The Iron Age 1927-01-20: Vol 119 Iss 3

For the convenient news summary see the color page in the Editorial Section Tue Iron ACE JANUARY 20, 1927 Did you ever get the facts on belt ‘costs in other plants? There is always the possibility that belt costs in other plants are lower than yours. Did you ever get the facts? We don’t know just what your belting ex- perience has been but we do know that Duxbak Belts are always bought with the cost factor in mind. If your belt costs aren’t what they should be in comparison with other plants Duxbak Belts are just what you need to get down with the best of them. SBA, fl nln Belt Manufacturers 37 Ferry Street, New York *+DO LAST LONGER’ THE IRON AGE January 20, 1927 i he PLAY ry Ul AN e2ee¢ YY qt x} a A XY } Sit PA seo SSW NN is KTS TRAIT KD OT Et A Perfect Inventory No Overstocks—No Understocks Wouldn’t it be splendid if you could get along from year to year without either a shortage of material or embarrassment on account of obsolete stock which must be sold for scrap? Of course, this is impossible on every item. On the other hand, when it comes to most of your steel requirements it should be comparatively easy—just tear up the inventory card and send in your requisitions to Ryerson. This will eliminate the necessity of expensive storage space, capital tied up in slow moving stock, depreciation, waste ends, etc. An organization maintaining a stock of 150,000 tons of steel, with acres of warehouses and hundreds of trucks at nine strategically located plants, can get the steel to you almost as quickly as a requisition on your own storeroom. Bars Plates Reinforcing Steel Boiler Tubes Shapes Sheets Firmtread Plates and Fittings Structurals Rivets Forging Bars Alloy Steel Rails Bolts Billets Tool Steel Shafting Wire Turnbuckles Small Tools Strip Steel Chain Babbitt Metal Machinery, etc. Write for the Ryerson Journal and Stock List— the"‘‘key’’ to Immediate Steel. JOSEPH T. RYERSON & SON tc. ESTABLISHED 1642 PLANTS: CHICAGO ST. LOUIS CLEVELAND NEW YORK MILWAUKEE CINCINNATI DETROIT BUFFALO BOSTON REPRESENTATION IN: DENVER LOUISVILLE SAN FRANCISCO JERSEY CITY MINNEAPOLIS TULSA HOUSTON LOS ANGELES NEWARK ESTABLISHED 1855 THE IRON ACE New York, January 20, 1927 VOL. 119, No. 3 Alloying Unit for Gray Iron Plants Suggested Avenue to Prestige and Profits for Iron Maker and Melter Through Metallurgical Im- provement-—Getting Rid of “Off Irons” BY H. P. PARROCK* EVELOPMENT along metallurgical lines is the prime need of the gray iron foundry industry. In a span of some 25 years the improvement in molding machines, sand-handling and tempering equipment, cleaning tools, charging devices, cranes, flasks—all the mechanical items—has been almost phenomenal. The period is also marked by the construction of highly spe- cialized buildings, adapted to the trade, equipped with every convenience for labor, designed with due thought for working conditions, safety of operator, and for all those elements which tend to increase tonnage, lower costs and improve quality. With the coming of the modern gas plant, the quality of coke has improved; and the general quality of pig iron of standard grades is undoubtedly better than ever before. But, except for one well-known brand of chrome- nickel iron, the use of nickel as an admixture in auto- mobile cylinder irons, and possibly the addition of ferro- alloys in hand ladles—a wasteful, uncertain method— little has been done to influence the fundamental char- acter of gray iron as such. Standard Irons a Staple One great national engineering society has dropped its specifications for gray iron castings, as unnecessary, in view of the similarity of irons within a generally *Engineer, 64 Francis Street, Brookline, Mass. mm QUAGAUEANANANNAUODLNUOGRONULEDANULDALLLUONN0LgN0OC NOCD ENATEO NNT foundry problems, as foundry equipment. Since devoting special attention to the lines mentioned. He is a member father’s papers while still a young boy. LLU (UOMUMANODGADRSTOORLDNANTAUUOOONEAGARUGGALOOUU GL UTYOORSONQOUONN EEE DUU AULUOUU ARALOND OANA UOEEHL A recognized range in silicon, suitable to the require- ments. Another specifies a strength test only, with test bars cast under standard conditions. The value of iron kas been lost sight of in the blinding glare of astound- ing success in the steel, malleable and non-ferrous cast- ing divisions of the industry—a success brought about by the intelligent initiative of these competitive fields. The automotive trade has offered an unusual market, an unprecedented incentive in tonnage and price; but it certainly has not withheld opportunity from the iron group. If development has resulted from initiative on the one hand, then failure to advance is attributable to inertia on the other. The jobbing gray iron foundry trade, particularly in those sections of the country which have not felt the demand of new industry, has been standing still—or going back, in the scale of relative importance. But the present demand for chrome-nickel irons, limited though it may be, and the use of nickel in cylinders, indicate that improvement is under way and imminent. Leadership here has come largely from the alloy-steel industry, influenced again by the auto- motive trade and its valuable technical association, al- though in this respect the value of the much older Mushet and Taylor cutting steels should not be for- gotten. But that iron responds to correct alloying with QORUULUUYOANAG'S 5 QOPPRRRERORIODAN TENSE? 