Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-24
OPERATIONS IN STEEL
PLANTS ON INCREASE
Consumers in Market With
Large Requirements-Short-
age of Common Labor

New York, Jan. 24.-Increases in
plant operations, demand in excess
of the supply and the payment of still
higher premiums for many products
feature the present steel market. These
factors are being discussed generally all
through the trade, but it is certain that
the managements of all the leading com :
panies are giving more attention to
bringing up the output so that it will be
possible to better take care of regular
customers
During the last week there have been
some increases in the output of the
leading mills, due to a slight betterment
In the labor supply, but it is still main
tanned that there is an actual shortage
of common labor at steel centers and
there are no indications that this situa-
tion will adjust itself in the near future
to anything like a satisfactory basis.
Consumers of steel are still in the
market with large requirements and the
difficulty of obtaining the products and
or having even future orders accepted
has brought about more general prac-
tice of premium payments. 1t is stated
that the smaller companies which have
available steel are finding little or no
difficulty in getting contracts at prices
materially above those asked by the big
producers.
Gossip in the trade is that some of
the most important customers of the
leading steel companies in this country
have been paying high prices for certain
products for which they were in urgent
need. This is considered rather signifi-
cant. as these large consumers who
usually do business with but one or two
steel companies have always been taken
care of.
However. in the present circumstances
the steel companies arc sold so far ahead
on some products that they are unable
to give the deliveries requested by the
customers, and the latter have found
that they could only get their require
ments by placing their orders with some
of the smaller makers who can give
earlier shipments AS these small pro-
ducers have had premiums virtually
thrust upon them it was necessary for
the large consumers to meet the prices
which arc being paid by others.
All this presages an advance in steel
prices sooner or later. Of course, some
of the larger companies, led by the
United States Steel Corporation, will
attempt to preserve the stability of the
tion is forced to meet concessions in
prices in dull periods, it will be com :
pclled eventually to put its quotations
more in line with those of other makers.
according to trade observers.
Considerable interest is again dis
played in the coming activity of tn
railroads in the steel market Many
orders for rails and other articles have
already been placed, and just as soon
as the future of the roads is definitely
decided quite an additional tonnage will
come to the manufacturers. In fact,
there are many who assert that the
roads of the country will be the leaders
in steel buying during the present year
and possibly far into 1921.
Complaints are being heard that some
of the rail mills of the country are
unable to get all the raw materials
they will require, and this has resulted
in some contracts being declined tenn
porarily. However. this is expected to
be adjusted in due time. Buying of
light rails by all classes of users is
larger than it has been in some time
and the outlook for this branch is said
to be excellent, providing the makers
can supply all the needs of the pur-
chasers.
There has been a decided improve
ment in the buying of pig iron and
consumers are now coming into the
market for their requirements for the
second half of this year. The demand
is unusually good as compared with
previous weeks this year. but there is
still a tendency among the producers
to discourage the placing of far off de-
liveries. Prices are hardening, and
because of this many furnaces are will
ing to wait while before accepting all
the second half business that is avail
able. Some export orders, notably for
South American countries, have been
placed and additional inquiries are in
the market.