The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-16
DIFFICULTIES IN WAY
OF US. ARMOR PLANT
Steel Men Point to Necessity
for Owning Orc and Skilled
Labor Shortage.

The advocacy BY h washington Ad-
ministration and other officials at the
Capitol OF the building Of IA steel plant
to be owned and operated by the Gov
m to manufacture armor plate and
other steel forms Is being undertaken
without due regard to tho interest
on the money outlay and to the deprecia-
tion Of plant " expressed In the cost of
manufacturing steel. This. at least, 10
the opinion Of some of tho steel manu-
facturers as expressed yesterday.
Among the difficulties pointed out which
must be overcome by the Government
Is the obtaining Of skilled labor. espe-
cia,ly at a time like the present. A
Government plant too could not be self
contained unless ore properties were Sc
cured ana provision made for tho manu-
facture OF steel making pig iron as well
as OF steel. Otherwise the Government
would still be dependent upon steel COM
panies for billets or other forms TO be
subsequently rolled at h Government
plant.
Railroad companies have placed addi-
tional contracts for about 10000 tons Of
standard section rails. The Philadel-
rhia and Reading has ordered 1000 tons.
the Buffalo. Rochester and Pittsburg
1000 tons. the Great Northern 5000
tons n the Interboroush $500 IONS
The latter tonnage has been equally
divided between the Buffalo nnd Bethle-
hem plants. Additional miscellaneous
orders e%ggregating 1000 tons we're also
placed by roads III tho central West fer
early shipment
The placing of additional contracts for
rails In lots ranging from 1000 to 5000
tons each Is dependent upon the securing
OF angle bars. which are unusually
scarce and high. Under ordinary con-
ditions LIS to 1.S5c. u pound would be
paid for angle bars. and In fact some
manufacturer have recently taken
orders on this basis In connection with
contracts for rails. but when 1t Is neces-
sary to go into the open market for sup
piles manufacturers demand and obtain
2.30c. a pound and sales have been made
on this basis. Both first and second
quality standard rails can be obtained
surplus supplies Of rail Joints have been
exhausted.
The passing OF one Of the famous
landmark OF old New York Is empha-
sized by the placing OF a contract for
a modern loft building to be constructed
on the site OF the Eden Musee by the
Namelock Realty Company. which has
awarded the general contract to Post 4
McCord. while the 1900 tons OF struct-
ural steel required will be furnished by
the American Bridge Company. The
George A. Just Company has obtained
the contract for 1000 tons Of steel to be
used In the construction OF q loft build
ing at Thirty second street and Madi-
son avenue. The Cooperative Studio. TO
be constructed In Fifty-seventh street.
will require 900 tons OF steel, which will
DO furnished by ". b. Shafer & Co
The United States Cast Iron Pipe and
Foundry Company has been awarded a
contract for 800 tons OF cast Iron pipe.
6. 8 and L. inches In diameter. for de-
livery at Passaic and Montcla.r. n. J..
TIL same founders have also taken a
contract for 400 tons OF ~ TO Is inch
pipe at s26.l5 delivered at Batn via. n.
y. The Massiilon Cast Iron Pipe Com
pany will furnish 1884 ton of s TO IL
inch pipe for East Youngstown. Ohio, at
$3.50 delivered. Minneapolis has taken
bids on 2,247 tons OF pipe G to l6 inches
In diameter, and an award Is expect u
within the next day or two. The town
OF Lees Summit, Mo. received bids
Yesterday on 442 tons Of 4. 8 and 8
inch pipe. and also on 369 tons OF &
inch pipe. The city OF Rochester Is re-
ported to be preparing specifications on a
large tonnage of pipe running from Is
TO 81 inches IN diameter.
Private water and gas companies IN
the eastern territory are actively In tho
market for cast iron pipe for 1915 re-
uuirements. Most of these inquiries
come from New England. including one
lot OF $500 tons, another OF 1900 tons
and others ranging from 400 TO 500
tons each. The majority OF the inquiries
are for 4, s and s inch pipe.
George A. Cragin. assistant general
manager OF sales OF the American Steel
and Wire Company at Worcester, Mass,
rendered his resignation several months
ago and II has just been accepted by
the Mr.. CraEin has been with
the American Steel and Wire Company
for thirty-fve years, AS "A boy he was
employed by the Washburn & Moen
Manufacturing Company. In which his
father was interested, being located at
San Francisco and later In Texas. When
the Washburn d Moen plant was alb
eorbed by the American Steel and Wire
Company Mr., Cragin remained as one
| of the live assets of he company. Mr..
Cragin has been in Ill health for the
last two years.
The few kilograms that came through
yesterday indicated further large sales
of pig iron in the Chicago territory,
where prices continue to range from SIS
to sl9 for No, . foundry. Additional
sales of basic have also been made. but
details are lacking because Of the de-
layed mails. In this territory additional
contracts for about 10000 tons of foun-
dry and basic iron were placed. One lot
of 3 900 tons Of basic and another lot
OF 1900 tons Of low phosphorus were
sold for shipment to Canada. The Crane
Company IL reported to have secured
5000 tons Of Virginia iron for prompt
shipment. as well as 900 tons Of special
iron from Buffalo furnaces. The A. =.
Smith Manufacturing Company Is In the
market for 5000 tons Of foundry grades
for shipment over the first half Of next
year.
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