0bREOLADRS DSTO P. Parrock has had operating experience in steel mills and e foundries ever since he was graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1901. He has made partiewlar study of regards cost of production, earning power, operating conditions, and commercial possibilities of various types of 1922 he has been a consulting engineer, of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, and Society of Automotive Engineers. English by birth, he became naturalized through his AUSPENUENULEOELOENNGETUI NUTTY MU 204 THE IRON many metals, other than those the old foundryman knew, must be evident. Silicon, manganese, phosphorus and sulphur have always been incidental to gray iron, and their influence and control are fairly well known and regulated. But there is also value in chromium, nickel, vanadium, manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, cerium, zirconium, aluminum, and probably other metals. It is true that some of the metals have little com- mercial value in cast iron practice today, but tomorrow may bring them into common use. Stainless steel was a curiosity—for a moment. Manganese steel, for rail- road cross-over points, was a hard metal to handle, at first; but courage, skill and intelligent initiative have made it a most valuable alloy. The gray iron foundry business needs leadership in the technical, metallurgical study of iron, paralleling the tremendous work of the steel maker. It is the candid intention here to suggest that this research is the duty of the iron-maker, the one agent capable of collecting data, correlating facts, of advancing theories and of testing conclusions. Obviously such work cannot be carried on without expense, so that I take the further liberty of suggest- ing equipment and a method of procedure by which a reasonable return may be had on the investment, under ordinary conditions of practice. Whatever return may accrue from the prestige that distinguishes one iron- maker from another, arising from quality of product, from continuity of operation, or from service, is too intangible for reduction to statement, at least in an analysis of this sort. It is intended here to suggest a practical method of improving the gray iron foundry trade by increasing the range of useful irons by the use of alloys; while at the same time the iron-maker is to be afforded a means of protecting himself against the loss in time, money, and often in reputation, arising from “off-iron;” and, further, is to be afforded an evident widening of the iron market. It is also probable that, as this pro- posed plan is developed, an appreciable curtailment may be had in the grades of ore carried for mixing purposes, with consequent reduction in investment and better regulation of practice. Open-Hearth and Electric Furnaces What I propose is the use of an open-hearth furnace of suitable size and type, conveniently placed to take hot metal, with a small complementary electric furnace for melting alloys. This melting and alloying unit would constitute an intermediary step between the blast furnace and the pig machine, for only that part of the furnace output which can be alloyed to advantage, or which may be corrected for silicon, phosphorus, manganese and possibly carbon. In this discussion an acid bottom hearth is assumed, and statements are based on the melting practice in- herent in that construction. The action of a basic hearth or of a rammed ore hearth, or of a theoretically neutral hearth, is recognized as presenting further phases of the problem. But the limiting condition does not affect the general principles of this proposal. While the use of the present mixer is well estab- lished as a means of correcting successive taps by aver- aging the product, and of providing an intermediary collecting point exercising a steady influence on the process in both steel plant and foundry practice, the mixer is not a melting or alloying unit. As an auxiliary between furnace and foundry, to regulate production and to average the mixture toward a standard formula, the mixer serves a definite purpose. But for alloying or even for carburizing or con- trolling silicon, manganese, phosphorus or sulphur, the higher temperature of the regenerative furnace (or its equal) is necessary. The complementary small electric AGE January 20, 1927 furnace in which not only the alloy itself, or the com- mercial ferroalloy corresponding, but iron amounting to from 2 to 5 per cent of that charged on the hearth would be melted with the alloy, would make what may be termed the “rich alloy.” Such solution of the alloy in a relatively large bath at high temperature insures quick and thorough solu- tion of the alloy in the open-hearth heat, which in turn has been superheated probably 100 deg. above the usual ladle temperature. The resulting alloy-iron is of a quality which the foundryman cannot reach with the melting units and general facilities at his disposal. Further, the waste in alloys in ordinary foundry prac- tice is high, due to spilling, low temperature of the bath (generally the ladle) and the more or less haphazard method of the industry in such matters. Getting Rid of All “Off Irons” In the case of “off irons,” the hearth affords a simple means of correction, even for iron that has been stacked in the yard from previous bad runs. The added expense of melting cold iron is recognized, but it is my belief that a furnace often pays more for “off iron” than it would pay for correcting it. A foundryman is suspicious of a long list of heats often sent him in answer to an inquiry for a high-manganese iron, or a “low-phos” iron, with the general instruction: “Choose your own.” It would be better for the iron trade, manifestly better for the metal trades and the foundryman, if “off irons” were eliminated, kept off the market. The practice in the steel trade of allowing no stock that does not meet standard specifications to get outside the gate is worth consideration. In the melting of “off irons” and its correction, the use of local scrap presents possibilities of lower cost of mixture. For an auxiliary melting unit of one open-hearth furnace and complementary electric furnace capable of handling 30,000 to 50,000 tons per year, or say one- fifth to one-third the output of a modern jobbing stack, the initial outlay is estimated to run $150,000 to $200,- 000, depending on location, availability and kind of fuel, existing current capacity, and other factors. Con- version expense from hot metal would range between $1.75 and $1.25 per ton, depending on cost of fuel and operating factors—not including the cost of alloys or other additions. With nickel at 40c., chromium at 15c., both net in the alloy pig, the sale price of an iron of 1 per cent nickel and chromium made from No. 2 foundry iron (1.75 to 2.25 per cent silicon), as quoted, might be: Base Iron, No. 2 Foundry, Buffalo $19.00 per gross ton Nickel, 1 per cent, 22.4 lb. at 40c. 8.96 Chromium, 1 per cent, 22.4 Ib. at Pk: assess s.00 