[Iron and Steel Products]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
PRICE SCHEDULE No. 6 .
(REVISED JUNE 20, 1941)
Iron and Steel Products
OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF PRICE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D. C.
Table of Contents
Page
Price Schedule No. 6, Iron and Steel Products-------------------------- 1
1. Definitions:
(a) Person_____________________________________________________ 2
(b) Iron or steel products------------------------------------- 2
(c) Basing point base prices___________________________________ 2
(d) Extras_____________________________________________________ 3
(e) Governing basing point___________________________________ 3
2. Maximum (ceiling) prices on sales of iron or steel products----- 3
3. Records--------------------------------------------------------- 4
4. Existing contracts._______________________________________________ 4
5. Supplements_______________________________________________________ 4
6. Modification_______________________________-____________________ 4
7. Appendix A: Basing points by products (other than Gulf and Pacific ports) --------------------- -------------------------------------- 5
8. Appendix B: Gulf and Pacific port basing points by products---- 9
9. Appendix C: Export base prices of United States Export Company for principal products, F. A. S. principal ports, in effect on April
16, 1941____________________-________________________________ 11
Letter to members of the steel industry; list A------------------------ 13
Press releases:
April 17, 1941: Issuance of Price Schedule No. 6------------------------ 16
June 21, 1941: Revision of Price Schedule No. 6------------------------- 18
August 15, 1941: Questionnaires mailed to members of steel industry. _ 19
Supplement: Establishment of Office of Price Administration------------ 20
(Hi)
PRICE SCHEDULE No. 6 ¹
Iron and Steel Products
Steel is the Nation’s basic durable commodity, even in ordinary times. It is an indispensable raw material of a very large number of important industries. The prices of this key commodity set the tone of prices generally.
In a national defense emergency the significance of steel products and steel prices to the economy is heightened. The production of steel in large quantities is not only basic to our defense, but with the Nation’s business being increasingly diverted from normal pursuits to defense production, is more than ever a bellwether for the entire price structure.
Up to the present time steel prices have been held relatively firm. Unless prompt action is taken, however, steel prices may be raised as a result of rising costs and in particular rising wage costs due to recent wage increases.
This Price Schedule is issued to assure that for the immediate present steel prices will not be raised. The Office of Price Administration will immediately undertake to study the data on prices and costs, including the significance of capacity volume and the differences in the costs of different producers. Estimates and guesses are not enough when the Nation’s welfare may be at stake. An expeditious study, involving relatively little delay and injustice, will permit the garnering of actual experience.
Some inequities or injustices may be involved in this decision. But the iron and steel producers will undoubtedly continue their patriotic cooperation in the interest of price stability. Individual instances of extreme or disproportionate hardship may be presented by application for modification of this Price Schedule. The dominant consideration must be the prevention of undue price rises; to protect the Government, which purchases directly or indirectly a very substantial part of the Nation’s steel production; and to protect the Nation’s price structure which must be guarded vigilantly, particularly at the present time, in order to prevent price spiraling and inflation.
¹6FR2004 No. 76, April 18, 1941. Published as title 32, ch. XI, pt. 1306, secs. 1306.1 to 1306.9, inclusive. Revised: 6FR3061, No. 122, June 24, 1941.
In this Price Schedule the Office of Price Administration is utilizing the basing point, price leadership, and extras systems, presently in effect in the steel industry, including the customary practice of steel producers in gearing their own delivered prices to the base prices announced by recognized price leaders. Such acceptance of these systems, merely as a vehicle for determining prices, should not be regarded as approval thereof, nor should this reservation be regarded as indicating disapproval.
Accordingly, pursuant to and under the authority vested in me by Executive Order No. 8734,² and after consultation with the Price Administration Committee, it is hereby directed that:
1. Definitions?—When used in this Schedule:
(«) The term “person” includes an individual, corporation, asso ciation, partnership, or other business entity.
(&) The term “iron or steel products”⁴ includes all iron or steel in gots, all semifinished iron or steel products, all finished hot-rolled or cold-rolled iron or steel products, and all iron or steel products further finished (by galvanizing, enameling, plating, coating, drawing, extruding, or otherwise) in a manner commonly performed at steel works or rolling mills, and shall include all products listed in the table of Capacity and Production for Sale contained in the Annual Statistical Report of the American Iron and Steel Institute for 1939, pages 42-43: Provided, That the term shall not include pig iron.
