The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-04-25
IMPROVED CONDITIONS
IN PIG iron SHOWN
IN LOCAL DISTRICTS

NEW YORK y. y. April 24.-The
Iron Age will say: Operating conditions
at blast furnaces and steel works have
improved steadily. the leading producer
in the Pittsburgh district had 96 per
cent Of it's rated blast furnace capacity
active last week and Is per cent Of its
Bessemer and open hearth steel ca
pacity. While all companies did not
do1 so we'll. II ia probable that April
production of both pig iron and steel
will exceed the excellent showing made
in March. These results will attract
more than usual attention now that the
government is calling for an increasing
proportion Of the output. The Car
negie Steel company is now giving war
requirements practically 100 per cent
Of its rolled product. and at other CEN
trail western plants. 10 10 20 per cent
Of the shipments are on government
account Surprisingly little is heard Of
hardship TO any Woodworking indus
Try because steel mills are paying small
attention to ordinary trade. Stocks arc
playing a part now that will be missed
later But there is no doubt OF the
gradual ShrinkLec Of consumption in
less essential lines. Pleasure automo-
bflcs are a cons picuous example. When
the railroad administration is satisfied
as to the margin OF profit it can safely
allow. the railroad car orders will prob
ABLY come out. IL is not unlikely that
Canadian car builders will participate
and help make up the loss OF several
weeks of car production. duo to Wash
incton's delays. Were conditions nor
NAL. this sharing OF government bust
ness with Canadian makers protected
against American cars By 4 high tariff
wall would GALL for more than paSSiaG
notice. IRE barb wire needs of th'.
allies have Swelled to 10000 tons. of
which $4,000 tons so to Italy. while
30 ono tons are now being distributed
for France. AS yet the United States
has not entered the market. For tho
next four or five months more steel
will have to BIZ diverted to tho wire
mills than has lately been the case: and
general demand for wire products will
be- harder to satisfy. Bolt and nut
manufacturers have been much in con-
ference lately OF l29,0U0.0 600 bolts
wanted by the government to send
abroad. - per cent Will be Shinpeu
promptly from stock and the remain
dor will be put in process soon. About
- per cent of bolt and nut and rtvet
capacity is just now on Wa work a
Iar,, order for galvanized sheets Is
ucndtne. and one for painted CORFU
gated sheets may run 10 $4,000 tons.
the American ShipbuildnE company
has taken L government contract I"
build I'd vessels of we'll and canal size
for delivery from May to August. 1919,
They will require 100000 tons Of plates
mud structural shapes. Car capacity is
s,Ill pronounced. and particularly in the
south. where tons ~ thousands OF tons
Of Dig iron which the buyers need &c
cunulates at furnaces. Merchant S;ockS
or Alabama wcr" fully 2HO.phh tons on
April II. The ordnance department Is
irouiring for a0.o4p tons of i'"S*"m"r
p;.. iron for France, deliveries from
June Ia September.
Basic IRON IS bong sought hlEh ana
low Wit: l.ttlr success. y central west
,ru steel foundry is in til" market Tor
o quo tons. and al Erie. i'a~ forge
will only r.t The soon tons ii needs
for early u.s.. by government int"rvrn-
ton. Tic prohibition 81 ierT'-man-
games, imports. rffrri!vc May IL Sug-
ccs1s th:I, aluur with tn" Cur;allm"nl
of TIN. uangarrS" ore movement fr"n
Brazil there IL danger that lie iiElrGIl
-; safety may b" cut TOO i1r.