Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-31
IMMEDIATE ACTION
NECESSARY IN STEEL
Quick Work Required to Pre-
vent Embarrassment From
Shortage of Material
New York. Aus 81.


The steel situation has arrived at a
point where comprehensive action is
necessary, in the minds OF experts. If
the Governments wal program is to be
saved from the embarrassment of a
shortage of material.
The Washington authorities are in
clined to attribute the steel shortage in
q large degree to the shortage of coal.
Furnaces have been compelled to shut
down by a shortage of fuel. The fuel
administration has taken up the prob
lem and has promised full cooperation
In getting the necessary supplies to
tar othese furnace
The labor situation continues as a
disturbing element.
The coal situation, instead of showing
any Improvement. is growing decidedly
worse. This is looked upon as the most
serious obstacle to the war program,
The principal difficulty lies in the East.
There has been a tremendous increase
in the demand for coal for special war
purposes, and particularly for the navy
and transport service IN the eastern
States. The fuel administration is TAX
Ing steps in preparation for the coming
winter. On this account the drain upon
the eastern coal fields has been greater
than the fuel administration first in
tended. One of the measures that had
Abeen adopted is the limitation of the
amount of coal that may be stored by
manufacturers.
TIL e plate mills of the country. which
are supplying the material for the great
s~hipyards. continue to record further
rogress in shipments. In the week end
ed August II, these amounted to ll7,000
t--- rL.- ls-E
record and compared with 1O1 900 tons
In the preceding week.
These figures exceed the rosiest pre-
6ictions made when the United States
entered the war. At that time il was
intimated that as much as 5000. 600
tons OF plates would be required for
1917 and about 5000. 900 tons in 1918.
There were many who believed that
the mills could not supply these re-
quirements.
The progress being made, however,
would indicate that the steel mills are
prepared to meet the increasing de-
mands upon them by the Emergency
Fleet Corporation. If the mills averared
throughout the year the rate of ship
ments made in the week ended August
II, they would be turning out approx
mately 5000. 900 tons per annum.
Steps are contemplated by the Gov
0IUfIitHt ioohlls towoio ~ re-
~trenchment in the steel industry. Pig
iron must be conserved solely for wal
requirements The priority division has
refused priority of gray iron even fol
essential work unless a Government or
der were involved. Pig iron win be saved
first for projectile steel and other mu
%nitions, for the railroads and for the
s%hipyards. 1t is believed that a cut OF
20 per cent will be necessary in tht
ailotments to sheet steel, tin plate ant
wire mills. The curtailment will extend
all the way down the line from thu
original manufacturer to those engaged
In subsequent handling.
Restrictions will be placed upon every
branch in the iron and steel industry
Automobile manufacturers have already
peer directed to discontinue the making
of pleasure cars by January /, 1919
Makers of motorcycles, bicycles. horse
drawn vehicles and refrigerator lines
will be placed under regulation. Stow
makers have also been notified that theil
supply of steel will be limited. Manu-
facturers of electrical equipment anc
supplies will also feel the effect of Gov,
ernment regulation. and will be furnish
ed with material only when they pledg,
themselves TO turn out only e~ssentia
products.