or THE OT^^Z) BAR IRON MANUFACTURERS SHOWING THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF PIG AND WROUGHT \ IRON THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, f '1 i.O THOMAS DUNLAP, Secretary. FIRLISHED BY ORDER OF THE ASSOCIATION. I\ PHILADELPHIA : J. A. WAC4ENSELLER, PRINTER, 28 NORTH SIXTH STREET 1872. i V^-~_^;^*^ijC3 ji^IR^T QUARTEFJLY I^EPOF(T OF THE u SHOWING THE rRODucTiON^ AND consumptio:n^ of pig and wrought IRON THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON OF THE WAGES PAID LABOR IN THE IRON INDUSTRY IN THE HUxiUA ^tatei^ mA (Bn^hmi AND THE CONDITION OF LABOB THBOUQHOITT THE WOBLD; INCLUDING Tables of Prices of Iron for the Year 1871, in tlie Princii)al Cities of the United States. READ BEFORE THE national Assodation of Bar Iron MamMfactnreFS, Philadelphia, January lOth, 1872. THOMAS DUNLAP, Secretary. PUBLISHED BT UBDER UF THE ASSUCIATION. PHILADELPHIA : J. A. WAGENSELLER, PRINTER, 23 NORTH SIXTH STREET. 1872. ^" PREFA CE. Mit 0f tire |[ati0nal Jlssociation 0f §ar gton panufaclurtrs, ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF Obtaining full Statistics of the Iron Trade throughout the World, and effecting frequent Interchange of Ideas, improving the Manufacture of Iron in the United States, and securing Harmonious Action in all matters pertaining to the Iron Interests. Officers of the Association. Managers. .lAS. I. Bennett, President, Pittsburgh, Pa. James Westerman, Sharon, Pa. Nathan Rowland, 1st Vice-President, Pliilada. Wm. Mulligan, Saugerties, N. Y. Jas. E. Walker, 2d Vice-President, Troy, N. Y. O. Williams, Catasauqua. Pa. Wm. E. S. Baker, Treasurer, Pliiladelpliia, Pa. Ohas. S. Lynch, Boston, Mass. Thos. Dunlap, Secretai-y, Philadelptiia, Pa. C. B. Herron, Pittsburgh!, Pa. No. 311 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. THE following review of the Production and Consumption of Eaw and Manufactured Iron throughout the World, the Comparative Condition and Wages of Labor, &c. &c., was not originally prepared with a view to publication, and is necessarily imperfect in many particulars. The Report was read before the National Association of Bar Iron Manufacturers, at the First Quarterly Meeting of that body, held at Philadelphia, January 10th and 11th, 1872, and was pre- pared by the Secretary from such statistics as he could collate during the first three months of his official duty, before any reg- ular system of returns could be organized, and without any reli- able data upon which to base previous production. The figures given are in the main believed to be correct, and consist rather of a grouping of fragmentary reports hitherto published in vari- ous localities, than in any general compendium. The statistics of the progress made in the Iron Industry in the Northwest, are reliable, as collated from a personal canvass by a gentleman of 4 PREFACf]. thSt region, who has devoted much time to examining the indus- tries of the country. The attention of all interested in the condition and prosperity of American Workingmen is invited to the comparison of wages paid in the same branch of labor here and in England, as show- ing the immensely improved condition of the iron-worker in the United States over that of his fellow-workman abroad. That no diminution of the present prosperous state of American labor may occur through improper or unjust legislation, should be the wish of every American citizen. The Association has seen fit to order the publication and cir- culation of this Report; if it shall in any Way aid in demonstra- ting the justice and necessity of a wise Protection to Home In- dustry, by showing what has been accomplished under such a systeria, the object of the writer will have been accomplished. In the effort, he feels satisfied that a duty to one branch at least of American industry has been performed. THOMAS DUNLAP, Secretary. Philadelphia, January, 1872. The following Resolutions were unanimously adopted at the meeting of the Association, and directed to be printed: We, the Bar Iron Manufacturers of the United States, in Con- vention assembled at Philadelphia, representing with kindred interests over a million workmen, the value of whoso products in 1871 amounted to $900,000,000, do resolve— First. That in the adjustment of national revenue, the wages of labor and the interests of capital should be taken into account, and no changes be made to their injury. Second. That the enormous increase of our iron manufactures within the last decade, and the collateral benefit to the industry PREFACE. 5 of the whole country, can be traced to the protection given to the iron interests during that period. Third. That the present prosperity of labor in the United States, enabling the working man to occupy a higher position in social life, with privileges and comforts unknown to the work- men of any other country, is attributable to the liberal wage's paid for labor under a protective policy. Fourth. That these wages are dependent upon the price of the manufactured article, and a reduction in the tariif means a re- duction in the wages paid American labor. Fifth. That the present duties upon iron are not giving to labor and capital more than a fair return for the work performed and the risks involved, and any reduction in the tariff would eventually close our mills and furnaces, leave without means of support our w^orkmen, prove disastrous to the farmers and shop keepers, and cripple all other industrial pursuits. Sixth. That further, as American citizens, w^e protest against the adoption of any policy which shall retard the development of our