0666 bbe hk odes 3.36 LO Sissceecicns eee eee ues 1.48 Cost, or sale price......... $32.80 (2285 Ib.) er Ec chs ae bas $32.15 per gross ton Evidently the cost of such iron to the foundryman is relatively less at high alloy content than at low, since the conversion charge remains fairly constant. But too high content introduces the danger of segregation or of waste through overcharging when running mixed heats. Research not only covering the alloy content but also the manganese, silicon and phosphorus con- tents corresponding, would result in correct grading of a useful series of irons of this class, opening the field for subsequent work. Overcharging, that is, using too much alloy-iron in . the desire to have enough special iron as a mixed heat comes down, is a less serious matter when the alloy content is low. The foundryman running alloy-iron throughout the mixture, established in such trade, would probably prefer the high-content alloy, using it as 4 mixing iron. Further, analysis of methods of making alloy-iron merely confirms the opinion that the furnace January 20, 1927 can make such alloys for less money than the foundry- man can. The certainty of alloying, the guarantee of mixtures, elimination of waste, purchasing power, method of manufacture, tonnage, class of labor in charge, research—all these factors are on the iron- maker’s side. Alloying is a furnace, not a foundry, problem, in my opinion. Briefly the advantage to the iron-maker of an auxiliary unit such as that described would appear to be: (a) A wider market for iron arising from the use of alloys. (b) Reduction or elimination of “off irons,” with consequent ability to market special irons —high-manganese, for instance. (c) Steady furnace practice due to elimina- tion of special ores, with consequent decrease in inventories. (d) A more even market arising from a more diversified product easily obtained. (e) Leadership, prestige and profit. With furnaces about evenly distributed across the country, iron markets will tend toward localization. THE IRON AGE 205 The foundries will gather around the nearest iron that promises the best service, as they have done before. But with iron coming in from Central Europe, of ex- cellent quality generally, with special iron from Sweden being laid down in Ohio, with foreign pipe makers under-bidding American makers, questions of diversification of product, uniformity in quality, widen- ing of market become important. That the foundry industry and the metal trades will benefit to the advantage of all, if the present beginnings in alloy-irons are carried to logical con- clusions, seems evident. It is not good sense to say that the use of alloys will revolutionize the iron foundry industry. But nickel, chromium, titanium, aluminum, among other metals now in use, do produce definite effects on gray iron. What is there beyond the present facts? And that the foundry industry will greatly improve the quality of its product, if it may operate with less haphazard “mixing,” is evident from many foundry records. We suggest study, research, development of the known facts by the iron-maker, and closer cooperation between furnace and foundry. EFFECTS OF SAFETY WORK Accidents Reduced in Twelve Years to Small Fraction of Initial Rate Accident frequency rates, for a group of iron and steel plants in which safety work has been stressed, are reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period from the end of 1913 to the end of 1925. The index, based on 1,000,000 hours of exposure, was reduced for a group of such plants from 60.3 in December, 1913, to 8.2 in December, 1925. These plants, which produce approximately 50 per cent of the steel output, were not only among the first to undertake accident prevention, but |00 have continued a safety campaign with great energy and persistence. Not all departments investigated have shown the same measure of improvement. Using five- 80 year periods to smooth the curve and to eliminate heavy fluctuations in specific years, the average of 1907 to 1911 for the industry at large is given as 69.2, this figure being reduced to 31.3 as an 60- average for 1921 to 1925. Figures of Departments Blast furnaces had an accident rate higher 40 than the average in the earliest period (76.1) and lower (29) in the latest. Bessemer con- verters show a reduction from 101.5 to 17, or ap- proximately five-sixths. Open-hearth furnaces 20 have dropped from 84.2 to 29.9 in the period cov- ered. Foundries, on the other hand, have shown a slight increase in accident rates, going from 60.1 to 63.1. The foundries have shown a maxi- 0 mum during the period of 65.1 and a minimum States for each million population, compared with 846 per million in 1911. This reduction has come in spite of an increase, during the interval, of more than seven- fold in deaths per million population from automobile accidents. These went up from 22 to 156 in 13 years. Meantime, however, deaths from steam railroads were reduced from 130 to 65, or just one-half, and from street cars from 32 to 16, again one-half. Reductions were recorded also in fatal accident rates from falls, burns and drownings, these being among the largest causes in the list. Other countries have shown a reduction in the totals, comparable with that of the United States. In x ww ek p S S= le z= = vy oe & S = >. tt “2 te a 2) => =z So wT) Ss & ‘ S = «ae = <F & ~ ly > 3S w S S ~ wy S Q > & < > > q & > > a Q & x = x , w Q y N ~ ~ = w wy ly = y of 57. Heavy rolling mills have been below the Large Reductions in Accident Rates Were Recorded Between general average throughout the range of years. The latest figure is 18.1 against 61 in the 1907 to 1911 period. Plate mills showed a progressive reduction from 69.4 to 26.8, and sheet mills from 44.1 to 33.2. For all the cases covered, the 1925 figures give 277 deaths, 1091 cases of permanent disability, and 36,404 cases of temporary disability, a total of 37,772 for an employment list equivalent to 445,223 full-year work- ers. The rate of fatal accidents has been cut in two, compared with 1910 to 1914; the rate of permanent dis- abilities has been reduced 40 per cent; the rate of tem- porary disabilities has been cut in two. In 1924 there were 762 