The sun., 1918-09-12
STEEL PRICE FIXING
YET Big PROBLEM
Producers Expect More Salts
factory Rate to Be Set at
Conference Here.
WEST ASKS AN ADVANCE
Lake Superior Ore Men Want
Another Raise to Meet Higher
Freight and Wages.

Price questions for the moment hold
the centre OF the stage in the iron and
steel industry according to the weekly
trade reviews, which direct attention TO
the usual quarterly conference in WASH
ington. week from to-day. between
the iron and steel manufacturers and
the War Industries Board. AS pre-
liminary numerous group meetings OF
producers In various lines are being
held
There is n we'll defined expectation
In some quarters" says the Iron Trade
Rcricp. that the Government. In fixing
schedules for the Anal three months
OF the year. may recognise price in
eaualities IN certain lines and make
allowances accordingly. Interest espe-
cially has been turned upon pig iron,
where the widening gap In production
costs In various districts has become
a more insietent factor.
'"Ehe steel Corporation is IN the mar
kct for 10000 tons OF first quarter basic
for two Eastern plants. The Govern
ment has been seeking $4,000 tons of
basic for munitions production. Gov
eminent machinery hs being centred
more upon tho holding In high or slim
ulating Of production Of pig iron, coke.
raw steel and certain rolled lines where
the immediate demand Ii most pressing,
such as shell steel and plates. The high
ranking given to blast furnaces and
steel works In the enlarged classiffca-
ton OF essential industries Issued by the
War Industries Board further signifies
this purpose"
ION Monday, September 10. full
meeting of iron and steel mRnufactur-
ers." says tho Iron Age. will be held in
New York to formulate the position
which the committee will take before the
price fixing committee at Washington
September Is.
There has been some surprise OVER
Information that the Lake Superior iron
ore producers, whose prices were put up
IS cents n ton in June. are now asking
another advance. Their claim Is that
the 50 cent increase In rail freight and
the last 10 per cent. added to wages
have used up the June increment.
THE vast scale of the plans for the
| offensive in France appears in weekly
calls for more steel. The distribution OF
| 81 900 tons of barb wire for the Gov
eminent Is just completed. with $4,000
tons for France In abeyance. when larger
war demands for this product came up
| than have been considered at any time
| thus far. In tho Cleveland district the
| placing of 100000 additional shell
| forgings Is one indication Of the tremen-
| dous recent enlargement of the NUM-
tons programme. The ordinary con-
| sumer's chance of getting steel. Judged
solely by the developments OF the last
week. will grow steadily less In the fnal
| quarter of the year.
Some letting down of demand may
come in the structural field. Probably
all the fabricated ship work for next
year has been contracted for. and It IL
expected that all essential work will be
| let before 1919, with a total that will no,
keep the monthly volume of awards &c
| the 60 to IS per cent OF capacity tina,
! has been the rule SO far this year. The
POOR financial showings OF the railroads
may rule out much railroad bridge work
| that earlier was thought certain"