The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-28
SAY STRIKE FEARS
ARE OYERSTATED
Steel Trade Believes Strength
Of Movement Exaggerated,
Asserts "Iron Age"
WELCOMES POWER TEST
Manufacturers and Consumers
Not Taking Precautions,
Declares Review.


OF Labor has been greatly overstated,
in the judgment Of the steel trade. ac-
cording to weekly summaries to be is
sued to-day. and the entire trade. In
the opinion of the reviews, welcomes
the rapid approach to a decisive stage
In which a demonstration OF the claims
Of strength on the part Of the unions
will be called for. The Iron Age points
out that neither manufacturers nor con-
sumers of steel appear to be taking safe
guarding steps as to stocks or shipments
OF materials commonly seen when a
strike is considered imminent
THE number OF men voting" says
that publication, has been carefully
suppressed. The Presidents stand
against sweeping railroad wage ad-
vance has not helped the steel strike
drive. If steel works mechanics strike
they may shut down some departments,
but the large majority of mill workers
are opposed to being thrown idle.
"a significant development was the
action OF representatives OF Midvale
Steel and Ordnance Company employees,
gathered in their quarterly meeting, In
dc ring against a shorter days work
and an increased wage and calling Tor
increased production and Sterilization
Of prices in conformity with wages now
being paid
AT one Eastern and one Western steel
plant eight hour turns have just been
granted, but at the former the output
went down because enough men could
not be found for three shifts.
Export Trade Expands.
export trade made up OF so many
kinds of material in moderate and small
tonnages that its magnitude is scarcely
appreciated is still expanding. The
Orient South America and neutral coun-
tries OF Europe are good buyers. while
business with allied Europe waits
Japan and the South African Govern
ment are buying railroad equipment
here, the latter ordering 500 gondola
cars One large steel export company
has found its August business the best
of the year.
Gar repair work is coming up In the
absence OF new railroad equipment or
ders. The Pennsylvania Railroad asks
bids on 5000 hoppers for old trucks. the
whole requiring $4,000 tons of plates,
shapes and bars. The Chesapeake and
Ohio will repair 1000 cars and Con-
nellsville road 200. For the Union Tank
Line Company 1000 tank cars are to
be bought and the Mexican Petroleum
| Company will buy 600. The largest
structural contract of the week Is 1000
tons for the Hotel Linnard, New York.
1.-THE recent cut by a Pittsburg mill to
$3.50 on plates for the navy and to
! s2.40 on shapes has not carried the COM
mercial market to the level. However,
| the So a ton extra for Lioyds' inspec-
ton Of ship plates is being waived. One
Eastern plate mill has taken 10000 tons
for export IN the past fortnight, chiefly
1 to Japan" ,-.,4
The Iron Trade Reuiep telegraphs
from Cleveland the following review of
| conditions Strike threats which have
overhung the iron and steel industry for
several weeks still exercise inconsequen-
tial influence upon trade conditions. The
industry in truth welcomes with some
show Of relief the fact that the decisive
stage rapidly is approaching where a
demonstration of the claims of strength
of the union organizers viii be called
for. Producers stand firm In their con-
viction that the great body of their EN-
4 ployees, because of fair treatment of the
past and lack OF valid grievances, are
not likely to be swayed by any propa-
ganda of discord inspired by profess
sional agitators.
| Few steel Men IN n H. l..
"a thorough investigation covering
the entire steel industry shows that II
to 10 per cent OF the men at most ar,
affiiiated with the American Federation
of Labor. II a strike really is called, 4
was thought, 1t will apply more to vari
Gus trades crafts about the plants thar
to mill workers, and its effort will b,
limited accordingly. Because of the pre-
| 4, 80
at blast furnaces operators may be NOR,
exposed to the effects of a strike cal
than other departments of the industry
THE week has witnessed the ciearinJ
up of some points of disturbance tina
II had existed Ore again is moving freel,
by reason of the return to work Of dock
men at upper lake ports. The loss o
shipments sustained through the inter
ruption has not been important becaus
the seasons ore demand has been back
ward.
: MIL and furnace production in tn
: Chicago district. which was affected b,
} the lack of cars and locomotives, grow
ing out of the shipments walkout, ha
: been restored to about normal basis Al
: plants OF the American Steel and Wiz
3 Company at Cleveland, except the cen
trail group OF furnaces, are operating
l though not at full capacity. An increas
r in the difficulty of producers In variou
. lines to accommodate new orders NOR
: plainly is manifest. Several leadin
= makers of steel bars have withdraw
I from the market and will promise deliy
cries only against regular contracts an
4 these not before an extended date. On
large Independent company has put II
I price up SO, or to ESQ cents Pittsbur
to the outside trade.
= "Wire makers are filled up with OF
! ders to keep them well occupied
January /. Consumers OF tin plate,
, is clear, have sharply underestimate
!. their needs this year, and 1t is a ques
. ton how they can be accommodates
Largo export inquiries. one for 100, 90
n boxes and another for a large amour
" probably Will have to be surrendere
to the foreign mills.
"Tin plate mills are running aroun
95 per cent Plates still reflect an Ii
regular condition. New ship contract
are providing more tonnage, howeve
Chicago reporting four new awards I
!. lake yards, including two for Norwa,
q AT Cleveland $4,000 tons for a lars
y bank and office building are in prelim
50 nary negotiations"
% Exports From New York.