fatal accidents in the United the 1907-11 Average and That for 1921-25. The stippled area is the recent record. Foundries showed a slight in- crease in accidents those countries listed, however, the rate has been only about one-half that of the United States, thereby giv- ing credence to the general belief that Americans are prone to “take chances.” Thus the 1924 figures include 34.1 for England and Wales against 76.2 for the United States. Other figures are 45.2 for Scotland, 28.3 for Belgium, 46.1 for New Zealand, 48 for Australia, 56.5 for Canada and 39.6 for Norway. Some of these fig- ures relate to 1922 or 1923, as being the latest available information. Exports and Imports Gain in 1926 Comparisons of Iron and Steel Movement with 1925 and 1924—What Markets the In- creases Affected BY L. W. MOFFETT* affected this country in 1926, was characterized by the sharp gain in exports to the Far East and North and Central America and the penetration into the United States of German and Belgian tonnage. With exports from the United States during the 11 months aggregating 1,968,859 gross tons, the entire 12 months will show the 2,000,000-ton mark easily passed and the greatest outgoing movement since 1921, when the total was 2,209,864 tons. In 1923, exports from the United States amounted to 2,010,171 tons, but those for 1926 will go well beyond this figure. The monthly average for the 11 months of 1926 of 178,987 tons, added to the 1l-month total, would make 2,147,845 tons for the complete year. Of the exports during the 11 months, 465,198 tons went to the Far East, a striking increase over the 298,441 tons exported to that section in 1925. A large gain also was made in exports to North and Central America and West Indies during the 11 months, amounting to 1,038,059 tons, against 866,595 tons during all of 1925. An increase of approximately 30,- 000 tons was made during the 11 months in exports to South America, with a total of 326,667 tons, as com- pared with 296,020 tons during the 12 months of 1925. No perceptible change was made in exports to Europe, the 11 months showing a total of 126,541 tons as against 132,481 tons for the year 1925. pba rote trade in iron and steel products, as it *Washington editor, THp IRON AGE, United States Imports of Iron and Steel (In Gross Tons) The greatest gain in exports to the Far East was made in the Japanese market, with a total of 227,556 tons during the 11 months as against 132,890 tons in 1925; but a loss was shown in this market when com- pared with 1924, when the total was 277,893 tons. Canada, the leading market for exports of iron and steel products, took 781,560 tons during the 11-month period, against 614,662 tons in 1925 and 554,471 tons in 1924. During the 11 months of 1926 and the years 1925 and 1924 Canada took the greatest portion of ex- ports of such products as plates, galvanized sheets, plain and galvanized wire, steel bars and tin plate. World distribution of some of these products was widely scattered, however, and in some instances other coun- tries closely approached Canada as destinations. Such was the case of tin plate, exports to Japan during the 11 months of 1926 being 41,263 tons as against 43,263 tons for Canada. Japan was the leading destination of exports of tin plate during both 1925 and 1924, taking 38,794 tons and 53,984 tons, respectively. During the 11 months of last year Japan was the most important foreign market for black steel sheets, taking 78,582 tons, and likewise received the heaviest exports of this item in 1924, taking 101,606 tons, while in 1925 shipments of black steel sheets to that country declined to 38,234 tons. Japan also was the greatest foreign consumer of American steel rails during the 11 months of 1926, taking 28,283 tons. HNOLUU{4NC040004 0000 ON SSOUATEAAMUARASNNAN SAUNAS 4404501041 4444 04444044 U0 LUULUSUUBURSEDOOEEU ETO SOCOM AM United States Imports of Pig Iron by Principal Coun- tries of Shipment, January-November, in 1926 1926 1925 1924 (In Gross Tons) United (11 Months) (Entire Year) b ateie a ono 471 Germany India Belgium France Kingdom Be igium > * se" 912.712 168.990 93.568 JOMURE 6 0 narex's 8,395 9,329 930 4,663 15,833 Czechoslovakia 2 1,754 2529 565 February - - 16,869 10,243 1,230 7,691 15,826 France .. " 421'540 86.539 70,076 POOR i wivuvses 13,900 14,558 1,733 2,150 12,250 Germany ... _... 949.725 105,094 27,147 CE din obs armen tnbit 13,529 9,798 650 5,051 15,651 Netherlands : 86.205 66,936 36,142 Ae 25 ... 21,419 11,848 1,100 5,478 12,236 Norway ; a as 15.150 &.389 12,209 SOE ciksavecs a: Ree 10,775 5 5 eae 8,275 Soviet Russia ... 7" rs 4,787 er cs w was ,one SORTS 4,885 450 1,800 8,724 Sweden ...... ; 31,911 20,902 August ........ 138300 4,067 ae i 3,244 United Kingdo 155,487 124,884 September .... 10,415 3,742 40 re Canada 84.774 83,344 October ....... 12,565 454 aes 500 tees Mexico 1.420 627 November ..... 9,701 1,879 1,350 1,116 4 Cuba a L< mn ; 32,487 6,881 — : me ; —— = 7 me ts a eee -? 2946 ae Total ..... 146,101 81,578 7,488 28,449 92,043 ee reas as en Dai 1,015 . eae British Indie... 81.735 185,347 70.979 United States Imports of Pig Iron by Principal Coun- Ce. Ahi ob caw. aki ial 263 2,524 tries of Origin Belgium Congo..... . —_ 1,653 903 All other countries 15,998 3,033 4,577 (In Gross Tons) ~ - - — ———___—_. 1926 1925 1924 le . 1,035,531 943,085 556.814 (11 Months) (Entire Year) ee ee 430,819 441,425 209,109 Imports of Iron and Steel Products Into the United ae a ante bee aes 11,878 \ ° nitec ingdom 92,043 96,865 52,595 States, During 11 Months of 1926, from Four Germany ..... tee. 146;101 75,052 11,228 Leading Countries of Origin Retherianis 75-088 +408 33ers elgium ..... 7,488 ,068 O18 (In Gross Tons) France A bho ss 28,449 9,814 23,208 United Canada ............ - 4,719 6,455 15,933 Germany Belgium Kingdom France oe: nS Ae ak te yr _ " oe Yanuary 12.101 12.945 18.261 7.721 J other countries...... 2.646 765 (,o18 ‘ebruary . 9,172 9,582 20,186 5: Ini : : one a abe are Pras aoe United States Imports of Cast Iron Pipe by Leading April ..... 18,578 20.575 19/208 12.661 Countries of Origin aay 28,678 18,055 15,320 20,640 (In Gross Tons) June 302,085 29,501 9.909 12,541 1926 1925 1924 July 24,014 17,173 9,653 12,110 (11 Months) (Entire Year) em ao ee tt 7,179 Metal) wc, sussh 71,779 51,215 46.900 t ember 29,37 21,309 83 9.733 Belgium # 8.385 87 22 674 October .... .. 