The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-12
FRANCE BUYS STEEL
FOR SHELL MAKING
Takes 100000 Tons Of Metal
and Is i'm Market Here for
as Much More.

The French Government last week
was the most prominent purchaser or
ST eli to be used in the manufacture OF
projectiles. OF the 10000 tons placed
under contract nearly 100000 tons were
for France and about 1000 tons OF this
total were for direct export. the shells
to be manufactured in Europe. II Is
significant that In the purchases were
10000 tons OF blooms, which indicates
that 6 inch and larger shells are being
made to "A greater extent than earlier
in the war. There were also several
purchases of billets for direct export.
U'pon the basis Of shrapnel the 100000
tons Of steel purchased would mean
about 1000, 900 shells. but with the
larger tonnage allowance for the high
explosive shells the purchases for the
week were equivalent to the require
ment OF about 10000, 900 shells, less
than half OF which will be manufac-
,ured in this country. The steel manu-
lecturers alone Will get benefit TO the
extent Of $1,000, 900 from these orders.
France has put out inquiries In the
last three days for an additional loO,-
600 tons of steel for use In the manu-
facture of wal munitions These IN
ouIrles call for 10000 tons of blooms,
10000 tons OF billets and bars.
on Saturday Italian interests asked
for 90, 600 tons Of bars for 3 inch shells,
the inquiry coming through a British
firm. =,
Contracts last week were placed much
more slowly than during the preceding
week. when 100000 tons Of steel were
sold rapidly. The inability Of the mills
10 make substantial shipments over the
balance Of the current year Is mainly
responsible for the smaller sales. II Is
interesting to note. however, that offer
l.-. - utaai arA coming from mex
pected sources from this years deliv-
ery. now that prices have advanced TO
an extraordinary level. In other quar-
ters there IL much concern because or
oversclling OF capacity, which may re-
sult I'm default OF deliveries, Thus far
few of the steel mills have failed To
make shipments on contract time Man
! ufacturers of proJectiles. however, are
from two 10 three months in arrears IN
making deliveries OF the finished smells
Aa noted last week. several contracts
for semi finished steel were made foT
| delivery over the first quarter. first hall
| and first etgh Int months OF next year
| In exceptlonal instances ono contract In
yolyed deliveries for direct export over
the whole Of 1915. Relatively, however
only desultory buying has been done
for next year, but there is an enormous
tonnage that must he provided for anc
there Ia small prospect that large con
tracts can now BE- placed for the lasI
quarter of 1915. In the last few days
some urgent inquiries have come from
domestic manufacturers who use wire
and fiat steel as raw material. Usual,
ma nuracturers do no cover their wire re
auircments beyond three months. bu
they are now c~ndeavoring 10 purchase TO
delivery over the first half OF mex
year and IN one or W instances 70
the whole of 1915.
Railroad purchases of equipment las
week will require approximately 10000
tons Of steel, half of which Is for rails
Cont racts are now pending FOR car
which will require $4,000 tons of stee
and prospective rail contracts In the mex
few DAYS aggregate about $4,000 toni
The locomotive builders took order
i'm the last week for eighty locomotives
tie latest contract being ten engine
for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapol'
and Omaha, which will be built by III
American Locomotive Company. TIL
ACNE builders are understood 10 ha,