New-York tribune., 1920-03-26
Record Copper
Consumption in
The Past Year
John D. Ryan Says World
Used About 2.97O,OOO,-
600 Pounds; Stocks in
Europe Now at Minimum


,opper industry, due primarily to the
J 'lsudden ending of the war, the worlds
consumption of the metal during the
Ilas. twelve months was approximately
issTo,0 900 pounds, total in excess
oi the production for any year in the
history of the trade, including the war
years.
This figure, showing the consumption
Of the last year, was contained in a
Is.atement issued yesterday by John D.
Ryan in his capacity as president of
l:he Conner Export Association, which
Ihss Just completed compilation IN
ldicating that copper stocks in Europe
| hsve been reduced to the absolute
minimum with which those countries
can carry on business.
| Made Study of Situation
"a year ago this month";" said Mr..
Ryan. "the presantatives of the Cop
| Der Export Association visited the
Countries of Europe, excepting the Cen
ual Empires and Russia, that are i'm
portant in the consumption of copper
and made the most accurate possible
determinations as to stocks of the
metal on hand in the form of raw cop
per and scrap which was left as re-
suit OF the manufacture of munitions.
From the most definite figures OBJ
1inable covering the years business,
18th production and consumption, in
ais country and the countries of
Europe, excluding the Central Empires
and Russia, we are now able to deter
Ame quite accurately what the con-
mnstion was during the year ending
8 WITH this month and what is the state
Of the industry as regards stocks of
finished metal on hand, and, further,
what is the prospect for the year ahead.
sour committee reported that the
/ stocks on hand at that time. exclud-
! ing the Central Empires and Russia.
| aggregated about 45,oo0,0O0 pounds Of
new copper and 100000 pounds of
\ copper in scrap. This amount included
| about 100000 pounds Of copper be-
Onging to the foreign governments
Ehich were then held on this side, but
aaye since been exported, and 75,00o,-
100 pounds of Australian copper that
lad been accumulated by the British
goyernment and left in Australia for
sck Of shipping during the war, max
ing total Of available stocks in those
countries of $50 100000 pounds.
\ "The production for the year out
|side Of the United States refneries was
about 450, 5000 pounds, and through
|tha United States refineries 100000
40 pounds; the stock of copper pur-
aased by producers from the United
Mates government surplus was 10o,-
10000 pounds, and the copper con-
'snts Of the government stocks Of scrap
% the hands OF manufacturers 10000
seo pounds, making a total Of European
s'ocks, worlds production and stocks
acquired from the government Of $780,
10000 pounds.
From this must be deducted an in
crease in the refinery stocks of the
ualted States of 240,oO0,oOo pounds,
sao the estimated stocks Of copper and
ssap IN Europe Of 22o,ooo,ooo pounds,
total of 4S0,000,000 pounds, leav-
z'Sfo,o0o,000 pounds, which is in ex-
is'ory, including the war years.
Stocks at absolute Minimum
The fact that the consumption in
vae year has reduced the stocks in
europe to the absolute minimum with
salsn these countries can carry on
suslness, and has wiped out ali the
sovernments' surplus stocks, with only
-ssainal consumption in Germany,
sacn has heretofore been, outside Of
M ,.s United States, the principal copper
.SSusuning w. nation of the world, leaves
M se metal situation such that the only
s"ess available for new consumption
s,s ny heId by the American producers,
|au she amount unsold is not more
ssa sufficient to furnish a reasonable
II 1--WE ~ considering the worlds needs"
~ ar. Ryan said that plans under way
~. es'ending credits to European buy
s,s.. ~ o. copper were progressing. In the
n.ds .as that definite arrangement is
sss.sa asSs by which credits will be ad-
sln slnncec es ne said that foreign buyers
ss... su lake from 2ia to ga times as much
sSpsr ,ms as they have been buying. The
lhg lh|tsslG the !. consumption Of copper dur
Ill., me last half OF 1919, according to
nyan' was equal to the world
yssssamptlon yss. Of any of the pre-war