Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-07
PRODUCTION In STEEL
SOMEWHAT REDUCED
Car Shortage Having Effect
That Cannot Be Minimized.
Storage Facilities Taxed

NO" York. Feb. If anything,
production of the larger steel plants has
Deen reduced somewhat during the last
week. as reports received in local quar-
ters indicate that the car shortage is
having an effect which cannot be mini
mized. Some of the larger plants have
products ready to deliver, but find it i'm
possible to secure the equipment from
the railroads with which to ship out the
products.
AS result some storage facilities are
oelng taxed considerably and there is no
relief in sight. In addition to interfering
with shipments quite a few complaints
are heard that shipments into the plants
OF raw materials are being held up, and
" Is probably true that this latter con
aitlon Is doing more toward curtailment
than any other factor.
Ihere has been no let-up in the de-
mand for steel products and the attitude
OF the buyers appears to be unchanged,
consumers are coming into the market
ilght along. with inquiries, some extend
ihg Tor deliveries up to the beginning of
the last quarter of this year, Most of
this business is not being accepted. and
IL IS not likely that the attitude of the
makers in this connection will he
changed until such time as the situation
indicates what can be done in the future.
Labor scarcity continues. but this is
que probably to the policy of discrimipa-
tion SHOWN on the part of the managers
OF properties. 1t Is stated that the in
crease IN wages which has been granted
TO common labor did not result in sny
addition to the available supply and in
view OF the high wages being paid in ali
classes OF employment, it is not expected
mat any definite development will come
from the wage increase.
.ine !act that many makers are de-
Ginning all new business at present he,
cause they are sold up for az least the
nrst half Of this year has resulted in
only increasing the anxiety of some con-
sumers TO place orders. Premiums are
again being paid for many products.
and the belief prevails, at least in In,
dependent steel circles, that an actual
later. ''oAe' vi
hold to its policy of stability and Mil Mil
not make a change until II Ia forcad
upon the management, but this will only
be repetition of what has occurred on
previous occasions in the trade. In
stagnant markets the CORPORATION has
always held to its prices until all the
independents had made reductions. and
the same is done in a strong situation
when others are receiving premiums
However, when all the independents
have finally come out openly with an.
nonncements that prices have been ad.
Vanced there Is no doubt that the cor
poration will follow. In some quar-
ters 1t is asserted that the advance in
wages for laborers, which was made bv
the steel corporation and followed bv The
independents, must necessarily mean
higher prices eventually.
The pipe market continues To attract
chief attention in the steel trade, Re.
ports that premiums of $40 per ton on
small lots were paid by one consumer
cannot be confirmed, but it is known
that premiums ranging from $i0 to SIa
per ton are common, The materisf ;S
difficult to obtain and the makers are
sold far ahead, which has resulted in
the producers declining new business
Producers. of semifnished steel are
withdrawing from the markat
so far as first hall deliveries are con-
cerned. INQUIRIES for tonnages. which
were put out during the past week
failed to bring about ary interest on
tne part OF sellers, and it is stated that
only moderate tonnages could be se.
cured II buyer were to make a definite
offer, of higher prices because deliveries
could not be given when requested.
The big iron market is strong. VAL |
,ey furnaces have announced a price of |
SAB for Bessemer and the consumers
have placed orders at the new figure
although the toEnages involved Sero
moderate. However, the indications are
that the furnaces will get all the CON
tracts they can handle, and producers
are said to be more optimistic now than
ever before. '1A