The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-12-21
NO DECREASE
In DEMAND FOR
IRON PRODUCTS

Special Dispatch to the Intelligence.
NEW YORK, Dec. 20-The threat
ened paralysis to manufacturing indus
tries In the Eastern territory because
OF the freight congestion on various rail-
roads was by far the most important
development In the steel industry Last
week As applied to mills. fOundries and
furnaces on the Eastern seaboard. Fortu-
nAteiy pittsburgh was but slightly af-
fected by New York local conditions
consequently the steel companies were
able 70 make Roadway against an avail
anche OF specifications and new bust
ness. Notwithstanding the snowstorm
ana Otherwise unfavorabie weather Il II
understood that the large steel compan-
les were able to Increase output beyond
any previous record. The new Duluth
plant OF the Minnesota Steel Company
II now operating on n commercial basis
ana output OF ingots from that source
helped the Steel Corporation to give bet
ter service to its finishing mills. Some
OF the large independent steel compan-
les have also gained benefit from blow
Ing In OF new oren hearth furnaces. not
ably 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. 1t Is notable that the
export Inquiries. especially for war mu-
nitions. have increased in proportion TO
the refusal to accept new contracts. Do
nestle buyers have been little less i'm
Fortunate.
The railroads have been placing fewer
orders for equipment since the first Of
the month. and even November contracts
have been reduced by Withdrawals ana
cancellations. II Is notable that domes-
tic railroads last week placed contracts
for only $500 tons OF standard section
rails. while $4,000 tons were bought for
export. However. $4,000 tons OF the lat
ter tonnage was included IN the previous
weeks total Railroad bridge contracts
placed called for less than I 900 tons OF
structural steel. Few equipment orders
OF moment are expected TO be closed be,
fore che end OF the year
One OF the most interesting develop
ments last week was the placing % con-
tracts for $4,000 tons OF fabricated struc-
tural steel. and 10 600 tons additional ar
on the point % being closed. The heavi-
est tonnage came from the release OF or
derS for subway and elevated railway
work. as previously noted. Contract
for about {. 900 tons came to the surface
on SATURDAY. Including $500 tons for a
srnelter at A1o. Ariz.. for the Calumet
and Arizona Mining Company awarded
10 the Kansas CITY Structural steel
company. and 300 tons for n SOAP fac
tory AZ the Union Stock Yards ChicaFt
FOR Armour & Co. placed with Hansei
and Elcock. The Studebaker Corpora
tion has placed n contract for forge
shop At Detroit. calling for asa tons OF
steel with the Wisconsin Fridge Com
pany. The Corn Products Refining Com
pany has placed an order for $50 tons 81
steel shapes for an addition 20 factors
No. 30 at A-go. Ill. with the South Hah-
stead Street Iron Works
II H. Interesting to note that Russia
has put out a new inquiry for 1000 zoe
high explosive shells and that the Cana,
dian Shell Commission g. Vet to swari
contracts for 10 900. 900 shells running
from 20 inches I'm diameter There
are numerous other inquiries FOR projec
tiles. aRgreFating about = 1000 600. IN lot,
~ from 100000 20 100000 each. run.
ming from . 10 inches IN diameter.
Activity In pig iron continued on ths
Eastern seaboard and along the Grea'
Lakes but there was less activity nj
Pittsburgh or in tho South although
some liberal orders for Southern iror
Were placed for Northern shipment. Al
Buffalo No. y foundry has advanced
about so cents DER ton. with sales al
SO 20 $50. At Chicago SIS 90 SO a. be
ing paid. In eastern Pennsylvania No.
foundry sells a. $3.50 90 SO Virgins
iron is commanding &1s.75 60 ST.. while
81 Alabama sales have been made be
tween Si4 and SIS for No. . FOR variou,
shipments over 1915.