The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-08
OAR MAKERS READY
FORSTEEL SHORTAGE
Automobile Builders Organized
and StrlnuenOy Anticipated
by Longtime Contracts.

No one Is moro sharply affected by
the present steel shortage than r the
automobile maker. but there IL good
reason 70 ;tslieve that the oraaniged
strength Of the automobile industry
nay prove sufficient to tide over tilo
difficulty and prevent the development
OF serious consequences. The autorno-
Tie manufacturers wore never in bet
ter ppBition TO cooperate in overcoming
obstacles than, they ara today. With
an unsurpassed demand for their
products and with the many nlanufnc-
turing economies that have been intro
duced with in the past two years, the
stringenoy. OF materialq Is practically
the only cloud IN tile sky and this can
lines that are aITeSdy pro eGSoV well dos
flned.%
Source Of Relief.
A possible SOURCE OF relief for the
automobile makers Is said to lie in
q revision OF steel specifications,
whereby certain refining processes
can be moro cheaply and quickly car.
riad out Such notifications, 1t 10
declared, can be introduced without
affecting the strength and durability
Of the. metal, and are believed to be
CepeTqlly favored by the steel makers,
who claim they are at present handi-
capped by too rigid restrictions, which
influence adversely both deliveries
and, to some extent, prices. as well.
The particular point at issue is the
sulphur content OF the carbon steelS
that are widely used in automobile
notwithstanding, and which are pro-
f a9nced Sn ne tne atsnaard specS i N;
Eineers. These specifications, which
are almost universally employed by
the automobile makers. call for .
sulphur content in carbon steel OF not
to exceed ave hundredths OF one per
cent. 1t is claimed by accredited att
thorities. however. that IL ia possible
10; permit a considerable increase in
sulphur without iupairtng the
strength OF the material or its hot
working properties to an appreciablO
extent.
Basis of Controversy.
Tests conducted by DR.. ]. S. Unger.
OF me Carnegie Steel Company, ore said
to have demonstrates the truth Of these
assertions in thoroughly scientific
manner and the whole subject. which
has been made the basis OF long stand
Ing controversy. is to be reviewed at
the winter meeting Of the society. At
that time fingers Investigations will be
presented before a gathering of en-
glneers representing leading automobile
AuAARA0 lIOAI Ill puIJ0 VI THO
Opportunity will also be given for q
discussion Of the steel situation in all
its aspects, and producers and con-
sumers will be brought together in such
way as to enable them to weigh the
possibilities of Improvement that may
lie in a readjustment of their relations.
Never before have the automobile
makers heen so we'll able to meet and
conquer a common obstacle as they are
today said Christian Girl. president
of the Perfection Spring Company, Of
Cleveland. And this fact must be taken
into account in any consideration of the
possible influence upon the automobile
market of the present difficulty in OBJ
tanning materials for the coming year.
! make this assertion because believe
the. overdemand for materials Is des-
tined to continue indefinitely, certainly
outlasting the war by year or more.
during the early stages of the European
reconstruction, and because American
manufacturers in all lines, in endeavor-
ing tn adjust themselves to II must
necessarily suffer embarrassment, IL
nothing more grave. Those who per-
ceive the trend of affairs in due season
and guard against It, however, will be
the ones who will suffer the least. And
in this respect I think the automobile
industry is deserving of the utmost
confidence. Furthermore, the very
preparedness of the automobile maxi
Ogg. which is making itself increasingly
evident Is bound to react in their favor
should the situation become as serious
as II Is anticipated in some quarters
that II may"