Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-30
STEEL MEN ANXIOUS
OVER U. S, PRICE PLAN
Authorities Say They Know
Nothing of Amount to Be Paid
or Requirements


| The uncertainty which has existed in the
steel trade over what the Government would
| do in so far as it's requirements are con-
| cerned, and also with regard to the price to
| be paid for steel still continues. Although
there have been reports Of an agreement,
| steel trade authorities assert they know
nothing of them, and say they are just as
anxious to know the details as any ono
else -.r..
While there has been no good demand for
various products from regular consumers,
1t Is nevertheless true that there appears
to be less anxiety on the part of buyers 10
get their order books, although those manl-
featuring concerns which have contracts
to fill are continuing their earnest enorts
to get their needs on the books OF the steel
producers
on the other hand the steel manu@
facturers are not at all anxious to take
contracts from all sides and declinatlons on
business offered are still going on with more
or less frequency, In some cases only
regular customers are being taken care OF.
This is especially true Of the smaller steel
companies and the largest independent con-
Germs.
It is learned that some Government busi-
ness has been placed with the companies on
which prices are TO be fixed later, and the
agitation for Government control OF steel
quotations is one of the influencing factors
in causing at least little hesitation on
the part of prospective buyers.
TheTe
situation is awaited on all sides, and
satisfactory arrangement will change the
situation in a way in all directions How
ever 1t cannot be said that settlement Is
any nearer, according to all appearances,
than II was week go.
The tone of all branches OF the steel and
iron markets is just as strong as II has
been ~ any previous time; but it is noted
that there is less excitement in many
branches and price advances, while continu-
ing, have been doing so In more orderly
way Nevertheless, the opinion prevails
that the advances have not yet been halted,
because the demand is still larger than
the available supply.
In pig iron there has been some good
buying, but prices have not been put up as
sharply as heretofore. Domestic users have
been paying the prevailing quotations with
out a murmur, md some good inquiries are
In the market for export, especially for
Italy and Japan. Iron makers, however,
have been holding of from taking this
business, mainly because Of the difficulty
Of arranging for the shipping facilities.
1t is likely II the purchasers can arrange
for the vessel room some good foreign
orders will be consummated.
The ferro-manganese situation Is causing
some alarm among the steel makers who
must cover for their future requirements
Buying for the remainder Of this year and
the first half OF 1918 10 said to have been
most active recently. and prices have been
advancing with regularity.
In plate chaotic conditions prevail The
market is any price the seller can get, and
as high as ~ cents per pound has been
reported TO have been paid for ship plates
Even at this high quotation there IA an
abnormaly large demand, and no one IA
willing TO predict how much higher this
product viii 90. a1though the opinion IL
unanimous thar ths TOP has ppf yet been
reacheds