The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-16
STEEL NGOT OUTPUT
Is AT RECORD RATE
February, Although Short
Month. May BE Banner
Period at Plants.

IDllCu SttSl ~ -
by the mills in overwhelming volume.
New business offered also is OF large
proportions. but there Is some hesitAncy
in accepting contracts offered even for
delivery during the last quarter OF the
year. One OF the largest contracts that
came to the surface yesterday called TOT
between 100000 and soc. 600 tons OF
shrapnel bars to be rolled by the Bur
falo mill for export to France. This IL
probably the mysterious contract that
excited Wall street about ten DAYS ago.
which was reported to be for $4,000
tons monthly.
Very few new inquiries for either biliets
or round steel bars for making high ex-
plosive shells Ia come to the mills
within the last week. Even the inquiries
from brokers have been small. II is
said In the trade that activity In this
line will remain at a low point until Mr..
Morgan's return from Europe. or at least
until a cable Is received from the Nor
gan interest. 1t is known that some
large inquiries for high explosive shells
for both Great Britain and France are
held in allegiance. and some large shell
contracts for Canadian interests are
stili unplaced. a very heavy tonnage
of steel for direct export is also walt
ing to he released.
II IL estimated that fully 10000 tons
OF rolled steel products are required for
the construction OF railroad equipment
IN this country. Prospective foreign
orders also cal for 100000
and 200, 900 tons. Much difficulty. how
ever. Is being encountered in placing
contracts for such steel. In the last
few days, II is understood, some rail-
roads have been able 10 secure rela-
,.,.zl,. ar-nh sANnApas ranging from
5000 to 10000 tons. for repair work at
their own shops. orders understood to
have been placed include 5000 tons for
the Pennsylvania Railroad for delivery
at Altoona, and 10000 tons for the
L.enoir Car Company.
Al the M the steel companies
are giving more attention 10 production
and shipments than To securing new
contracts. Since February !, II Is re-
ported. all of the steel companies have
made record breaking outputs of steel
Ingots. If the weather continues favor
able IL will not be surprising If the
February production - Notwithstanding
one 10 two less days than In other
months-breaks all previous records.
Never before have the steel companies
strlven to make record runs in the height
of winter. Usually u achievements
| are confined 10 the fall months. when
| weather conditions other contrlbu-
| tory Influences are most favorable. Holt
| DAYS this month are not being respected
as they are IN ordinary times It is
| possible. therefore. that the steel COM
panlas together may produce In excess
| Of a,OOO Qua tons Of ingots during the
current month.
The Florida East Coast Railway has
placed a contract for frogs. switches and
| track supplies Of unusual magnitude
with the PENNSYLVANIA Steel Company,
| Tie Central Railroad of New England
\ put out inquiries yesterday for bridge
| work. Another Eastern road is under
stood to have placed "A contract for 300
IONS of fabricated structural steel. Two
before the end Of the week. As a whole,
however. the railroads are making small
effort to place bridge contracts.
The domestic demand for wire products
continues most active and there IL reason
70 believe that another advance VIII soof
u. made by the leading Interests, n
far prices OF wire products hay" beeI
advanced from low t. high point since
; he beginning Of the European war VI
per ton, while bars and sheets rave beef
| advanced N-U Der lbll, 'lllIstNlT. dEGi
eating 80, geo tons for wire products
are SIN pcnding for foreign shipment. I
i understood that another large wiz
export contract IS on the point of beln'
closed for late delivery.
Repor,s from the interior la the las
few DAYS indicate n lull in In ' placinl
ur contracts for fabricated ,:ructura
steel. The orders pending in the metro
politan district are also relatively sn,al
both IN number and in tonnage. The SpucI
Iron and Foundry Company has bee
awarded a contract Tor 900 tons o
fabricated structural shapes for tn
building OF IA hirh school at Springfield
III. There was a rumor yesterday tina
the steel for the Ten Eyck Hotel a
Albany WOULD he furnished by the penn
sylyania Steel Company, hut official
confirmed the placing OF the contract
reported several days ago with tn
LackawaHna Steel Company.
The Lake Erie. Franklin and Clario
railroad has recently ordered so hoppe
cars from the standard Steel Car Com
many. while the American Steel All
Wire Company is having 80 gondol
cars constructed by the l,alston Stst
Car Company. Tho Carolina. clinchvill
and Ohio railroad il in the market 10
six locomotives.
The Bridge Builders aud STRUCTURE
society late In the day reported Jan
! uary records complete, showing sale
, by all the fabricatinr shops in tina coui
try last month equivalent t. 81 per cen
! of shop capacity, which il approximate
$4,000 tons. This is the smallest ton
-- I-a L.