country, and place us in a condition of dependence upon foreign nations for our manufactures. SECRETARY'S REPORT. PKODUCTION OF PIG IRON. The production of pig iron in the United States for the year 1871 has been returned at 1,850,000 tons, or 250,000 tons less than it would have been but for the coal strike of that year in Pennsylvania, during which 30 stacks were out of blast. This amount is considered in some quarters to be too small, but is probably nearer correct than a larger estimate. The approximate value of the pig iron made in 1871 was $75,000,000, in earning which we find 79,500 hands employed in preparing ore and fuel, and directly in labor at the furnace. The following is the distri- bution of production, as considered from the various sections in which the furnaces are grouped by reason of proximity of ores or fuel. This estimate is taken from the review of the iron trade for 1871, published in the Philadelphia North American^ and is approximately correct, although it is stated the production of raw coal and coke iron was from 50,000 to 75,000 tons greater, and that the amount given as the Southern charcoal product — 15,000 tons — is below the actual product. The following is the estimated production for 1871 : Anthracite Pig Iron. Tons 2000 lbs. Lebigli Region 275,000- Schuylkill Region 142,000 Upper Siisquehanna ~ 118,000 Lower Susquehanna 118,000 East Group (E. & N. of Pa) 210,000 Raw Coal and Coke Pig Iron Charcoal Pig Iron. New England 35,000 " N. Y., K J., Pa. andMd 137,000 Western States 200,000 Southern States.. 15,000 Est'd prd't in 1S71. Tons 2000 lbs. 863,000 600,000 387,000 J Total Pig Iron, tons of 2000 lbs. 1,850,000 National Association of Bar Iron Manufacturers. 7 PENNSYLVANIA. The Leblgli Kegion of Pennsylvania has a capacity of 378,000 tons, divided among 33 furnaces, as follows : Farnacei. Toai4. Parryville, the Carbon Iron Co 3 28,000 Coplay, Lehigh Valley Iron Co 3 28,000 Hokendauqua, Thomas Iron Co 4 53,000 Lockridge, Thomas Iron Co 2 21,000 Catasauqua, Lehigh Crane Co 6 65,000 Allentown, Allentown Iron Co 4 30,000 " Allentown Rolling Mill Co 2 18,000 " Lehigh Iron Co 1 9,000 Bethlehem, Bethlehem Iron Co 3 30,000 Hellertown, Saucon Iron Co 2 18,000 " North Penn. Iron Co 1 10,000 Coleraine, Coleraine Iron Co 1 10 000 Uhlen, near Easton 1 9 000 Glendon, Glendon Iron Co 5 50 000 38 378,000 The following furnaces are building and are nearly ready: Emaus one, capacity 1 9 000 Coleraine, one 1 9 000 Allentown Iron "Works 1 9 000 The ores principally used are about 70 per cent. Hematite, from Lehigh, Berks and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, and 30 per cent, magnetic, from the mines of New Jersey, and South Mountain, Pa. Coal is used from the Lehigh anthracite mines and from the Wyoming and Schuylkill regions. The limestone is from the immediate vicinity of the furnaces. The Schuylkill region has a capacity of 160,300 tons with all the furnaces in blast, several having been idle during the year. The following gives the location and capacity : Locatioa. Capacity. Tons. Pottsville, Pioneer Furnaces .' 14 OOO St. Clair Furnaces 4 goO Leesport Furnaces, (out of blast) 10 000 Reading, Bushong Furnaces .' 11,000 Henry Clay " 12,'ooo " Reading " 7^000 Monocacy Furnaces 4 700 Phcenixville Furnaces ig 700 Port Kennedy, Montgomery Furnace 7,500 8 First Quarterly Report of the Conshohocken, Merwin Furnace 7,500 Plymouth " 18,000 Norristown, Hooven Furnace (out of blast) 11,000 " Lucinda " 4,600 Spring Mill, \Vm. Penn " 16,000 Swedeland, Swedes Furnace 13,500 160,300 The estimated product of the other regions of Pennsylvania is as follows: — Pittsburgh and immediate vicinity. — Built and in operation, 7 stacks, with a capacity of 70,000 tons, thus — Tons. Jones & Laughlin, 2 stacks 20,000 Clinton Furnace, Graff, Bennett & Co., 1 stack 10,000 Superior Furnace, 2 stacks 20,000 Shoenberger Furnace, 2 stacks 20,000 70,000 In course of erection as follows : Isabella Furnace, 2 stacks. 1 stack, 18 feet bosh, and 75 feet high. 1 " 20 " 75 " 1 " 20 " 75 1 " 18 " 75 The estimated product of the above will be 90,000 tons, or, with the existing furnaces, a total of 160,000 tons of pig iron for Pittsburgh, in 1872. SHENANGO VALLEY. The production of the Shenango Valley is distributed as follows : Location. Stacks. Capacity. Tonp. Erie 1 10,000 Sharpsville . 5 45,000 Sharon 5 45,000 Wheatland 4 28,C00 Middlesex 3 21,000 New Castle....! 4 35,000 Wampum 1 8,000 Total 23 192,000 There are also in course of construction the following furnaces : Sharpsville, 1,12,000 tons capacity ; Sharon, 1, 12,000 tons; New Castle, 1, 23,000 tons. The remaining production is distributed throughout the regions of Harrisburg and Juniata, Lower Sus- quehanna, Danville and Johnstown. National Association of Bar Iron Manufacturers. 