South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22
WAR AFFECTING
IRON INDUSTRY
Abnormal Conditions in First
Half of 1917 Reported by
Geological Survey.

Abnormal conditions prevailed in
the iron industry during the first
half of 1917. mainly on account of
the war in Europe. At the begin
ming of the year, when pig iron was
being made at the average rate of
about 100000 gross tons daily, the
blast furnaces were operated at
slightly reduced capacity, according
20 Z. r Burchard Of the United
States geological survey, department
Of the interior This rate dropped
10 less than $4,000 tons daily in
February, but in March the rate
rose to 10000 tons daily, and in
April and May il stood At more than
10000 tons, compared with the
maximum rate Of $4,000 tons in
October. 1915.
The prospective blast furnace ca
with the demand, however, as is in
dictated by the enormous increases in
price. especially since the United
States entered the war.
The total output Of coke and an
thracite pig iron in the first five
months of 1912 was about 15.SOO,O00
gross tons, compared with about Is
175,OOO tons during the correspond
ing period of 1916. a decrease of
about per cent.
Drop in Superior Region.
The quantity of iron ore from
mines in the Lake Superior region
shipped from upper lake ports from
Jan. to June I, 1917, was about
6 900. 600 gross tons. compared with
slightly more than 100000 tons
for the corresponding FIVE months of
1915, a decrease of about $500. 900
tons or more than 81 per cent This
apparently large decrease in ore
shipments from the principal pro-
ducing region was not due 10 ina bill
ity TO mine ore but largely 10 the
belated opening of lake traffic be
cause OF ice blockades and to many
ore-carrying boats having been put
out Of commission through accidents.
Plans are being made by com
mittees Of the council OF national
defense 10 increase shipments Of
iron ore, coal and coke during the
remainder Of the season through CO.
operative methods, and possibly the
June shipments will nearly equal
those of June. 1916. In the mean
time the blast furnaces have been
drawing on large stocks Of ore at
lower lake ports in order to offset
the deficiency in upper lake ship
ments Deferred shipments OF coke
and other causes Of traffic conges-
ton have also retarded operations
at some furnaces.
Prices Advance.
Prices Of pig iron at western
Pennsylvania furnaces have ad
vanced since Jan. /. 1917. 81 70 II
per cent and since a year ago 164
10 200 per cent On July 8, 1917.
basic iron was quoted at Valley fur
naces at $50 a ton, Bessemer iron at
Pittsburgh at S5795. and No.
foundry iron at $50, while at Birm-
ingham, Ala. foundry iron. which
one year ago sold at s14, brought
S47 a ton. Low phosphorus iron
has been quoted at $40 10 $50 ton.
Feverish buying Of pig iron by pri-
vate consumers w''o were endeaVor-
ing 70 provide for their present
needs. as we'll as for their needs far
into 1919. has caused much Of the
recent increase in price The extent
OF the governments war needs for
steel is not yet defined, but increas-
ing orders are being placed slow
ly. however. and they should not in
terfere seriously with deliveries of
steel 20 private consumers. As the
government is not competing in price
il would seem that there may be at
least some warrant for belief that
prices may eventually adjust them
selves without need for further great
initiation.