21,574 211217 4951 et ee ere 42444 33°701 November 21,802 24,227 3,790 9,849 2 ST eee 697 1,717 42 A ee —_—_— —_——— United Kingdom........ 38 oat Ba 1,300 Total .... 249,725 212,712 123,710 121,540 All other countries...... 3,795 80 183 , 1 HVUULEUOORENEOUAREAEEHAUAEANAE nA aeca teeta veeeras toa sutennceacegnsegtotageeg csc caenanetéeeonaecnsnnnsneneearyenecectee0tsstu dette anaes etgcetcsenatnouestucseensanevncvaovaraveggenaetacsnesvceetvegavagneggvveonseecsonsucnsncencouoccseeereqercecesneegi cso 206 January 20, 1927 Of American steel exports to South America in the 11 months of 1926 the “A. B. C.” countries, Argentina, Brazil and Chile, took 162,834 tons, against 173,252 tons and 155,381 tons respectively, during the full years 1925 and 1924. Galvanized sheets, steel rails, pipe, barbed wire, plain and galvanized wire, steel bars and tin plate, cut nails, car wheels and axles and plates con- stituted the major items exported to these South American countries. Heavy rails, structural steel and -tubular products were the leading products going to Cuba, while that market is an important one for galvanized sheets and, in a lesser degree, for steel bars, tin plate, barbed wire, ear wheels and axles. Exports to countries other than those named reflect movements of less importance than those specifically pointed out. Nevertheless they make large aggregate tonnages of vital moment to mainte- nance of the export trade for American iron and steel producers. The movement of American material was most marked to so-called neutral markets, but also gained in some markets where ordinarily European countries have held the dominating position. In spite of the gain in American iron and steel ex- ports last year, however, the total is not up to the pre-war level for such years as 1912 and 1913. This indicates the contest ahead at a time when European makers have combined and are exerting every possible effort to increase foreign trade throughout the world, including the United States itself. Expansion in foreign markets made by Germany since 1924 has been particularly notable, and has been coincident with stabilized conditions in that country that grew out of adoption of the Dawes plan. Belgian iron and steel manufacturers also have actively sought and gained foreign markets during the past three years, as stability prevailed in that country. Both countries have shown progressive gains in the export markets, so that they have recovered pre-war markets and in some in- stances have acquired new ones. The fact that the United States industry is not exporting quite so heav- ily as during the pre-war period would indicate that gains made by foreign producers in international trade have been made partially at the expense of the United States. During the latter half of 1926, however, increases made in foreign markets by European manufacturers, as well as those by United States producers, were made partially at the expense of the United Kingdom. The WAIT | United States Imports of Structural Shapes by Main Countries of Origin (In Gross Tons) 1926 1925 1924 (11 Months) (Entire Year) GO be ns: 4d DAD RS 110,645 77,293 43.244 ee. «kde sinters ad 77,256 63,342 22.785 France Bs uleawtteee 7,379 4,552 8,482 SOCIO. 7 5 edie sa Pn i 19,697 3,137 2,084 PESOUIRIIE * os Viv ava om 5,152 4,179 2,463 All other countries...... 1,161 2,083 6,930 United States Imports of Steel Bars, by Chief Coun- tries of Origin (In Gross Tons) 1926 1925 1924 (11 Months) (Entire Year) Total » eke -iralaibeeas 98,256 58,805 39,023 .. -5 debk< bh ewe 53,056 37,255 15,121 WORMOO . 8k cc ethath ee ap aes 12,112 5,992 5,825 ORNS aoc aban se 14,736 110 1,316 Netherlands ...... sh i 5,114 2,948 1,034 IR Ps ae 10,132 7,331 11.579 United Kingdom........ 1,430 1,533 2,311 All other countries...... 1,676 636 1,837 United States Imports of Steel Rails by Principal Countries of Shipment (In Gross Tons) 1926 1925 1924 (11 Months) (Entire Year) CO rs xc b sen 61,794 86,871 43,358 I ee ae ee 25,067 27,287 22,273 RIND: sets doce setioat ae Soraekd 1,418 347 4,140 ON ch esepadacst 22,864 4,281 6,998 Netherlands ........-.. 3,144 1,871 4,979 United Kingdom........ 49 260 794 All other countries...... 9,252 2,825 4,174 SUNSET AMDOAMSAS ENA VANINSOUOATOAAOERENAEADOAL SAA SEA EG ONAN SOON EAN INNA NON ELA SATE AT eT EEA ETT THE IRON AGE 207 British coal strike, starting in May of last year, was a vital blow to the British iron and steel industry. It not only greatly lessened the foreign and home mar- kets for that country, but also resulted in heavy im- ports. By reason of this condition the progress made by other European manufacturers and by United States makers in increasing exports in 1926 cannot be ac- cepted as an index as to future possibilities, because the United Kingdom will be an important factor, pro- vided the industry there has no further labor troubles, and is otherwise stabilized. France also has become an increasingly important factor in foreign markets, and in 1925 was the world’s greatest exporter of steel for the first time in its his- tory. Imports from that country into the United States r 1 | 800 +_! : 5:Chile z }= Japan 7 | 2Phrhppines ©, Brazil 100 +: 3= Ching > Pare : : - Mexico 4= (Colombia 9: Cuba 5004 TEE. 8 30041 ff 2004 f/f Thousands of Gross Tons 1004 1H: 0 9262524 ‘26'25 24 26 2574 26 2524 ‘26 25 4 CANADA — ASIA_—sS. AMERICA CENTRAL AM. EQROPE AND W. INDIES Exports of Iron and Steel Products from the United States to Our Principal Customers. The 1926 figure is for 11 months (solid line) with a dotted line added for December, on assumption that it would about equal November have been relatively light, excepting for such items as pig iron and cast iron pipe. The organization of the European steel cartel last fall embraces all of the important European iron and steel capacity, with the exception of that of the United Kingdom, which, so far, has not become affiliated with the combine. What effect this entente may have on the United States industry, both in foreign and do- mestic markets, remains to be seen. It has been a matter