9 OHIO. The prominent iron producing region of Ohio is the Mahoning Valley, in which the production is thus distributed : Location. Stacks. Capncily. Tons Warren , 1 10,000 Niles 4 30,000 Girard 1 10,000 Brier Hill 4 40,000 Yoimgstown 5 50,000 Hubbard 2 20,000 Powers Station 2 20,000 Struthers 1 16,000 Lowellville 1 7,000 21 203,000 These furnaces run on Lake Superior ores and the block coal of the region, which is especially adapted to the production of iron. At Cleveland there are also two furnaces with a capacity of 17,000 tons ; and at Zanesville. In the Hanging Rock region of South-eastern Ohio and North- eastern Kentucky, is an ore belt of twelve miles in width and fifty in length, north of the Ohio river and thirty miles below it. This belt of ore runs northward into Northern Ohio and south into Tennessee, where it is known as the Chattanooga Iron District. In the portion of this region belonging to Ohio and immediately surrounding the city of Ironton, there are fourteen blast furnaces, all but one of which are cold or hot blast charcoal furnaces, and produce a quality of iron which is justly celebrated for its supe- riority in the manufacture of car wheels. The ores of this region as yet mined are surface deposits, although immense supplies yet entrenched exist to a considerable depth. There is also abundant coal suitable for Rolling Mill purposes, but unfitted for smelting iron from the sulphur existing in it. At Jackson, Ohio, and Coalton, near Ashland, Kentucky, are large deposits of coal remarkably free from sulphur, and which are used for smelting at these points. Still the main production of the entire region is Charcoal Iron, and from the reputation of the iron it is likely the use of this fuel will be maintained as long as possible. The following table gives the Furnaces in the Ironton region of Ohio with their production : 10 First Quarterly Report of the Monitor Ohio Pine Grove.. Hecla Lawrence.... Vesuvius Center Grant Olive Buckhorn ... Howard Mt. Vernon.. Etna Belfont Cold blast.. Hot " . " " Cold " '. Warm " . Hot " . Fuel. Yearly ^Produc- shipping from Charcoal , Stone coal. 2,500 3,000 3,000 3,500 2,500 2,500 3,000 2,500 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,500 3,000 7,500 tons. Petersburg. Hanging Rock. Iron ton. Giving a total production of 44,500 tons of iron in this region. KENTUCKY. The following gives the name and location of the Kentucky furnaces of this region, together with their production : Ashland Star Mt. Savage Buena Vista Bellefonte Buffalo...... Hunnewen i " Pennsylvania ■ " Laurel " Raccoon ICold Boone iHot Hot blast. Fuel, Stone coal. Charcoal .. Yearly Produc- tion. 12,000 tons 3,500 3,000 3,500 3,000 2,000 2,500 2,500 2,000 2,000 2,000 Shipping from Ashland. Landing. Giving a total of 38,000 tons, of which 12,000 tons are Stone Coal and the rest Charcoal Iron. The most important of these furnaces in point of production is the Ashland Furnace, which was built in 1869, and at the time of its erection was said to have the largest stack west of the Alle- ghany mountains, being capable of producing forty tons daily, or about one thousand tons per month. This furnace uses stone coal from the vein at Coaltou, and some 75 tons of ore daily — two-thirds Missouri and the remainder Native ore from the imme- diate vicinity. The product is principally Mill Iron, consumed by Ohio and Indiana Eolling Mills. Several new furnaces are projected in this region. National Association of Bar Iron Manufacturers. 11 MICHIGAN. The Lake Superior region of Michigan produced in 1870, 985,521 tons of ore, valued at $4,222,300, and in 1871 nearly 1,250,000 tons. This ore sold during 1871 at Cleveland at an average of $8 per ton ; but is quoted at $8.50 to $9 for 1872, demand having greatly increased. Trade in this ore employs over 200 vessels. There are 15 stacks in Lake Superior region, with a product of 50,000 tons, valued at $2,000,000. This region contributed since 1856 to 1870, 4,023,919 tons of ore and pig iron, valued at $29,- 069,883. It is particularly noticeable that the increase of 1871 over 1861, the beginning and end of a decade, is 1,196,600, or $7,080,499, showing the development of this one industry under a period of moderately protective tariff. The following is the total production of iron ore and charcoal pig (gross tons) for the year 1871, in the county of Marquette, for which we are indebted to the Marquette Journal. The yield of ore and charcoal iron is in excess of the year previous, and exhibits a magnificent return from a region that is yet in the early morning of its development : GROSS TONS IRON ORE. Jackson Iron Co 132,297 Cleveland Iron Mining Co 142,658 Lake Superior Iron Co 158,047 fBarnumMine 45,939 Iron Cliff Co. -{Foster Mine 13,203 [Red Ore Mine 329 Washington Iron Co 48,725 Champion Iron Co 67,588 Pittsburgh & L. ) Edwards Mine 26,437 A. Iron Co. ) Lake Angeline Mine 33,645 New York Mine 76,381 New England Iron Co 33,359 McCumber Mine ... 15,942 Grand Central Mine 2,921 Winthrop Iron Co 7,319 Negaunee Mine 4,787 Cascade " 3,719 Harlow " 83 Total 813,379 12 First Quarterly Report of the TONS PIG IRON. Furnaces. Total. Morgan 4,793 Champion 5,09* Michigan 4,460 Greenwood 4,450 Pioneer 8,193 Deer Lake 2,309 Bancroft 3,850 Collins 4,174 Bay 3,597 Fajette 8,696 M. & P. Rolling Mill Co 1,610 Total Pig Iron 51,225 Total tons ore and pig iron 864,604 At the close of navigation there were on hand at the different- mines from 50,000 to 100,000 tons of ore, which ought properly to be added to the shipments in order to show the actual product for the year. Outside of the Lake Superior region there are in Michigan two furnaces at AVyandotte, capacity 8000 tons, and one or two others not noted. WISCONSIN. The growth of the production of pig iron in the Northwest is remarkable, and in no State more than Wisconsin, which now contains ten furnaces in blast and three new ones projected or building. These are located and yield as follows : Capacity. Tons. Ironton, 1 stack 2,500 Iron Ridge, 1 stack 2,700 Maryville, 1 stack 3,300 This group uses Winconsin ores with charcoal fuel: Green Bay, 1 stack 6,000 De Pere, Fox River, 1 stack 5,400 " First National, 1 stack 6,000 Appleton, 1 stack.... 