The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-31
HEAVY DEMANDS ON STEEL TRADE
The Iron Age of Friday says:


 The difficulties of the steel mills are again increasing, as the delivery of six months output, and more, now mar rows down for many of them to the four months that remain of 1916. Pro- duction in August was about equal to that of July, in spite of trying condi- tions, but new business was larger, and the Steel Corporation expects to end the month with an increase in thrilled orders.
 Domestic buying of finished steel for the first half of next year has not been conspicuous, though a good many in- pleInent makers have contracted for steel bars at s2.50 cents, the sales of the leading producer on this account being reported at 160,00O tons. While mills are not disposed to put up prices on contract material, the market is stronger and premiums for early de- livery are more in evidence, particular ly on bars, plates, and shapes. The Steel Corporation now quotes on for ward delivery 2.60 cents, Pittsburgh, for bars, 2.70 for shapes, and for plates.
 The 1916 naval program will make a far greater demand on steel works than had been calculated. It is now figured that for hulls and armament, 215,000 to 220,O00 tons will be needed for the 4 battleships, battleship crui- sers, scout cruisers, 20 desroyers, 20 submarines, 1 fuel ship, ammuni- ton ship, and 1 hospital ship. In the case of two steel companies, at least, some of this Government work must be taken on to the exclusion of more re- munerative foreign orders.
 New vessel orders include three on the Pacific Coast, two at Philadelphia for American owners, and two at Bal timore for Norwegian interests. Steel placed for these is mainly for the third quarter of 1917.> An Eastern yard has just placed 10000 tons of shipbuilding steel, chiefly plates. Japan is still a buyer for it's shipyards, and it's wants quiry pending in the Chicago district.
 Railroad wants have been more of a factor in the past week. The South, ern Railway has ordered 10000 tons of rails for next summer and 5000 tons has been bought for Cuba. The Canadian Northern is inouiring for 10000 tons, of which it is likely only 10000 tons can be supplied in this country. The Grand Trunk is in the market for 10000 tons. In tie plates the Santa Fe order for nearly 10000 tons is feature.
 France has just closed for 15,0OO tons of rails, making its total orders in the past year about 100000 tons. Great Britain it now develops, has bought 56,000 tons of rails here, or much more than has been estimated. The placing of large tonnage of M = inch and 2-inch angles for France is attention. One steel com pany has taken 5000 tons, and much more is pending. Mills have asked 3.10 to 3.25 cents on this material. For eign buyers for other than war needs are more active, as signs point to the continuance of high prices instead of the reductions indicated two months ago. Wire products, structural shapes and plates are being extensively figur- ed on. From Italy there is a 10,000-ton inquiry for sheet piling.
 The broadening of the pig-iron buy ing movement is evident. but there is irregularity in prices. Thus far, large buyers have taken the bulk of the iron sold for first half of next year. Buffalo reports sales of l %, 900 tons of all grades in the week, most of it in good-sized lots. Some foundries will buy more iron for this year, but the majority will carry over 1916 iron two or three months into 1917. Machine shop and foundry strikes have done much to keep pig iron from sharing in the advance in steel.