of conflicting speculation. So far, however, the effect has not been perceptible. As a matter of fact, one of the principal purposes of the combine was to protect each of the member countries against the others. The intense drive for foreign markets had resulted in cutting of prices and a generally hazardous competitive condition. Highest Imports in 23 Years American manufacturers of iron and steel have looked askance at practices of manufacturers abroad which, it is contended, have made it possible for them to penetrate the American market as they did during the last three years, particularly in 1926. For the 11 months of that period imports into the United States ; 1 1k is iy 1 ih '; is Imports of Iron and Steel Products Into the United States, from Our Principal Suppliers. The 1926 fig- 200 ure (solid line) is for 11 months, with a dotted-line estimate for the total year — 4 ss Tons 3 100 Thousands of Gro 50 192625 2% “26 2524 °26 2524 26 25 24 26 2524 °26-25'24 26 25 24 GERMANY BELGIUM BRITAIN FRANCE NETHERLANDS CANADA = INDIA aggregated 1,035,531 tons, representing our highest incoming movement in iron and steel since 1903, when imports aggregated 1,719,548 tons. There still remains the final month of 1926 in the import movement of last year to be added to the figure for 11 months. While the great bulk of exports of iron and steel from the United States consists of finished material, the heaviest items of importation consist of raw material, though rapid gains have been made in a number of highly competitive finished steel lines. Imports of iron and steel into the United States during the 11 months of 1926 were 52 per cent of the 1,968,859 tons of exports of that period. Imports in 1925, amounting to 943,085 tons, were 53 per cent of exports for that year, amounting to 1,762,572 tons. Imports in 1924, totaling 556,814 tons, represented 31 per cent of the exports, amounting to 1,807,157 tons. There was a slight percentage decrease of imports during the 11 months of 1926, as measured against ex- ports for that period. When compared with similar earlier movements, however, it will be seen that the tonnages of 1926, both as to imports and exports, were considerably larger than for either 1925 or 1924, the relative growth in imports being especially striking. Pig iron made up 41 per cent of the imports in 1926, 46 per cent in 1925 and 37 per cent in 1924. Germany supplied 33 per cent of the pig iron and 24.1 per cent of all iron and steel imports during the 11 months of 1926. This reflects a sharp gain when compared with 1925 and 1924. It is not unlikely that Germany’s share was larger than reported, for some of her shipments are believed to have come through the Netherlands and to have been credited to the port of last shipment. During 1925 Germany supplied 19 per cent of the pig iron and 11 per cent of all iron and steel imports, while in 1924 only 5.3 per cent of the pig iron and 4 per cent of all iron and steel imports came from Germany. During the 11 months of 1926 Germany supplied 37 per cent of the steel rails imported, while in 1925 and 1924 Germany was the source of rail imports of 11 and 18 per cent, respectively. During the 11 months of 1926 imports of structural shapes from Germany were 17.8 per cent of all such imports, while the tonnages of this material imported in 1925 and 1924, coming from Ger- many, made up 4.3 per cent and 5.9 per cent of the structural material totals. Germany furnished 15 per cent of the steel bar imports during the 11 months of 1926, 5 per cent in 1925 and 3 per cent in 1924. Next to Germany came Belgium as the leading source of imports during the 11 months of 1926. With a total of 212,712 tons for that period, Belgium pro- vided 20.5 per cent of all iron and steel imports, against 17 per cent for each of the years 1925 and 1924. Bel- gium furnished 45 per cent of the imports of steel rails during the 11 months of 1926, against 74 per cent in THE IRON AGE January 20, 1927 1925. Of the structural shapes imported, Belgium supplied 61 per cent during the 11-month period, 82 per cent in 1925 and 52.7 per cent in 1924. Belgium also supplied the bulk of steel bars for the three periods, with 57 per cent during the 11 months of 1926, 63 per cent in 1925 and 38 per cent in 1924. The United Kingdom ranked third as the source of imports during the 11 months of 1926, and was giv- ing every promise of taking second, if not first, posi- tion had it not been for the coal strike. Imports from the United Kingdom during the 11 months of 1926 were 123,710 tons, or 11.9 per cent of the total, as against 16 per cent in 1925 and 22 per cent in 1924. Of the imports from the United Kingdom last year 92,043 tons consisted of pig iron. Taking fourth position as the source of imports into the United States, France furnished 121,540 tons, or 11.7 per cent, against 9.1 per cent in 1925 and 12.6 per cent in 1924. Of the French imports during the 11 months of last year, 28,449 tons was pig iron, but the largest item was cast iron pipe. That country sup- tl DUUATOSUAGEVENDEUONG TUL AAUALSUUAURONONT ATTA aT HOULIUUAENAEEL UDO ET AOA Distribution of Exports of Iron and Steel from the United States (In Gross Tons) 1926 r-——_Calendar Year——_, (11 Months) 13% 925 1924 1923 SRE SE PP" 4,672 9,034 9,536 7,911 CT .; sicind «06. ee 318 116 745 Sine dy ton piece ee 2,596 1,391 613 1,404 PE 155, a6 wena’ 2,124 1,213 1,699 aioe PEE? Sow eviceveaed 8,934 9,047 2,625 7,115 EE ea ee ae 1,044 2,488 1,235 1,498 ED os acai a & ane te 2,474 4,175 1,127 cee Irish Free State...... 807 52 329 anon EE er ee 22,747 41,767 22,513 2,986 Netherlands ......... 3,868 2,735 2,262 4,967 DE Gau Shas ose Oe 4,088 3,472 3,250 4,096 a ee 2,007 728 1,110 469 I i a end & i 2,421 1,995 1,023 ease Soviet Russia........ 2,870 3,562 716 oo SS ee 2,279 6,117 4,299 7,832 NS isi nade ts de Sie 1,321 664 701 2,774 Turkey in Europe.... 3,013 1,827 898 a hobs United Kingdom...... 58,490 52,261 56,577 63,080 Total Europe....... 126,073 142,644 111,258 omnis ia ak ate eh Bi is 781,560 614,662 554,471 760,614 Ce SEO, A ci cu oe 60s 2,440 2,954 4,606 bas ree 9,859 7,600 13,697 6,169 Honduras ; 4,068 5,963 7,653 16,911 BEOEIOD os cvacsccseces 94,164 102,412 108,512 84,583 Newfoundland ....... 