New Britain herald., 1917-01-25
Steel and Pig
 Iron Markets

January has developed no signs of a change to easier conditions in the steel trade. After all the peace moves it is apparent that American steel manufacturers will be beset for months with more business, export and domestic, then they can handle. The past week has emphasized the tightening of the situation
 Predictions lately made of a les sened export movement in 1917 are to be taken in tho light of larger ex- pectations of an expanding domestic demand which the mills cannot put aside.
 More has come out concerning shell steel bought for the Allies for the sac ond half. -Four. companies took on large amounts, and the buyers want much more, which at present the mills could not safely agree to deliver. Canada in particular is now trying to buy such steel.
 In rails, rolling stock and plates there is a floor of foreign inquiry. In addition to the large rail tonnagcs lately offered from England, Russia ana France. there are now neSoua- uons on behalf of many small coun- tries. For Spain 25,0OO tons is want ed; for Cuba and Porto Rico, 5000 to 5000 tons; for a western European state, 10000 to 10000 tons; for the Orient, 2,OOO tons. France would take 10000 cars, but 2O,C0O may be the total purchase, as 100000 tons of steel Is sought on this account by car works Thus far about 5000 of these smaller type cars have been placed.
 Highly significant is the report, | ,rt, H,-tt Np.nn Britain is seeking to buy vessels here. Another item in the new demand from abroad is large tin-plate tonnage for China, put at more than 100000 boXes
 Billets at $65 in the Central West are a gage of continued scarcity of steel as Is also a sale of 10000 tons by a Pennsylvania mill at $62.50 for shipments to Italy. More rails for export have sold at $60.
 Again the railroad situation at Pittsburgh is reported worse. With the industry now seriously deranged by crippled motive power and lack of cars. the coming on of severe win ter would be nothing short of calam ity. Today shipments and new orders about balance. Until winter passes
 
 hardly get above 39.OO0.00O tons a year. against 41,7OO,O0O tons at the high point in October.
 Rail sales include 10000 tons for Alaska, 4,00O tons for South Africa, and 5000 tons for the Michigan Gen. tral. The Pennsylvania inquiry for 2O5, ,OOO tons for 1918 is reported with drawn, and it is understood some of the Pennsylvania rails : bought for 1917 are not to be shipped until next year.
 Structural contracts still reflect in dustrlal expansion. At Chicago 4.00O tons is wanted for the Mark Mfg. Company's steel works, and at Pitts burgh 5000 tons was taken for the Whitaker-Glessner Company's new mills. The 7,S0O tons for Wcsting- house construction at EssinGton will be followed in time by 20.O0O tons more for that plant. The American Bridge Company will furnish 15,700 tons for the Iivonia Avenue elevated extension in Brooklyn. Bids will soon be asked on 35.0OO tons for two new subway and elevated projects in Greater New York.
 J. P. Morgan & Co.'S new inquiry for 100, 900 tons of Bessemcr iron. presumably for France and Italy, has resulted in little business thus far. The buyers price is $35. but little iron is availab ble and makers consider the upward movement to be unfin- ished. Some quiet inquiry for basic and Bessemer iron for the second half has come from domestic consumers but they are not ready to pay S3O and $35 for delivery to the end of the year.
 The Steel Corporation advanced it's contract prices for shapes and plates to 3.25c. and 3.75c.. Pittsburgh. re- spectively, effective Jan. 23.-Bars re- main at Sc.
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