The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-11
UNTITLED STEEL
ORDERS INCREASE
United States Corporations
June Report Shows Gain Of
581,243 Tons.
BIG CONTRACT FOR RAILS
Federal Requirements Ex-
! pected to Amount to AL
most 100000 Tons.

the report OF untitled orders on the books
Of the United States Steel Corporation
Issued yesterday showed an increase, the
gain for Juno as compared with the pre-
vious month being bsl,243 tons. The
total Of untitled orders at the close Of
business on June 81 was. according to
this report, s.s1s.sse tons. as against
ssS7.s2s on May 81. s.7+l.ss2 on April
80, e.058,406 on March 81. s,2ss.4ba on
february 2s and s.477.s5s on January
vi. The Lackawanna Steel Company re-
ported untitled orders as OF June 80 ae-
sresating b56,207 gross tons, as COM
pared with 913,196 on June 30, 1917.
Indications that huge contracts for
steel rails for use on the various rail-
roads throughout the country now under
FedRsl operation are to be placed by
the United States Railroad Administra-
ton were given when all Of the steel
rail manufacturers Of the country were
asked to submit to the Federal authori-
ties information as to untitled orders
and capacity Of production. The manu-
facturers are asked TO inform the Direc-
tor-General as soon as possible as to
their condition In regard to unified or
ders, and to furnish In addition all poesi-
BILE data with reference to the producing
capacity Of their plants. The orders
which are expected to be placed for rails
will aggregate between 100000 and
1000. 900 tons, It Is believed.
shortage OF Steel Plates.
Another factor which has retarded
construction work greatly. particularly
since the heavy shipbuilding programme
went into operation. has been a shortage
of MI al 11afa co
nounoenent made yesterday by the
United States Steel Corporation this
hlndrance, while not entirely removed.
will be considerably reduced by the in
stalstion OF additional equipment in the
South Chicago and Homestead plants Of
the Carnegie Steel Company. by which
production In those plants will be in
creased about 100000 tons. The total
plate production of all the subsidiary
companies Of the United States Steel
Corporation in 1917 amounted to 1.473-
625 tons, an increase Of about 100000
over the previous year. Under the new
plan. with no increase In other plants.
the corporations output should total
about 1,676, 900 tons. an increase Of about
II per cent over the 1917 production and
about rs per cent. over that OF 1916.
Signs OF q better morale at iron and
steel works. with its consequent stimulus
W piVuuCtiois AE0 pOAhtou Jul III Lie
weekly review Of the steel situation In
Iron Age, which says:
Tho steel industry. helped by cool
weather. continues to mako an unex-
peotedly good response to the call For
war steel. At q number of coke works
and steel mills employees kept at work
on July in response to Government ap-
peal. Due to the good stocks OF finished
steel. various manufacturing consumers
AAA - - 80 10 hi
ton to prevent drastic curtailments.
shutdowns for lack OF iron and steel
have been rare in metal working lines.
However, this week. like others, has
brought fresh warnings Of impending re-
strictions.
Recently signs have increased Of a
better morale at iron and steel works.
the stimulus to ship production having
apparently worked back to raw material
sources
Disagreement I'm conference.
Tho conferences of steel manufac-
turers and special price fixing conf
mittee at Washington on July brought
disagreement on all the products con-
sdered. On rails the makers them
selves were at odds The $57 price for
open hearth rails, at which some sales
have been made this year. was favored
by large interests, while others held
out for $50. Government representa-
tives proposed a figure much lower than
either. The steel makers will meet July
- in New York in an effort to agree
among themselves.
Tho effort to fix wire rope prices Is
attended with much cost compiling. The
Navy Department is now the sole OBJ
stacle to agreement here. A further
meeting must be held also on high speed
tool steel, the views Of the manufac-
tu:ers and the Government representa-
tves diversing widely. The Federal
Trade Commissions cost figures were
not acceptable to the steel makers.
Steel manufacturers have some dis
creton In giving steel to customers on
tho preference list. but buyers who rep
resent non-essential lines. those covered
by newly created Class D. will only
get material after the steel manufac-
turer has applied for and received per-
mission from Washington.
The bar iron situation Is easier and
some mills can take commercial orders
for delivery In three TO four months.
The latest demand illustrative of the
continuing heavy needs OF our force in
France is for early building of 10000
OF the additional lot OF railroad cars re-
Gently scheduled as part Of the years
programme
The large new locomotive plant at
Chicago for the Baldwin Locomotive
Works lAs taken shape in the inquiry
before faericators for 10000 tons OF ma
terial"
Confusion Removed.