6,000 Fond du Lac, 1 stack 6,000 This group uses Lake Superior ores with Charcoal : Milwaukee, 2 stacks 30,000 Total number of stacks, 10 Total product 67,900 The two furnaces at Milwaukee use bituminous and anthracite coals and coke. The average consumption of coal at a charcoal furnace of 6,000 tons capacity is 700,000 bushels, equivalent to 21,000 cords of wood, the average yield being 20 cords to the National Association of Bar Iron Manufacturers. 13 acre. This coal averages 8 cents per bushel, and is consumed at the rate of 100 bushels to the ton of iron. MISSOURI. The production of Missouri is represented by a total of 15 fur- naces, eight of which use charcoal, and seven stone coal fuel. Of the charcoal furnaces three are driven by cold and five by hot blast. The following gives the location, capacity and date of establishment of each : Location. Capacity. Date. Pilot Knob 2 10,000 1849 Iron. Mountain 2 13,500 1845 Irondale 1 6,000 1860 Scotia 1 6,000 1870 Maramec 1 5,000 Mozelle 1 5,000 8 44,500 tons. Stone coal, all erected within a few years. Lewis Iron Co 2 25,000 South St. Louis Iron Co 2 25,000 Kingsland 2 25,000 Carondelet , 1 10,000 85,000 Total productive capacity of pig iron in Missouri, 129,500 tons. Price of labor at these furnaces is $1,40 to $1.75 per day. ILLINOIS. There are at Chicago two furnaces, with a capacity of 35,000 per annum ; and at Springfield and East St. Louis new furna- ces projected. The coal used at Chicago comes mainly from Erie and Pittsburgh, Pa. INDIANA. The production in Indiana is represented by seven blast fur- naces, running on Lake Superior and Iron Mountain ores and the block coal of the locality. The product is said to be superior for Bessemer purposes. Various new works are projected or building throughout Indiana, which bids fair to become a leading- manufacturing State. From Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, no full data have been, received, nor from the Northern and East- ern furnaces ; hence no report is given of these. The object of the allusion to the Western States being to show the rapid 14 First 'Quarterly Rlp^i of the advance made in the industry in that region under the influence of a protective tariff. CONSUMPTION OF IRON. The consumption of iron has been said to measure the progress of a people in manufactures, in industry, and to some extent in civilization. In the United States, from various causes, the con- sumption of iron must greatly increase, and for notable reasons, particularly during the current year. These are : the immense amount needed to rebuild Chicago and supply the losses by fire in the Northwest; the extension of our railway system, under the impetus lately given to it by the narrow gauge improvement ; the building of iron ships, in which great progress is being made ; and the demand for metal for the numerous new inventions in labor-saving machinery. A fair estimate will put the actual requirements of consump- tion for the year 1872 at 20 per cent, over that of 1871. No reliable data of consumption of iron in the world are fur- nished later than 1867, when it was placed at 9,500,000 tons which, with a population of one thousand millions, would average 21 pounds per capita. In England, the consumption in 1867 was given at 189 pounds per head : in France, 69| pounds ; and in the United States, in 1870, 115 pounds. The total consumption of iron in the United States, for 1870 was about 2,000,000 tons, of which one-half went into railroads. As we are building railroads at the rate of 7000 miles per annum, into which one-half our product and importation goes, the consumption per capita is reduced to about 58 pounds — being in striking contrast with that of England and France, the former of which is the only nation exporting to any great extent. The abundance of coal and ores in this country points to the cer- tainty of our supplying the markets of this hemisphere at least, probably within the next fifty years. FOREIGN PRODUCTION. The absence of full statistics for 1871 as yet, from England and the Continent, prevents a full review of production abroad. The product of pig iron in England for the year under review- will not be less, however, than 6,000,000 tons. At the close of the first six months of the year 1871 there were in Great Britain National Association of Bar Iron Manufacturers. 15 920 blast furnaces, of which 691 were under burden. Of these 915 were stone coal furnaces and 5 charcoal furnaces; 688 of the former and 8 of the latter being in blast. The increase in demand and advance in price since July has doubtless put most of the furnaces, at that time idle, again under burden. The following gives the localities among which these furnaces are distributed : Total. No. in DISTRICT. No. Blast. Cleveland 86 84 Northeast of England 44 38 Northwest of England 65 59 South Staffordshire 165 103 North Staffordshire 40 36 Shropshire 29 23 Yorkshire, West Riding 41 27 Derbyshire 43 35 Northampton and Lincoln 26 17 Gloucester, Wilts, etc 18 12 North Wales 10 5 South Wales and Monmouth..... 