919 1,701 1,270 err PISORERMUR cccccccces 6,599 5,779 5,491 nam nn . 4's & 6-5 eae 8,060 14,625 13,544 8,903 re 15,854 15,393 4,522 ate North America..... 923,523 771,089 713,766 oc ER 5 5s che. bn 0 ¢as 286 242 380 (a) NUD: a's an op 0 oe on 1,597 1,530 1,328 (a) Trinidad and Tobago. 5,766 5,746 4,395 (a) Other’ British West COE casidehss ae 1,504 2,321 1,257 11,082 Ce 06s wte tee a eecte 83,984 146,823 165,637 171,900 Dominican Republic. 6,950 10,487 11,129 10,668 Dutch West Indies... 5,895 3,741 3,044 a Haitian Republic..... 2,820 1,943 2,891 6g 108,802 172,833 190,061 a ere 53,655 87,296 55,388 53,744 646 hanee oe 772 1,855 756 Pe Ctagespewh ems 92,855 46,016 68,139 50,53 Tn cow bi dea ea vee 6,324 44,940 31,854 33,893 PL. sesame awine 60,709 77,336 39,333 28,562 SIOURGOT . . 2 00s ; 1,399 2,218 3,850 “4 British Guiana....... 320 571 191 di Dutch Guiana ....... 783 661 48 + de Ra ee ere 34,888 17,895 28,177 27,384 DT i.» ewe b-040.00 7,078 5,434 4,597 9,181 Venezuela ..... 57,806 35,231 24,874 16,177 South America..... $26,589 $19,453 257,207 exes > > ae 35,436 25,750 23,449 24,394 British Malaya ...... 14,020 6,719 3,124 3,209 SY “ole & ache bt Ride 39,385 56,816 57,126 52,327 Java and Madura.... 12,468 8,597 5,704 Other Dutch East DG | Sirbaweaa< 24,852 16,597 21,144 nie Hongkong fia 1,879 3,569 11,086 10,863 6a > we week 6. «es 2,254 ie er aa Japan and Chosen.... 227,556 132,890 277,893 363,954 NEE: «se lsdnwe ie «0% 20,003 1,802 17,204 18,240 ot 5G beieewe.0 xe 1,971 1,197 3,980 Philippines ..4....... 53,605 46,897 49,763 35,049 Asiatic Russia....... 404 190 771 Turkey in Asia.. ; 502 497 432 TOGSE BONS. ccc uwie 434,835 $01,521 471,676 eee DIO, - eink nthe awe 27,064 22,543 23,148 41,144 New Zealand......... 2,865 2,072 3,237 3,682 British South Africa. . 8,898 23,208 31,283 13,264 DE Sesné <00s0k 646 5,588 3,314 1,714 1,088 Portuguese East Africa 2,295 981 938 1,026 All other countries... 2,827 2,913 2,869 oan a ee (b) 1,968,859 1,762,571 1,807,157 1,992,595 (a)Included in “Other British West Indies.” (b)11 months only. NUL 1004 0420400 UNE LLUNNNe neuen asnagnanecenngnenaneesaueren oa aseueca ci ceeenaenegeonatucaeecetascneanenneeeesneeetgnn ace cnaernseeentneaet January 20, 1927 plied 48,864 tons of the total cast iron pipe imports of 71,779 tons during the 11-month period. Imports of cast iron pipe for the 11 months showed an increase of 20,566 tons over the entire year of 1925 and an increase of 24,879 tons over this class of im- ports in 1924, France supplied 42,444 tons in 1925 and 22,701 tons in 1924. Cast iron pipe imports from Bel- gium during the 11 months of 1926 totaled 18,385 tons, while in 1925 and 1924 cast iron pipe imports from Belgium consisted of 6874 tons and 22,674 tons respec- tively. Inroads being made by foreign producers in pene- Exports of Iron and Steel Products from the United States, by Principal Countries of Destination Steel Plate (11 Months) -—————Entire Year ——~ 1926 1925 1924 1923 Tees His as 129,452 104,450 85,543 115,459 co rey 105,509 82,384 67,305 92,381 CA act venan wake 1,239 1,245 1,312 932 Mexico eveabeaeh 1,420 1,560 718 714 Galvanized Steel Sheets (11 Months) -—— Entire Year TTT 1926 1925 1924 1923 en 6 ce eek és 161,473 160,270 a 108,148 114,748 Came. . cisieates 40,782 24,927 17,300 29,785 Philippines ....... 21,300 18,401 13,568 7,825 Se aia ot» wicks 68 9,852 11,671 11,296 12,998 Arwoentee «sc ecive 9,068 35,642 14,460 5,063 See a 8.538 7,524 6,035 6.333 BEE 654.n0s de ee 5,050 3,982 15.340 8,917 Black Steel Sheets (11 Months) -————Entire Year—————_, 1926 1925 1924 1923 NE in. iat 6 156,095 95,431 148,742 139,103 SO. ac ncehenasen ee 38,234 101,606 74,749 Comes aise 500s 60,187 43,613 37,142 49,136 Steel Rails (11 Months) , Entire Year ——- 1926 1925 1924 1923 Wats. . «+ ctwie x 168,315 151,690 208,829 267,409 SODA. 01: 6000s0e5, oe 10,136 95,011 CN .cavuctan es 25,716 20,212 61,445 PE. cc dvcnmeeied 17,447 6,085 4,849 Pe oc ccnt dade’ 16,286. 37,343 45,554 I eaten cy atte ai te 9,338 5,394 3,323 Ce ks bib dee aed 8,718 6,031 5,320 Philippines ....... 5,029 3,807 5,105 eS ere 4,959 2,569 3,249 Barbed Wire (11 Months) ;-————Entire Year—————,, 1926 1925 1924 1923 Tote is ccasy 49,127 71,115 90,443 74,843 eee. ..1ckerewan 6,325 14,112 29,694 11,703 eS 5,946 5,670 7,287 4,409 CO. oe tackowiin 5,280 1,986 4,329 6,303 BEG 44a cetedue 5,245 5,409 3,988 4,003 Philippines ......<. 4,748 1,626 3,905 Se Uae sk ce te eee 2,255 4,406 7,620 9,353 Argentina) ......%8% 2,065 10,038 10,267 8,243 Plain and Galvanized Wire (11 Months) ;-———Entire Year—————\, 1926 1925 1924 1923 Tetale «icici SS 35,596 37,052 92,231 SO; usu ceaws 11,097 13,701 8,301 ree NI ne 5,295 1,712 3,686 3,977 Argentina ....... 2,857 1,255 3,544 12,776 DO ¢osuewnnunEe 1,229 i<es 7,526 9,785 SUGOE:.. «<cacschukee 1,224 730 4,082 23,825 Plain Heavy Structural Material (11 Months) -————FEntire Year ———S 1926 1925 1924 1923 : Otte | ks waledc 146,504 104,339 102,408 122,066 soos tdbate 111,309 73,557 64,455 : ‘ Cuba SKveeneeewa 6,598 18,751 se 913 Ce: soca ban eeu’ 5,879 2,074 3,971 WONOR ocsccabicuns 5,314 992 3,491 Steel Bars (11 Months) -————Entire Year—————, 1926 1925 1924 1923 SOO S cadle ver 126,818 119,948 98,380 158,315 i ss sik ok bic kon 77,610 64,302 47,124 United Kingdom. 23,935 19,471 8,504 SN cc oee aie ate ae 3,306 5,121 12,655 Mexico sok bake ie oe 3,217 3,319 2,719 | “BARR Teo ee 2,712 2,614 1,215 SR avcuncoann’ 2,106 979 2,870 Tin Plate (tl Months) -————Entire Year———_—_—_, 926 1925 1924 1923 TOG .cccawans 219,001 161,383 160,994 124,452 SN «Ne 43,263 35,751 22,513 29,562 gapan + <i aee aaa 41,616 38,794 53,984 35,808 IN: sa ae aati 19,414 19,388 24,680 12,877 British India...... 14,341 Paya 2 10,010 6,465 Argentina ....... 