The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-23
RUSSIA SEEKS RAILS
And ITALY MAGNESIUM
Latter Product Wanted for
BOmbS--Order Proves
Hard to Fill.


Several new inquiries for high ex-
plosive shells were put out yesterday
for the first half and the whole of
1916. The prospect Is that these con-
tracts will be closed speedily. The COM
petitive manufacturers are negotiating
with the steel mills for the rounds and
blooms that will he required. One in
quiry Is for 100000 G inch shells weigh
ing about $50 lbs. each. There are
several other smaller inquiries amount
ing to 200, 900 6 inch shells OF the same
weight. The SOC. 900 shells will call for
about 40, 900 tons of steel rounds. All
of the 6 inch shells referred to are for
his Britannia Majesty's Government"
The specifications are to be issued
directly to the mills that furnish the
steel. Unusual care IL being taken to
prevent the specifications getting into
the hands OF others thar those who
actually secure the contracts. Another
inquiry that came out yesterday was for
500. 600 80 inch shells to he manu-
featured to French specifications each
shell will weigh q little over i25 lbs,
or a total OF iO7, 900 tons Of steel. The
British 6 inch shells are for delivery
throughout the entire year of 1915. but
the y inch shells for France are wanted
for delivery during the first half OF
next year. II is significant that Ameri-
can representatives OF the allied Govern
ments are now actively placing con-
tracts for delivery after the first OF
January. Heretofore efforts ave been
mainly centred upon securing deliveries
Of both steel and shells during the
present calendar year.
l.,,aptt, ,,,a ,,,fa,tp,. IL, III. I-ngt
has placed an order for "A little over
5000 tons of steel rounds and billets for
quick shipment, the steel being IN stock
at one OF the Eastern mills. Unusually
high prices were paid for this steel.
which covers miscellaneous lots Of
various analyses. A very unusual offer
ing at the moment is 500 to 1000 tons Of
3 inch to 4 inch steel rounds for October
shipment. II is understood that the
steel was rolled TO French specifications
through an error and consequently the
steel is available for other purposes than
shells for prompt shipment.
The Erie Railroad Company has
placed "a contract for 10000 standard
section rails for early 1915 delivery with
the Illinois Steel Company. The New
York Central Railroad Company j. he.
gotiatlng for Zoe. 600 tons Of rails and
IL is expected that some OF these CON
tracts will be closed within the next few
days. The Norfolk and Western Rail
road Company has placed u contrlc; 10:
thirty locomotives with the American
Locomotive Company. The Boston and
Maine has put out an inquiry Tor one
small bridge span and the New Nurl;
Central asks for bids Oh three bridges.
The Russian Government is understood
to have placed n small supplemental or
der for forty-tWo pound !s.l> with tie
L.ackawanna Steel Company, There were
rumors Of much heavier purchases but
these are denied. Thus far Russia has
purchased oniy $4,000 of the 10000 tons
OF the iorty-two pound rail for which
inquiries were issued sixty days ago. The
~rig!na inquiry was for zoo, GOO tons Of
light section rails.
Tie Minatowoc Shipbutld.ug and Dry
Dock Company is reported TO have taken
a contract for the Coast and GeodetiC
Survey BOA Surveyor. the contract price
being Sl>9, ooO.
Arrangements are about complete,
for the construction of the Union
Station and grade separation at
q cleveland. which Will call FOR the
expenditure of $25, 600, 900. The city
Of Cleveland and the Pennsylvania
and New York Central railroad
systems are parties to the negotiations
II is understood that the city OF Cleve-
land and the New York Central Railroad
Company have come TO an amicahle ar
arrangement, and that negotiations are
now TO he taken up with the Pennsyl'
yauia officials. Preliminary negotiations
indicate that the plans will De consum'
mated and specifications issued In No
vembcr and possibly earlier.
Agents Of the Italian Government are
actively seeking to place contracts here
for about twelve tons OF powdered mag
nesium to be used in the manufacture
of Illuminating bombs. According 10
reports received yesterday the produc-
ton in this country does not exceed
four tons a month. There seems IL
be considerable difficulty in placing the
order.
Milliken Bros. Inc. have taken a cons
tract for "A sugar mill to be erected II
cuba calling for 100 tons of fabri'
Gated structural steel. The same fabri'
Gators are now ON the point OF closing
several thousand tons OF steel cOlumn'
for a New York contractor.
The city of Chicago has placed "A con-
tract for 1000 tons of 4 inch TO l2 incl
cast iron pipe with the Glamorgan Pip,
and Foundry Company OF Lynchburg
Va. The contract price was s24.20 pc
ton delivered. The city OF Chicago I,
also taking bids on 92l tons of 5 inch t,
IL inch pipe. The city OF Christopher
Ill, has given an order for 500 tons o
4 inch to 10 inch pipe TO the United
States Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry Com
pany AT $24.65 per ton for 4 inch anC
s23,65 delivered for the larger sizes
The Panama Canal Commission will re
ceive tenders for AS tons OF 4 inch Il
"a inch cast iron pipe for delivery II
the Canal Zone on Friday. The cit!
OF Royersford, Pa, will receive bid
next Saturday on 225 tons ~ 6 inch e