188 120 Scotland 160 130 915 688 Charcoal furnaces 5 3 Total No. Stacks 920 Total in blast 691 In view of the activity in demand, the production will be, it is likely, largely increased in 1872. New furnaces are being erected, and new deposits of iron stone are sought in every possi- ble locality. The following very interesting review of the Iron Trade of Scotland is from a leading firm of Glasgow, and is worthy of attention : The incidents and movements in the Scotch pig iron trade, during the last twelve months, have been of such a surprising, and, at the same time, of such a satisfactory nature, that we have more than ordinary pleasure in submitting our annual statistics for 3'our perusal. For some time, Scotland has remained to a great extent in a waiting attitude, as the enterprising expansion of production in the North of England caused makers here not only to pause in their extensions, but even to curtail their out put, and consumers everywhere to use as large a proportion of Middlesbrough brands as was consistent with the quality cf their manufactures. The effect of this was^ however, that there were always additions to the heavy 16 First Quarterly Report of the stocks here at the end of each of the last few years; but by degrees it was discovered that mixtures of the pig iron of the two districts gave better results, and as trade was reviving quietly at the close of 1870, the sterling character of our local brands, added to the fact that no matter how many furnaces were built in Yorkshire, the available stocks there were always at a minimum, imparted a great reaction in feeling, and completely upset the theory held so per- sistently by a large section of the trade, and also by outside ob- servers — that the competitive production must eventually swamp us. Another argument always adduced in conjunction with the foregoing was, the heavy stock of Old Carron in reserve ; but as the brand had been heavily sold at moderate rates, and entered most extensively into consumption at home and abroad — thereby making a rapid drain on this antiquated lot — confidence revived, so that with these apprehensions overcome, ihe world at peace and disposed for free trade, the return of our committee, which we annex, presents a striking contrast to the monotonous tenor of their former reports. The very moderate prices current toward the close of the war, eai'ly in spring, induced large purchases for export, quotations being then so reasonable as to attract orders from all parts, despite the adverse appearance of politics, and the influences referred to in our last circular were soon realized, as the consumers generally have allowed their stocks to run to a low point, pending the course of events. The idea that France and Germany would be paralyzed for a long time after the cessation of their struggle was very soon dissijiated, as it became apparent that what the former had to pay as indemnity was gain to the latter, and that the money market would not be much disturbed. The rapidity with which commerce has resumed its wonted channels in both instances is astonishing, and would have argued well for the future but for the rancor still existing, and which may at any moment override all efforts at international arbitration. The year began steadily, and ends with the trade in the healthy state of demand far outstripping supply, and with such a volume of business transacted as will always make it memorable to all persons and trades interested in this influential branch of our national industry. Production. — Although there are 154 furnaces available in Scot- land, the peculiar combination of determined attempts on the part of the colliers and miners to reduce their hours of labor, and, conse- quently, the out-put of minerals, and an evident scarcity of Black- band ironstone in the country, have prevented our ironmasters from increasing their make — as the average number of furnaces in National Association of Bar Iron Manufacturers. 17 blast this year lias only been 127, against 130 in 1870. The demand for coal has exceeded all precedent, so that in several instances it was remunerative for those of our ironmasters who are also coal- masters to realize their coals rather than put on more furnaces. There has been a great amount of attention bestowed on the adap- tation of patents for economizing fuel and cheapening costs gene- rall}^, but the self coking system, as invented by Mr. AVm. Ferrie, of the Monkland AVorks, and pcrseveringly applied there, ia the only method which has as 3'et proved successful in the main points. There is likely lo be a development of this improvement, as well as an aj)plication of some other original ideas in process of maturing, or partly experimented on. It is now, however, quite plain that, even if the cost of production is sensibly reduced and a much larger quantit}'' per furnace attained, the district has reached almost its maximum out-put, at least so long as no further import- ant discoveries of minerals take place, or the miners work so antagonistically as they are in the habit of doing. The make is 46,000 tons less than in 1870. Consumption. — A change has taken place under this head, as our rolling mills — which lor many a day had woi'ked lethargically upon specifications from hand to mouth, at almost cost prices — have had such an accession of orders, at advancing rates, that the quantity of pig iron melted this year would have exceeded any former period, but for the strike of puddlers, which occurred early in the spring, and which lasted for about six weeks, representing a loss of work to the extent of about 30,000 tons. The malleable iron workers have been most troublesome throughout ; and no sys- tem has yet been discovered whereby the masters and men in Scot- land can be brought into harmony on all points. The sliding scale of wages about to be tested in the North of England may adjust an element which sadly interferes with the execution of heavy orders in brisk periods of trade. Common bars were sold as low as £7 58. per ton, less 5 per cent.; ship plates at £8 2s. 6d, less 5 per cent.; they now stand at £10 and £12 respectively, showing a startling rally in a few months. The railway chair orders have not come up to expectation, and some foundries, especially laid out for this class of work, are quite closed. Light miscellaneous