ECONOMICS 301 



in thr I'M. The output of pig iron approximates 10,000,000 

 metric tons, and of steel 0,000,000 tons. 



Tin- I'nited States produces nearly one-half of both the pig 

 in ni and steel of the world. The three great nations, the United 

 States. ( In-many, and the United Kingdom produce approxi- 

 mately four-fifths of the world's supply of these two most 

 important commodities. 



ALUMINUM 



The increase in the magnitude of the aluminum industry in 

 the United States is reflected by the fact that in 1883 the produc- 

 tion was only 83 Ib. and in 1911 it was 46,125,000 Ib. In 1912 

 there was no substantial increase in the production of the 

 metal nor any substantial change in the general manufacturing 

 conditions. The Aluminum Company of America is at present 

 the chief manufacturer of the metal in the United States. 



There were no radically new uses for the metal developed 

 during the year. There was marketed a new electrical conductor 

 composed of seven wires. The center wire was steel of high 

 tensile strength. This type of cable supplies a conductor that is 

 both light and strong for long distance transmission work. 



A minor new use for the metal lies in the manufacture of 

 aluminum foil which is displacing tin foil as a wrapper for candy 

 and tobacco. 



CHROME IRON ORE 



According to W. C. Phalen the production of chrome iron ore 

 in 1911 was only 120 long tons valued at $1629. This, however, 

 represents the amount actually sold. It is a reduction of almost 

 50 per cent, in both tonnage and value from that of 1910. 



The chrome iron industry has been fluctuating and is declin- 

 ing. Prices have had a downward trend. This fact seems a little 

 strange in the light of the quotations for tungsten and vanadium 

 ores as ingredients in special steel alloys, one of the most impor- 

 tant uses of a chromium. One reason for the decline lies in the 

 wide distribution of chromite and the pockety character of known 

 deposits free from impurities. 



The chrome iron ore of recent years has been produced mainly 

 in New Caledonia, Asia Minor, Greece, Canada, India, Rhodesia, 



