New Britain herald., 1915-11-11
UNPARALLELED LEAP
 IN STEEL TRADE
Demand Is Great Despite Advance
 Of Prices

New York, Nov. 11.-The Iron Age says today:
 The Steel Corporations statement that it's untitled orders increased SAY, 900 tons last month gave the first definite measure of the steel trades This is an unparalleled record but is thus only in keeping with all other developments in the current market:
 Price advances have had no effect of curtailing demand; it is in fact heavier now than at any other stage in the present remarkable movement. Tn the past week pig iron, billets and a number of finished products have gone higher. In general, Northern pig irons are soc a ton higher, bil- lets and sheet bars $1, forging bil- lets s3, bars, plates and shapes S2. light rails $2.50, spikes $3, bands. $1, shafting $6 and some grades of scrap soc to $1.
 Scarcity of Material.
 The scarcity of certain forms of material is more serious than the ad- vances in price. Output of some manufacturing consumers is likely to be curtailed because steel cannot be had
 In the flood of orders in October domestic business figured to a larger extent than in many months. Ex- ports in September of products re- ported by weight were 3S1, 900 tons, against 4O1,OOO tons in August Values of all iron and steel exports including machinery, were $3S,400,- 900, against $37,727.0OO in August. The scarcity of vessel room may have prevented the increase looked for in September but the statistics raise the question whether the war export movement has reached it's height.
 Prices Advance.
 Shipments under bar, plate and shape contracts are being made at $5 to $S a ton below the new 1.60c, Pitts burg level. Consequently specifica- tions are exceedingly heavy and some consumers may be able to add to their stocks in this way, but they are the exception. Warehouse prices have advanced $3 a ton for leading prod ucts and the demand upon such stocks has grown rapidly as mills have been compelled to turn buyers away.
 Plate mills are now in stronger po- sition than structural mills, is on large business in shapes 1.55c, Pittsburg could be done, and probably 1.5Oc, while plates and bars are stiff at 1.6Oc. In vessel plates the demand has rolled up to imposing propor- tions, 20,000 tons having just been closed in the East. There was also a 20,OOO-ton contract with the Stand ard Oil Company for the first half of 1916
 Plates For Japan.
 Plates for Japan's large progra m of merchant vessel building for Ha- cific trade have been shipped in large quantities from the Central West ana heavy shipments are yet to be made.
 Some urgent inquiries for war bars are up, and in the past week on 26,- 900 tons for France. for which de- livery was wanted within two or three months, $15 a ton above the market was offered but no mill could take the order.
 Deliveries on some of the cars now under inquiry will depend more on steel mills than on car shops. About 16,5OO cars were placed in the week and roundly 35,0OO are before the market. Railroads will feel the pinch of car scarcity before the makers can come to their relief.
 The Chicago & Northwestern has made definite an order for 10000 tons of rails against it's general reserva- tion, and the Rock Island receivers have been authorized to buy 10000 tons for 1916.