castings, and gas and water pipes, are in excellent demand, so that, as a whole, extra activity prevails. The scarcity of skilled workmen, and the arbi- trary moves of trades' unions, have acted very much against the consumption of the raw material in every branch, and 41,000 tons less have been used this year. 18 First Quarterly Rej^ort of the Exports. — This section also presents most encouraging features, and the extraordinary shipments have been the subject of universal remark, the excess over the preceding three months being no less than 196,147 tons. We are lai-gely indebted to America for a run upon the best brands of No. 1, but Germany and the north of Europe have also taken larger quantities than usual — evidently the results of a resumption of home ti'ade in the various countries, im- mediately consequent on the advent of peace about the Rhine, and other contingent political questions of almost equal gravitj'. The Continent of Europe has taken more No. 2 than hitherto ; this must arise from a new application of that number, or from a scarcity of scrap metal abroad. Grei*many, Holland, and Austria have taken about 34,000 tons more than in 1870 ; Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, 4,200; Eussia, 5,700; Spain and Portugal, 1,465; Italy, 2,500; United States, 54,200; British America, 26,748; but the East Indies, China, Australia, and South America have taken 2,156 tons less, and France has fallen off about 9,257 tons. The shipments coastwise have been unusually heavy — 303,494 tons, against 220,984 tons in 1870, or an increase of 82,510 tons. The deliveries per railway to England have arisen from 35,174 to 54,027, or 18,853 tons in favor of this year. The stocks in Lancashire have remained extremely low, and, at one period, sailing ships could not be found in sufficient quantity to supply the pressing demands from that quarter. Storing for purely speculative ])urposes would certainly have taken place extensively this year, but for the home and shipping demand, which left little iron to spare and kept our makers so bus}^ with legitimate deliveries that any quantity that could have been put in would simply have reduced what the ironmasters held, but could have produced no effect on the market quotations of war- rants. Hence the influx and efflux have not been great ; 1,444 tons having been stored, and 39,324 tons taken out, leaving 372,725 tons on hand, consisting almost entirely of ordinary good merchantable brands, as all special lots of No. 1 have been delivered, either for export or local purposes, leaving first-class makers free to fix their own quotations. As stocks have been reduced to a lower point this year, we are likely to have further withdrawal from store, if trade is sustained in the present lively ratio. The total stocks show a decrease of no less than 175,000 tons — a splendid result, and quite beyond what could have been hoped for, judging from former experience — thus reducing the balance from 665,000 tons to 490,000 tons— say 117,275 in makers' hands, and National Association of Bar Iron Mamifac hirers. 19 372,725 in the public stores — about 10,000 tons less having come in from the North of England than last year. The Carron Company- have made a return, so that the figures are quite correct. The Fluctuations have not been important, as speculation was dormant for a long while ; quotations have, therefore, responded to the advances made by the leading manufacturers of pig and finished iron. Warrants advanced from 51s. 3d., with slight reactions at intervals, and rallied gradually to 73s., clo3iugat72s. 7Jd. per ton for cash terms. Shipbuilding has steadily improved for m^any months past, until every yard in Scotland is full — principally for steamers of increas- ingly large tonnage — 233 iron vessels having been built this year. About 195 are at this date in course of construction, and orders are at full flow at the recent rise in quotations. The carrying trade of Great Britain is enormous and expanding, so that this important outlet for iron must remain busy. The Trade of the country has the two great elements of labor and fuel to contend with, to a degree never known before ; and it is not an easy matter to form a decided opinion as to the future. The men are now earning excellent wages, but as their demands have latterly been conceded so easily, the position is embarrassing — as the higher the pay the less they work. Should a strike of colliers and miners supervene, it would act against production by stopping some furnaces, but, at the same time, it would cause a suspension of consumption in foundries and rolling mills, as coal and coke could not be had; if, again, puddlers, foundry men, or engineers go out, consumption would proportionately cease, and it is impossible to know which may happen first, as changes are so rapid. There must be a culminating point, but it has been fortunate for our country that the great strike which occurred in Pennsylvania this year, and the derangement of the labor market in almost all foreign parts, have been nearly simultaneous, or a diversion of orders from Britain must have ensued. A few more furnaces may be blown in here, and perhaps nine or ten at Middlesbrough, representing an increase of 150,000 to 200,000 tons in the annual make ; but this is not much on the aggregate of about 6,000,000 tons per annum made in all our iron districts. Our heaviest customers abroad are, however, ener- getically increasing their own productions, as the great rise here leaves far more room for competition. America is likely to lower her tariff on pig iron still further ; but there are at present no stocks there, or on the Continent of Europe, so we enter upon a new year with an excellent legitimate trade basis, but replete with uncertain- 20 First Quarterly Report of the ties. The statistics show that we are 220,000 tons better than last year, as stocks increased 45,000 tons in 1870, and decreased 175,000 tons in 1871. The following table gives the latest official returns of the Scotch Iron Trade : Production, Consiiinptioii, Exports and Stocks of Scotch Pi^ Iron. a.5tli l>ECEiUBER, 1870, TO 35tU nECEIWBER, 1871. Published by A ulhority of Committee of Glasgow Association of Iran Merchants and Brokers, 1871. 