to note that Russia
has put out IA new inquiry for 10000. 900
high explosive shells and that the Ca
madam Shell Commission Is yet to award
contracts for 10000. 900 shells running
from 8 to ? inches In diameter. There
are numerous other inquiries for prof.
~ectiles. aggregating about 5000. 900. In
lots OF from 200.0 900 to 1000. 900 each.
running from 3 to 8 inches In diameter.
Activity in pig iron continued on the
Eastern seaboard and along tho Great
Lakes. but there was less activity at
Pittsburg or In the South although
som, liberal orders for Southern iron
were placed for Northern shipment. Al
Buffalo No. . y foundry has advanced
about 80 cents per ton, with sales at
$40 to SEQ. At Chicago SIS to sls is
being paid in eastern Pennsylvania No.
ginia iron Is commanding Sl6.75 to 81,
while In Alabama sales have been made
between s14 and SIS for No. 2 for
Va riOlS sliDmNntS ONer 1916.