Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-20
PAY. ROLLS HEAVIER
IN STEEL INDUSTRY
Spurred Auto Output and Oil
Trade Demand for Metal
Are Factors.

s neelal Disna,ch 70 The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
NEW YORK. January 20.-There has
been several increases in the pay rolls
Of the steel companies in nearly every
steel center OF the country in the last
week. This trend is likely to continue if
orders now pouring in can be taken as
an accurate indicator.
Some Of the orders have been due to
the stepping up Of the automobile pro-
cuctlon. But the improvement in the
oil industry. which is more sentimental
than real has been responsible for the
ordering of huge amounts Of pipe and
OIL country equipment The new natural
gas lines have added their quota.
Building programs have assured a de-
nland for an unusual amount Of struc-
tuI2l steel owing TO the open Winter.
Auto accessory manufacturers have
come freely into the market and rail-
road buying. so slack last year. is max
ing itself felt il additional demand.
Demand for Ore.
The activity SO plainly shown in cast
Ing 8 reflection on the condition Of those
industries affiliated with the iron and
steel trade. iron mining prospects are
looking Up on the Northern ranges. for
there Will be an inSistent iron ore de-
Na06 from the Lake Erie district this
ye<sc.
The Mcsabi Range shipments de-
cl2neG IL 1927 to S2.6l6,7 100 tons. from
S7.9Il,739 III 1926. The total Mime
sofa shipments for 1927 fell of 1914 per
cent, 10 IS, T63. 2S3 tons. The Mime
sofa mines contain enough ore 10 meet
demands at the present rate for fully
20 years without discovering new prop
critics. 1t is estimated there are 1,261,-
S2e~so tons IN reserve.
Shipments from the Lake Superior re-
Elon, including Minnesota. Michigan
and Wisconsin. tCtaled 5i.l0T,000 tons
IN the last year. drop OF over S.400 900
tors. It seems assured that the pro-
ouctlon from this district viii be speed
ed up and Winter operations leave that
prospect in little doubt. The MeSSabl
Mountain Mine. near Virginia, MINI.
was the largest individual producer, with
owned mine, and operations must be
rushed Il all the ore is 10 be removed
before the lease expires.
Electric Shovels Working.
Considerable development work has
been done in the last year. and many
electric shovels have been put in opera
ton. since many mines formerly oper-
ate6 through shafts have been turned
into open-plt producers.
The coal and coke demands from
the mills are exDacfed 10 keep pace with
Improvement. This added demand is
sorely needed in the coal districts, which
have been suffering severe depression.
Considerable interest IS being shown in
the operations Of new plant just
started by the National Tube Co. for
smelling iron ore by .oT temperature
and magnetic methods. The process
eliminates the blast furnace and 1t is
predicted that eventually all steel will
be made directly from the ore.
Sheet and strip steel manufacturers
are feeling the effect OF buying ty au-
tcn1obile makers and accessory manu-
facturers. The Murray Ohio Co IS 10:
cniv using a large amount in making
bodies, but in the manufacture Of top
autos. wagons and cars Otis Steel. in
Cleveland, is az 100 per cent Of capac-
ftT. and the Corrigan, McKinny Steel
Co has lust lighted two additional fur
races- The Fisher Body plant, making
bodies tOr Chevrolet. is using a large
additional steel tonnage.
Plants at Capacity.
Youngstown Boiler Il Tank and Gen.
e-sl FiTeprc0Grg are at capacity. Pre-
6ict3ons are that steel operations in
Ohio for the next few months viii be
20 % II per cent larger than a year
ago
Carnegie Steel is calling men back at
Wheeling. SteubenFille and other plants
as well as al Homestead and McKees
Rocks. The McClintic Marshall Co
has started its fabrication plant at
Rankin, Pa 70 work on the steel for
WEr r1F~ Y1wFl -
Pittsburgh Steel Products is going hard
after foreign business and Jones &;
Laughlin are planning extensive i'm
proTernents under direction OF T. IL
Giroier. the new president.