1870. 1871. Ton, Ton. Increase Decrease Pkoditction. From Kelurns from the Makers 1,160,000 1,206,000 46,000 275,000 190,000 298,000 208,000 In Malleable Works (Quantity of Bar Iron made— 1871, 200,131 ; 1870,199,353) 465,000 506,000 41,000 ExPOUTS. 215,000 Foreign 512,479 303,494 54,027 388,842 230,984 35,174 655,000 Coastwise By Rail to England, about Stocks. 870,000 359,860 12,865 117,275 394,520 16,185 254,295 In Forth and Clyde Canal Co.'s Stores At Makers' Works, from Returns received from tliera 490,000 6.55,000 175,000 1871. 1870. 54s. 4 130 126 160 110,000 Average Price 58s. 1 1 Average Number of Furnaces in Blast 127 Number of Furnaces in Blast on 25th December 126 Number of Furnaces existing and nearly ready 154 Imports of English Iron by Rail and Water Tons. .100,000 Of the English Iron imported, about two-thirds were delivered to Foundries, and one-tliird to Malleable Works. The production of pig iron in 1869 was as follows; In France, 1,380,000 tons; Prussia, 804,052 tons; Belgium, 863,000 tons. Of Sweden, Russia, Austria and Spain, we have no record. Everywhere abroad the demand is rapidly increasing ; stocks are diminished, and prices advanced ; nor will the utmost activity possible during the year supply the demand. The prices current in England for pig iron at the close of De- cember, 1871, are given in the following table: National Association of Bar Iron Mo.mifacturers. 21 Prices of V'l^ Inm in Eiig'Iand at close of December, ls"l, as reported in The Iron an •*■ CO CO CO CO' CO CO ?^ CO CO (§)®(S)(S) 1^ o -r r» en n \ I »-; cc cc CO (©© 1-- to to Tl< CO CO CO CO ^ :o to CO CO CC CO CO ®® CO CO CO I ®®®@ CO »0 -^ ■* CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO 12 ;S'? ®@® ®© »C^ CD *0 (N 00 OD CO I-- »0 Mil M ®©®® ©® o. '-o CO c-i cc o; CO CO CO CO CO CO >. : ° O O 00 cocococo cocoli Icol ito @®®® ®©®® ®®® ®© 1^ 'O CO CO >»f5 00 CI x- ■^ CO (M O O iO CO C-l >0 'C O O CD cocococo COCOCOCO i>- "^ i>*o CO • '"^ >0 (N *^ *^ : Qo 1- 1 ■«• r- .0 ... cc ffi ,-1 • 1 CO 1 CO CO ... § ®®©®® : : : : ®© ©® ©® : ( :^SS5^^ : : : 1- cc • 00 1^ .0 co^ ; » '& : : : • ■.* b f ^ V •° 1 00 5C >0 -1 10 ' to 1 1 to 1 &« QO oa CO • 1: CO CO CO CO »o • CO 1 00 1 fS» CO-* . ^ @© : ®®®®® :®®® ®® ® S' 1 CO (M to cocococo-* .cococo 00 1- CO ■♦■ . ir. 1 * ! •* .0 1 1 ■* 5^ "5 I 0 1 00 Of-I I 1 1 CO CO «0 . M CO CO QC I * -*l . ®©©®® ;©© ® ®® (§)(© (§)© : 1 1 1^ ^ CO i-i 'O . to CO to c^ t^ T • ®®®®® :©®® ^© ©® ©© : 1 1-IOCCOO - -t f^ OOO :o a; i-H • p< COCOCOCO"** "COCOCO to to CO t* • «» Oi 00 ■* ^• 1 1 1 a. to • I I • 1 1 «•) 00 e^ t 1 f 1 |^^ to . 1 . 1 1 be ©®®®@ :© : : ®© ®© ©® : 1 3 CO T CO t^ 'CO . I^ Oi ^ t -« ^co CO iM •<)< ; =^ ; • i^ e5 to CO-l< . • i< _ 1 1 CO 0-. to '. \ '• 1 1 1 1 I OIN t >^ 1 1 CO « to .1 1 1 1 1 . ^T)< . s ©®®®® :® . © ®® : ©@ : i-s to CO (N t- • -t ■ CO t^ • CO CO CO J1 ^ 'CO CO It- to '^ ' CO ■«< ; to to :d ck • I. rp CO CO CO CO -T .CO CO i^t- CO T|< . H ^ : ^ 1 -J" c^ 1 10 I "O • 1 1 1 t~ r-l I 1 CO CO 1 to .CO 1 1 1 to ^ ^ . hi ®®©©@ :® . @© @® ®®ril g to COIN 00 .T CO CO CO CO •* .CO : ^'' ■*■ : '• i^ -r 4 ^• U I Ms is 1 1 1 1 , .,* ®©®®® . :© © ®® ©® ®@ : 1 hi -<; CO CO M CO ■** • CO .CO N?© ©© (§ ) : ©•© : LJ cd COfMO'^O ..COC ^ — ■ to c CK 01 . W s cocococo-* .coc^ 5 CO t^ ^ •** CO CO • ^ ^ ^ 1 c» t^ 1 'O 11 1 «~' 1 J^ '• OiO '• CO 1 oc^ 1 .0 II 1 1- 1 cc CO CO . a ©©©©© ©©(s 5;© ®® 1 ) : ©© : ji CCCCOtOO ,-iMti - ffl c . CO CO . eol^^<^^M^ cocor CO 1^ -* CD l£ 4& Tf g^ i-t Oi t^ 1 to CO ^ • • II c CD a^ '. i CO S IN 1 to CO • II to CO 'J' . ©©©©© ® : : : ©© i )® ®® : C3 00 « to — . . . too 10 cc • cO CO c^M e^ ^ CO • . • 1' (M to CO ■> • < >«' •5 3 : fe H : 3- ita '■% \z£ kt^ ii : :^ : : : : : • ^ C ^ «■' t>,-- c . • . . K • : c X s RICAN Pig Ir Anthracite, No. No. Ore' Wh RCOAL Pig Ir CH Pig Iron. Coltness Gartsherrie ... . Re old) rap Eglinton... rUFACTURE Refined Bar Nails , English (gol Iron for Old Rails (g Wrought Sc Cast ' H S <; H X! < ?5 a o B M o 03 »4 ^ o pi a 03 P4 «> Tj* G^ O O -*« c^ o o: o CO CO CO C :d O O »0 Oi ( •f^ CO o t^ o CO CO CO (M »(T :^ . GO I ! ^ rH X> . _ COIN rH i-l ; CO M (?^ '* CO CO CO CO 'O o 'c^ o c «: o o » o o ®® i)® OS 00 - C« O; O Oi -f cote COCO c o 1 1^ ■* c 1 ») M ■ ®®©®©i)©© 1^ l'-^ 00 o; O 5. ■ ^ ©© ©® CO O (» CO C3 »f^ CO CO CO 'M iM T'J 'O @®®®© O CO --D -t O CO C-> C-1 !M -f 5 5 1 I 2: :: i^ (; ; ; ; ; s©( — »3 2 "! > a J so3h ^ ■ - BiS fef : = :« g^SSi- c : 1 'N O 1 -- O 1 • ®©® « « 2^ CO CO a b ^ O5Q0CO 00 in -i< • a CO CO CO • ©©® • ®©® ; 5^ CO CO , S5 A o .a o d o a t^ o '^ 00 CO CO s?5?si ; ®®© @®© : : CO coco ; ^ (1) "no l^ ir; lO a> CO CO CO ^ a ©©© ©®® : ■M < g,co« 2 tfl >> ^ ©©© ©®© : i-» -f co'M : t» S."" CO M n . CO •-< r^ 'C 'O ^H a CO CO CO '• ®®® ©®® ; ^H i-s P" ^^'?3 : 41 ^ +2 L- >, ^h ©<§)© ©©© ; '^is ■S^ CO m CO : flH P H :3 CO CO CO CO CO CO : '^O a ®©@ ®®® i < O -* Tf 60, «► p^h 4 ^H 3 §u S a £> n 3 ,o n -1- TJ >. 