The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-25
IRON AND STEEL.
Export Orders ana Mentions or
e Domestic Buying slump.

set Domestic Buying slump.
Export orders for steel and continued
heavy inquiries for war munitions Offset
the effect Of the sharp reduction In buy
ing by domestic u generally.
In the aggregate business secured Is
still In excess Of mill capacity. The
sale Of shell forgings by the United
States Steel Corporation to h British
Government. made last week and pre-
viously reported. Is ~variously estimated
at from 10000 to 200. 900 tons, and as
much more Is pending. Italy, France
and Russia have made additional pur-
chases Of steel. Of rifles and Of other
war munitions. but no more rails have
been sold to France than were reported
nearly six weeks ago. when total rails
sales were between 140,0 900 and $50. 900
tons. The last lot OF 10000 to 40. 900
tons was taken by the Pennsylvania
Steel Company. Russia is still In the
market for 100. 900 tons.
Domestic railroads have placed orders
for 10000 tons more rails for sew
enty locomotives. while foreign inquiries
cover 1000 locomotives. mainly for Rus
STA. calling for 100000 tons Of steel.
The Republic Iron and Steel Company
has closed contracts for $1,000 tons Of
basic at SIS and for 10000 tons OF
bessemer pig iron at $1,000 valley fur
mace for shipment over the third quar-
ter Of the year. according to reports
from Pittsburg. Foundry iron u quiet
and easier In all sections.
The Iron Age says:
In the general tendency Of the domestic
market TO less activity, the heavy demand
for war steel and for plates becomes highly
interestlnH The steel COrpnratinn haa taken
on the largest single contract for shell forg
ings yet let by the British Government. from
about 10000 tons for gun ~forgings closed by
. Shenanso Valley company and . like
amount placed two weeks ago in eastern
Pennsylvania puts the total above 4oc.cS
Allies represent nearly 10000 tons more. The
plate market has divided attention with war
quiries for 100 locomotives for export,
chiefly to Russia. and the new evidence OF the
enormous tonnage OF steel yet to be bought
Tor s~hipbuilding programmes already made
For ts0 of the locomotives the Russian i'm.
Quiry Is urgent. In the new ship plate re
Q%uiremen,s Pacific coast yards figure argely
Along with the sensational activity n
shell steel there is lust now a sharper com
petition for forging and machining work. A
good many munitions plants have lately
named prices we'll below those nj which ex
piring contracts were taken.
The trade Is checking Itself against toe
broad a conclusion from recent easing IL
prices of soft open hearth steel. . Bullets anc
shee, bars can be had here and there or
shorter deliveries than were possible a month
ago. and So Pit;sburs can be done. but the
larger companies are not making concessions
On some products they are sold not only fol
this year but well into the first quarter o.
1917.
ION the other hand are instances of epect
f~cations falling of because consumers earlier
IN the year crowded upon the mills more thar
their current needs TO insure as anst shor,
age.
Implement makers are now actively In IN,
market for bars for the first half of 1917
Some sales have been made at :35c. Pitts
burg.
sheets are not rs firm as the heavier stee
products. Mills whose sole product IL sheet,
are cutting more than those which have
other outlets for their steel On light weigh
black sheets IN roofing sizes some Of the cut,
have been deep.
Bolts and nuts are s per cent and rive,'
g. a ton higher