Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-20

EXPECT INCREASED
DEMAND FOR STEEL
Appointment of Schwab to
Emergency Fleet Corpora
ton Presages Activity


With the appointment of Charles NJ
Schwab, chairman of the board Of di-
rectors OF the Bethlehem steel Corpora
ton, as Director General of the Emerg-
ency Fleet Corporation, there is expect
ed to be speeding up of shipbullding
and consequent increased demand for
steel plates and other material.
II Is to be noted that the production
OF steel has really kept pace with the
demand, though certain shortages have
been interfering with the completion Of
needed finished products. The output at
present Is running at the rate Of 3OO.-
600 tons a month. of which the large
part consists of plates
There was never seen greater activity
than at present in the steel mills and
fabrcatng and finishing shops. During
the first quarter Of this year when con-
ditions of manufacture were at their
worst, there were furnished to the En1-
Urgency Fleet Corporation 6lS,177 tons
Of plates and other steel products. which
compares with requirements of about
59O,42S tons. specifications under prep
aratiOn by the Government called for
about 4,00o.000 tons for the Allies,
while orders for 100000 tons for
American use are being distributed. The
latter will be followed later on by con-
tracts for 100000.
Interest in tho trade Centered around
he shipbuilding program, when It was
ii was revealed by the Senate Com
mittoe on commerce that J. Leonard
Replogle, director of steel purchases Of
the war industries board had taken is
sue with Judge Gary and James A.
Farrcl o fthc United States steel Cor
poration and Chairman Hurley Of the
shipping board concerning the so-called
ship-plate shortage.
Mr. Replogle said that though the de-
mand for steel plates did not exceed the
unOhstructetd capacity of the mills,
there was at preScn: no acute shortage
He declared that the delay at Hog Island
was not due to the failure of the steel
mills to respond to the requests made
of them, but that il was because of the
inability To secure coal during January
and February.
The steel trade is waiting on the out
come of the program for stocking up
shpyards with plates before passing
judgment on the situation. t. is said
n the trade that ;he shpyard situa-
tion was brought about by the wealth
er and traffic conditions due TO mis-
understandings on specifications. dis
tribution of orders and the quantities
Of plates that would be consumed at
yards are new concerns that it will ;ake
some time before there is an even flow
Of material such as has been accom-
plished through the collaboration between
producers and consumers to the industry
for years past
The outlook for increased tonnages of
steel has improved with The announce
ment that the United States Steel Cor
poration is spending between 100000
and $l4,0O0,00O for extension to plant,
The corporations plants are now running
at from 30 80 93 per cent of capacity. The
war industries board requested the
railroad administration to take Bessemer
steel rails instead of open hearth steel,
the demand for which has been greatly
in excess of capacity.
Production Of pig iron continues to
increase, enough the demand exceeds the
supply. Since the beginning of this
month there has been an output increase
of about 10 per cent, following the in
crease of 80 per cent in March. Since
that time shipments have been better
due 20 the fuller car supply. Preference
has been given to steel markers who
have Government business on their books,
but it has been suggested that official
allotments be made.
The tin market is in waiting need,
looking for solution Of its difficulty
20 the conference at Washington between
the representatives of the various con-
suming industries and the war industries
board Prices are without quotable
change. There is little doing. as selling
offers are exorbitant and deliveries un-
certain.