03 o3 3 a 03 o o ;h 03 ^ o Cm : •' O iii >> ■S. O f- it -a era >'. : : Q O ?; o : : « : : ■s d ^ — s o £t" ^==. = : £^ < j^ a ^ u m 1 d o a © ri "•■=> o .5 G •d d « O n o o "C P4 « I II CC CC CC CO I': CC' fc r- ' :^ i^ N o © 1 -T M O O I O I m CO ^5 -* I -1" (g)®®® ®®® to CO ?l o; CD i^ M CO CO CO C a M c c i;^ fct— * o c it ®® ® ^2: o a jO Sffii H s K a c" ^ D V-fa : KKKOm! ^0 !7h ^ v e- j_ I c tc ::^^^ ;se5!, 1 -t"» -f lO t^ t^ o: "S 1 a ©@ ®© @©©® ©©©©©@® a o o •o t: coo< i^^c^;;;^:^ :itg CO -* CO '0 «; ■»> .^ u £■" rfs tc * 5 p. o- 2 & H-1 u 1 1 i 9^ 1 ! 1 1 ;;^ ^'sticti •s (§)® . ®@ ®®®@@®® o • GO t^ :^:^-^ ;s^ 2 '^ CO -* CO «o 'f f ^ « ■a s I I poo 1 1 1 1 ^ lo t- 2. o ^ .^- ^ i^;;jt ^i^i 1 1 -^ to t^ t^ o; >0 1 £ @© ©© ©te) ©©©©©©© ^ lO ;?^^^^^ ::^;2 « ?; ^ CO 'O >C 'J- ^ . :^:i€^ :^:^i S, ®® ©© ®©®©©®® < IN C ^""^■^.^ N^O i^;:??j^^ 1 1 1 1 1 ^ (i)@ ®® ©® ©©©©©©© ^ 5^" l~ ID COCO ^^ CO "Jf CO *^ 1* ^ — < 1 >> 1 1 ::^S?.^-^ 1 1 1 CO CO 1 1 ®® ®® ®® ©©©©©©© 1 ^ -»f o ta • •o n t' a a • rri s O O = -do* CD M OJ H 5 c e o 1-1 p p II aa > > i 3 2"* '. K O H ffi o 5^ 1 513 • c 1 1 ^^^x ^ i?; a ©©@ : ©©©® ®©©©©@®®| s ■* coco : mcoc??- ^^^^^^ i^S o eo^cotoo-^-**.^ u 2S i I 1 1 1 ^.•f- s'^Vfx-CXC' \^ E ©©§ ') '■ ©©©© i-p-ltSlI > ^SSS „- ^'„-' ^' •'.^^gj S5 » • CO -J" CO to O -I" •* ^ c O 00 t^ i III i-^^^^:?;:^^ . ^ ©©(S ■ XMCO ^ C- i js ■ c- -^ :-,-,-, ^ ^ a ■^CO C^ i 1 1 1 y^x^^^^c^^i^ , ©®(S ) i ®@®® ©©©©©©©©! p. CO CO c<- : ^co CO c^ ya::^::^:^^^^^^^ <^ ■»• : CO CO-9'CO'O'Ji-*'*.^ hj C CO t> : III _-.-_-.•' J'.^t^ 3 ©®(S i) : ®®®© ^£^'£iS,^£)(S)(S)| <, : -^co CO ? x^x^^:^^§ « : ^ O CC t^ : III i?:^:^ ;;^°. -*■ 'O t- to 05 lO o -*■ a ©©§ ) : ©®®® ©©®®©@©@i CC t~ C£ • sfjco rH a ■: 55 COTllCOtO-*-!)*.^^ >^!i?*Xi^::^;:i^ s a III '*' '0 t- '0 c: »o CO -^ c ©©§ ; : ®®©© ©©©@©®®@i , >^ CO S ^ : ::^?5«§ K^J^!?^^ i^i\r^'0 H «» : ^ CO ^ CO ta 'O Tf -«< ^• O ccr> '• III ^_~J*^;5^1X:5! S ^ >-. ©©(s -t ■-. 1- I. .. '0 •£■-»> S r-----;--" J'«^S = 55 c.-rr-..-.--t.^^ Hi <; 1 1 ©© R S" —^ ra 1 1 i^ 1^?^ §. e ®@ ,-* lO CO 1 o: lO «■ -Ji \|)®®©®®®® • ;^:;5^ :^-^^^;3 >^ S^" x^ i;;5t^ 'T ce C ©© ©©©©©©©© ^ 1" ;;?5:;5t :i^-^:^;;5^s :i^^ i;^^ 1 1 1 ©©©©©© © c 3s ^ ^^T^ ^ * ■♦ ■c 1 3 o ^ t- S ^ f- bl °a^' z « 3-3 a o >c i. « c ; "3 ci =as s i-i d d 2: Whit Pig I ndry.. e 1 Mott 3" o a!^25C [j3 i» ■°-3 a a a ■^^r RCOAI, P Hot Blast MINOITS No. 1 Fou No. 2 Grey Forg UFACTIH ie fined B Flat Bar. Heavy Ba Bounds a Horse-sho Hoop and Oval, Hal Sheet Iro Nails < X < 5 i o o o n o o u M 13 o o o o o o o o o o o o QO A O ^ 0> : o o o o I o o o o oo o o . o I o I o Oi a. o o: ■ I I I 1- •--: o o o o o o o o o o 2 ' ©© o o o o o o oo o o (§) > o o o o O O O «5 O O O o O o O cc X :d o o ooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooo Or- (iMOO^OOrHOr- 'CO-^i— *'— 'C^t— 'OlOlXt o o o oooooooooooooooo OOOOO'^OOOOOOCOOOOOWt (X cr. o d o a: a: o o; o ^-* cc o o r-* o CO 00 :cj O o o in loo ©©©©©© goooc o (T. O O O — O oo OOOO O « O »?5 o o rH rH (y« r-< O O O '!^ O 'C o o rH o I-' O o; OS ooooooooooooooo ooo o o "^ '^ "t o »c 'f^ '(^ o o o o o »ra 1 »r5 o o OOCOOSQOCOO: CCCCClOr-'rWr--f-o O O ","5 o O O "O r- jXaiccxov cc 1 |r^r^f-joOt— fF-foocoo g. . o^^i-f •5 ■^ ^ M O CO £^ 00000 O .0 5D :0 'O o o 5^ e-1 cc O O O 00 <:o O O O ^ c o o o o o 3- o oj at _ (S -, (^ fs 00000 Z 5 g > s §£ n a '^ f o a) =^ Es O, « - o 5 53 "O o p « ^ « oii == !3 2 '^ a bh =+5 ^ =+* & a J5 ■? ^ 2 -3 ^^ ■S o •3 rt t! o 3 " -^ S-g ? ^' (3 ° ■=^ .- - , * ° *- o .. p. 3 g "S I S a s I •^ ? I 3 * 3 O COMPARATIVE TABLE, Showiug the ditference iu prices of Pig and Manufactured Iron, :is quoted in New Yorli for the first week of 1869, 1870 and 1871. PIG IKON. American, No. 1 Extra . No. 2 " No. 2 Charcoal Gartsherrie Coltness "Glengarnock Eglinton BAR IRON. Refined RAILS. Welsh (gold) America n Old Rails (gold) SCRAP IKON. Wrought Scrap, No. 1 BAR IRON FROM STORK— DIS. 5 i Ketined Iron— % a 2 inches, round and square. 1 « (i inches wide by %ainch tliick 1 a 6 inclies wide bv !4 smd 5-16 thick 21^ round and square 3|4 and 33^ round and square 3^ and 4 round and square. SHEET IRON. Common Singles •' ■" Doubles Common Trebles Russia (gold) 1869. PER TON. $40 00 a 40 CO 37 GO o 30 00 35 00 a 36 00 48 00 a 65 00 42 50 a 43 00 42 00 a 44 00 40 00 a 41 00 41 a 87 50 a 94 00 54 00 a 55 00 76 00 a 78 00 42 50 a 100 00 105 00 110 00 120 00 Per lb. 5}i 5% 7 12 1870. PER TON .$35 00 a 31 00 a 35 00 a 40 00 a 60 00 a 38 00 a 38 00 33 50 a 34 00 32 50 a 33 00 82 50 a 56 00 a 57 00 75 00 a 77 00 36 00 a .35 00 a 95 00 100 Oo 105 00 115 00 JPer lb. 5 a 5M 1871. PER TON. #30 00 a 29 00 a 26 00 a 27 00 40 00 a .55 01) 32 00 a 33 00 75 00 a 77 50 55 50 a 56 50 68 00 a 70 00 39 00 a 40 00 40 00 net. 75 00 80 00 Per lb. 5 a 5*4 The following table shows the price of No. 1 Foundry American Pig in New York on tlie first week of each mouth for the last six years, as quoted by the New York Iron Age,., indicating the course of the market more forcibly than we can give it in any other way. FIRST WEEK IN | 1866 January , 85100 February 51 0!) March 49 00 April 40 00 May 42 00 Julie i 42 00 July 48 00 August , 48 00 September 42 Oj October 48 00 November , 49 00 December , 49 00 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 S4S 00 $38 00 S40 00 $35 00 «30 00 45 00 35 00 40 00 35 00 30 00 46 00 39 00 42 00 34 00 32 00 40 00 37 00 42 00 33 00 34 00 40 00 37 00 41 00 32 00 34 00 41 00 ■37 00 40 00 32 50 34 00 41 00 38 50 41 00 32 00 34 00 43 00 42 00 41 00 33 00 36 00 44 I'O 42 00 40 00 33 00 37 00 44 00 42 00 40 00 32 50 ,38 00 42 00 42 00 39 00 31 00 37 00 40 00 40 00 38 00 31 00 37 00 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 003 318 674 5 4^ >»•«-.