New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-24
Steel Industry
Threatened by
Pig Iron Famine
Coke Shortage, Made
Worse by Price-Fixing,
Hampers Furnaces

A famine in pig iron threatens the
steel industry. The demand far ex-
ceeds the supply, and conditions which
have been for some weeks restrict
ing output are growing steadily worse.
Steelmakers in the Pittsburgh district
have been running short OF iron, and
in many instances have been unable to
find sufficient supply for prompt de-
livery to satisfy their requirements
over the remainder of this year.
Blast furnaces are producing less
than their normal output Of iron be-
cause Of difficulties in obtaining COKE
Many furnaces have been out of opera
ton for days at time. The coke they
do get is so poor in quality that it
causes considerable trouble and conse-
auent decrease in production.
Coke Situation
The coke situation has been growing
more troublesome since the price was
fixed by the government at Sc per ton
for the blast furnace grade. Coke for
prompt delivery has not been obtain
able at all, and deliveries on contracts
have been curtailed by shortage of
labor at the ovens and scarcity OF cars
for shipment. Recently the government
fixed the price of foundry coke at 81
per ton, and since then many OF the
smaller producers in the Connellsv'lle
district have not made furnace coke at
all. but have utilized all OF their ca
pacity on the foundry grade to realize
more money. Practically none or the
furnaces in the Connellsyille district Is
making more than a fve-day output per
week. The supply Of cars on some days
has fallen as low as 20 per cent OF nor
NAL. To stimulate greater production
Of by-product coke. the government mas
fixed prices the same as those Tor the
product of the bee hive ovens.
Large steel companies which in
ordinary times produce all of their
own pig iron have been forced to seek
n supply in the open market because
the coke situation has so greatly re-
duced their own output. Among these
are the National Tube Company,
American Steel and Wire Company, the
American Bridge Company and the
Jones Laughlin Steel Comply.
All Of these companies are on impor-
tant government work.
Speeding Equipment Work
The government is endeavoring to
speed up production of locomotives and
cars TO relieve the freight situation.
The Baldwin Locomotive Works. Phila-
delphia, is spending several million dol
lars in the construction and equipment
of a new shop, which will greatly in
crease it's capacity. In the conseva-
ton OF cars for the transportation OF
material needed for war work the gov
crnment has the active cooperation of
the American Railway Association,
which may soon put into effect per-
nit system for the shipment of some
commodities. .,
A freer movement of semi-iinished
and finished steel is apparent. Eastern
mills have offered fairly early ship
ments Of rerolling biliets and rails,
plates and shapes. The great part Of
the business being placed continues to
be for government work. One or the
large independent steel companies is
now 65 per cent engaged on govern
ment work. direct or indirect. Other
companies have booked as high as 80
per cent of their capacity on govern
ment work.
The American international Ship
building Corporation is giving out
orders for its requirements of shapes
and plates for fabricated ships to be
fuilt at its Hog Island shipyard, near
Philadelphia. which will total 100000
tons, deliveries to be spread over ten
months.