14,056 6,656 8,888 7,291 italy eke ke ake 9,943 7,527 4,114 2,267 ra a cae hehe hale 8,528 5,276 3,918 2,341 ame nin'é wrtitaumoet obits 5,801 6,720 3,278 2,458 a vse neuersal es 2,221 4,802 5,887 4,954 Ouse !TOCUOSAESSUDeNOEREQOOOOUS OG AGAGG ceca eneeuenesOsac uaa cacveneracsagesaegcecanevanereenanoeracangnesgneszennereevareceenen THE IRON Thousands of Gross Tons m oOo AGE 400 Imports of Iron and Steel Products Into the United States, by Principal Ar- r7 ticles. The 1926 figure 7 (solid line) is for 11 months, with dotted-line estimate for the year. At right is shown “finished materials”—a summation of steel shapes, bars, rails, plates, _ sheets, hoops, bands and wrought pipe 3 o 3 OMe a SM EM EM 16 SM SU OE 2 PIG IRON CASTIRON SHAPES BARS RAILS © SCRAP FINISHED PIPE MATERIALS trating the American market for both raw materials and finished lines have brought about apprehension, with the result of relief being sought through tariff provisions. There is now pending a report expected to be made soon by the Tariff Commission concerning the pig iron import situation. This subject was brought up some time ago when Eastern merchant blast furnace interests made appli- cation to the commission under the flexible provision of the Fordney-McCumber act for a 50 per cent in- crease over the present duty of 75c. per ton on pig iron. The report of investigators of the commission showed that pig iron was produced in India at a cost of $7 or more under the American cost. At the time the application was filed India was the principal source of imports of pig iron. In view of the lower costs abroad, merchant iron interests of this country con- tended that a 50 per cent increase, amounting to an additional 37.5c. per ton, would be of small benefit, if any. An effort also has been made, through the Cus- toms Division of the Treasury Department, for appli- cation of the anti-dumping section of the emergency act as to imports of pig iron from India. The anti- dumping unit of the customs division, after making an inquiry, held that no proof of dumping from India could be found. There were two primary difficulties, one being that there is not a wholesale home market in India and the other that shipments of pig iron from India to countries other than the United States were not comparable to exports to this country from India. Early in 1926 the customs division, acting upon com- plaint by merchant pig iron producers, issued a coun- tervailing order applying to imports of pig iron from the Tata Iron & Steel Co. This was based on the charge that the Indian Government was indirectly sub- sidizing these imports by reason of bounties it paid on the production of steel ingots in that country. The customs division, however, did not fix the amount of the countervailing penalty. It was left for further in- vestigation. The division did, however, subject im- ports of pig iron from the Tata Iron & Steel Co. to such a penalty immediately and temporarily held up liquidation of entries. Subsequently, however, the cus- toms division issued an order suspending the counter- vailing order and permitting liquidation of entries without the imposition of any countervailing duty. The division still is studying the question, with a view to determining the amount of the penalty. German Steel Bounties Attacked The greatest stir in the import situation last year came when prominent American iron and steel pro- ducers complained to the Treasury Department that the Raw Material Steel Syndicate of Germany was paying bounties on steel produced in that country and exported to markets of the world. The upshot was the Fog Soc or i oe ee Saas a 210 THE IRON appointment of a mixed commission, consisting of two representatives each of the American and the German Governments. One American representative was se- lected by the State Department and the other by the Treasury Department. Despite the fact that this commission was not sup- posed to reach any conclusions, but instead was to con- fine itself to facts, it reported that no bounties were paid on pig iron and rolling mill steel products ex- ported from Germany. The Treasury Department re- sented the character of the report and complaint was made from iron and steel sources that, as a matter of fact, the negotiations were dominated by the State De- partment and handled as a diplomatic matter rather than one of trade and economics, and an alleged viola- tion of the American tariff act. The Treasury Depart- ment took occasion to issue a statement saying that the report of the commission was not conclusive, and that it was for the Treasury Department itself to take final action. It has not, as yet, passed upon the report. American manufacturers apparently were not COPPER IN 1926 Domestic Consumption and Imports Make New Record—Large Decrease in Exports Outstanding features of the copper industry in 1926 were record-breaking imports and domestic con- sumption, states the United States Bureau of Mines. European countries did not make the demands on the market that it was anticipated they would, and, in- stead of increasing, exports to Europe decreased large- ly in 1926. Exports to France, however, showed a no- table increase. Both smelter and refinery production showed small increases over previous peace-time rec- ords and, while stocks of refined copper increased, stocks of blister copper decreased sufficiently so that there was little change in total stocks. The smelter production of copper from domestic ores in 1926 as determined by the bureau from reports of the smelters showing actual production for 11 months and estimated production for December, was 1,742,000,000 lb., compared with 1,675,000,000 Ib. in 1925. The 1926 production is the largest peace-time output, being approximately 4 per cent higher than that of 1925, which was heretofore the highest recorded with the exception of the war years, 1916, 1917 and 1918. The estimated smelter production from domestic ores for December, as reported by the smelters, was 157,000,000 lb., 13,006,000 lb. higher than the average for the 11 months preceding. The estimated production for De- cember, 1925, was 137,000,006 lb., which was below the monthly average for that year. The production of new refined copper from domestic sources, determined similarly, was about 1,738,000,000 lb., compared with 1,683,000,000 Ib. in 1925. In 1926 the production of new refined copper from domestic and foreign sources amounted to about 2,346,000,000 Ib., compared with 2,205,000,000 Ib. in 1925, an increase of 141,000,000 Ib. or 6 per cent. The production of secon- dary copper by primary refineries increased from 198,- 000,000 lb. to about 207,000,000 lb. in 1926, or 9,000,000 lb.,