The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-25
ALL NEUTRAL NATIONS
NOW SEEK STEEL HERE
Political Events Stimulate
Foreign Demand-D0mes-
tic Buyers Wait.

Political events Of the last week have
stimulated the foreign demand for iron
and steel products. There Ia scarcely a
neutral country in the world Of any i'm
portance that Is not knocking at the
doors Of the American steel mills for
supplies. Domestic consumers. on the
other hand, seem TO be more confirmed
In the waiting attitude which they
adopted about a month ago. II is esti-
mated that orders from domestic SON
sumers since Juno I have been scarcely
so per rent. Of total mill capacity. As
the mills are now turning out rolled
stee, products N the rate Of about e.
500, 900 o n monthly the unified tonnag.
carried by ths various companies would
be substantially reduced this month were
II not for the heavy volume Of foreign
business that nus been accepted. II
the percentage OF orders entered by the
mills on domestic account previously
noted Is correct II would mean that June
contracts from domestic buyers have
aggregated about 100000 ton For.
eign order are indicated to have been
about 700. 900 tons. which would mean a
volume Of new business in aggrc-
eating 1900. 900 tons This tonnage falls
short Of the estimated output by 400. 900
TO 400, 900 tons. II all OF the Russia n
contracts are not entered this month the
falling of in business will be much
greater. probably 100000 TO SOC. 900 tons.
half OF which will doubtless he borne
by the United States Steel Corporation.
M stsel mills. however. welcome
any decrease in new business. as the
tonnage OF unified orders already ac-
cumulated Is unwieldy. For the last
ten months the mills have sold about
II. 900. 900 tons in excess OF capacity.
Not since August last year has the
United States Steel Corporation reported
a decrease in the untitled tonnage en-
tered on the books from month TO
month Most Of tho independent steei
companies also have had the same en-
perience Of congestion.
American railroads apparently have
covered their pressing equipment require
ments. and are now giving more atten-
tion to road beds and bridges. Already
the June structural work ION railroad
account has eQualled the average monthly
orders since the first ~ the year. ara
such contracts have been from A. to
30 per cent. greater than during the
corresponding period last year. In tho
last week bridge contracts have called
for over 1000 tons o: structural SEC.
and Inquiries are now In the market for
$4,000 tors. some Of which ar. Likely
20 be closed before the end OF June.
Amons the railroads that have Just
closed for bridge work are The l.ehigh
Valley. Boston n Albany. Portland Term
inn!, New YORK Central. Norfolk n West
ern. Pennsylvania. southern Railway aud
\pW Haven while .hp Rl'fiFrnra a. gptiD
and the -. Paul have placed orders :or
piers and stations. It Is understood
that ;he New Haven has virtually
a Sarded n contract for i1j tons Of steel
for i've bridges in the Boston division
TO the Bos'on Bridge Works.
Railroad equipment orders placed last
week, outside OF the lais. Russian rail-
call FOR about $1,000 tons Of
steei. of which aDout 2U.vu6
tons viii be usei in the construction OF
cars. and 1880 tons for girder. Light
section and standard rails. II i; be as-
stunned, however. that the Russian loco
order has actually been closed,
the steel mills will he called upon for
10000 tons additional. I; is an interest
point to remember that more than 30
per cent. OF this tonnage will be required
In the construction Of railroad equip
ieHN ~ lpTtikN TcuVs4 Ia SnnnS SILL
have Inquiries for rolling stock whi,a
Ill require about 10000 tons Of steel
plates and shapes, but the loco
builders ave few important In
for motive power.
The Tank Shipbuilding COMPANY.
" hich recently acquired the old plan,
OF the Marvel S~hipbuilding Compsnv.
Newbursh, y. Y. Ia reported to hay.
several contracts FOR tank boats
for the Scottish Mexican OIL COMPANY
and for he Tamplco Navigation Com.
For the building ow these boats
for 5000 or 5000 tons OF plates
have ALREADY been placed, and il, IS
that inquiries are still in the
marie; for about 10000 tons OF plates
Tor these and other coastwise boats, con-
tracts for which have been closed or
are being closed at the moment.
Hridg builders and other fahrlcating
shops last week secured contracts FOR
a little more than 10000 tons Of strur-
,ural shapes FOR bridges and commercial
ard inquiries are now i'm III.
market for abou, $1,000 tons. OF which
',"op tons are for loft buildings and
apartment houses TO be constructed n
York cite. There was considerable
act!V'ty last week In the filing OF plans
the local building department I,
escape the provisions OF the new Law
governing the height o. buildings IN
7ones. which becomes effective
IN july !. II Is understood that con.
tracts for these buildings will not ncccs-
sarily be placed in the near future. a.
'hongh some invitations for bids have
'iready been issued, The Indication Is
nat June fabricated steel orders Will
De the smallest OF any month his year
10 date contracts placed have called Tor
more than SO, 900 tons of struc-
-ural shapes.
OK the orders for 100 0OO tons ~
'ouhd ana square steel bars for war
munitions placed last week, about half
ne TONNAGE IL for direct export. Thcs,
ire the first important orders OF the
.ind placed this month. The previous
orders for bars and forcinys
mounted TO only $4,000 tons. Sonlc
,eaNy contracts are under negotiation
ne smaller tonnage placed, ms com
'ared with previous months, il attributed
o the inability to secure shipments this
ear hut quite n large tonnage IL avail
Die Ior shipment during the first quar-.
er Of 1917.
Merchant furnaces experienced n mos,