Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-16
TODiN'S BUSINESS EPIGRANI;
Mako Il easy for the customer TO
sdy "ycs."
What does this mean TO YOU:
CONTINUED MONDAY
|. CONTINUED MONDAY
OPTIMISTIC FEELING
IN THE STEEL TRADE
Improvement Is Admitted by
All Authorities-Railroad
Congestion Relieved

NEW YORK. Feb. l6.
For the first time since early IN De-
cenlber 1t is possible TO report "A more
optimistic feeling In the steel trade
That there has been considerable i'm
provement in the situation is admitted
by all trade authorities.
The favorable weather Of the last
week has done much to bring about
the change. in so far as II has relieved
the railroad congestion and permitted
receipts Of fuel at the steel plants which
had been curtailing production because
of the lack of fuel
Although the movement of finished
and semifinished products from the mills
is better than II was some weeks ago,
there is still room for much improve
ment in this direction. Steel companies
officials express the belief that this con-
dition will be remedicd within a COM
paratlvely short time.
OF course the continuation Of the bet
terment depends entirely OH weather
conditions. Should the high tempera-
ture of the last week hold on for a
time longer. II Is felt that much head
way can be made in clearing tracks. and
this will be reflected IN heavier receipts
of materials at steel plants and aiso in
the removal Of products from the storage
yards.
While no official figures OF the inn
provement which has taken place are
obtainable. 1t is estimated by those who
study steel conditions closely and who
should know what is going on that the
increase In operations ranges all the
way from 10 TO 80 per cent.
The largest producers are choosing
the smallest increases. namely, from 9
q Ia hVts ., IA
Is due TO the fact that the curtailment
at these plants was not so drastic as
at some of the smaller mills of the
country. - .-
One instance Is heard OF where the
operations have been increased about so
per cent during the week at small
independent plant but this is due TO the
shutdown of many departments at this
company's mill. which was resumed on
last Tuesday
Throughout eastern Pennsylvania the
greatest gain Is recorded. The steel
mills in that section had been suffering
for a number Of weeks from lack of fuel
and many plants were virtually closed,
| the men being put TO work outside In
an effort to clear railroad tracks and
sidings and make more room for storing
finished products
T. That the change came In good time Is
the opinion expressed in the trade. The
situation was becoming serious in many
localities and production was kept going
at the rate IL did only because OF the
widely separated plants of the larger
companies ...
There has been a good demand for
various steel products. according to
those handling the. selling end OF the
business. Domestic consumers are
showing signs OF taking care of their
! future requirements. because they are
of the opinion that there VIII be no
reduction I'm present hxed prices by the
4 Government.
The situation in ferro-alloys Is still
acute. The receipts continue rather
\ small and independent companies which
| have taken care OF their future require
] r,enfa arc again scramblipg for {errQ-
I ~enransse whom 4 = svaileblp
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