(c) The term “basing point base prices” means either:
(1) The prices announced prior to December 31, 1940, or customarily quoted by Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation, American Steel & Wire Co., Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co., National Tube Co., and Columbia Steel Co., as base prices effective during the first quarter of 1941, or in effect on April 16, 1941, and applicable at designated basing points for iron or steel products; or
(2) Those prices, announced or customarily quoted by other persons for such period or on such date as base prices at any basing point listed in .section 7, Appendix A:
Provided, That base prices under (2) above shall not exceed base prices under (1) above except to the extent which prevailed during the third quarter of the year 1940.
Where there are delivered prices applicable at a particular place (including Detroit, eastern Michigan, and the Gulf and Pacific coast basing points listed in section 8, Appendix B), and such prices are less than the basing point base prices at the nearest governing basing point plus transportation charges, such prices for the purpose of this Schedule shall be deemed basing point base prices applicable for delivery at such place: Provided, That this paragraph shall not apply
² See Supplement, n. 20.
»As amended, 6FR3061, No. 122, June 24, 1941.
* See p. 13.
in the case of shipments to, or based upon, Gulf or Pacific coast points if the customary means of transportation are not used.
(d) The term “extras” when used with reference to domestic or export sales means the charges in effect April 16, 1941, prescribing additions or deductions from the base price to make adjustment for variations in the product sold from the product governed by the base price, which variations may be in size or other physical specifications, chemical analysis, processing, or other quality or treatment, or may be in the quantity of the product.
(e) The term “governing basing point” means that established basing point the use of which results in the lowest delivered price at the place of delivery; it may also mean the established basing point at or nearest the place of production or of origin of shipment.
2. Maximum {ceiling) prices on sales of iron or steel products⁵— On and after April 17, 1941, no person who produces iron or steel products shall sell, or deliver, or offer to sell or deliver, any such product, and no purchaser shall buy, or accept delivery, or offer to buy or accept delivery from such person of any such product, at a price exceeding the maximum (ceiling) price: Provided, That with respect to any sale of any such product for future delivery a contract may provide for the payment of an adjusted price not to exceed the maximum (ceiling) price in effect at the time of shipment.
A lower price than the ceiling price may be charged, demanded, offered, or paid. The price limitations set forth in this Price Schedule shall not be evaded by additional charges for prompt or early delivery, or by other direct or indirect methods, nor shall the other terms and conditions of sale be made more onerous to the purchasers than those available or in effect on April 16,1941.
(a) The domestic ceiling price for any iron or steel product for which there are basing point base prices shall be the aggregate of: (1) the basing point base price at the governing basing point; (2) extras; (3) transportation charges from the governing basing point to the place of delivery as customarily computed.
(&) The export ceiling price for any iron or steel product for which there are basing point base prices shall be the aggregate of: (1) the basing point base price at the governing basing point; (2) export extras; (3) export transportation charges from the governing basing point to the place of delivery, as customarily computed: Provided, That the export price at a particular seaboard point may be the aggregate of (1) the export base price of United States Steel Export Company F. A. S. seaboard at such point in effect on April 16, 1941, (whether sales are F. A. S. or F. O. B. mill with freight prepaid to seaboard) ; (2) export extras. In the case of C. I. F. sales adjustments for additional transportation and insurance charges may be made. (Such F. A. S. «prices for principal products at principal ports are listed in sec. 9, Appendix C.)
E As amended 6FR3061, No. 122, June 24. 1941.
For all iron or steel products, such as specialty products, for which there are no basing point base prices and extras or United States Steel Export Company F. A. S. seaboard prices, the ceiling prices shall be the prices and extras which were or would have been charged by the seller on April 16,1941, (upon the basis of the prices, discounts, charges, or extras then listed or quoted by the seller), for such iron or steel products,® exclusive of any premium or charge for advanced delivery or any other inducement offered by the buyer or demanded by the seller to negotiate the sale.
3. Records.¹—(a) Every person who produces iron or steel products shall retain copies of all invoices, dated January 1, 1941, or later, relating to sales of such products, including sales to warehousemen, jobbers, brokers, and all other persons purchasing for resale. Reports on such sales, in such form as may be determined, will be required by supplements issued under this Price Schedule.
(6) Every person who produces and sells iron or steel products shall file a copy of his price announcements, including extra books, stating the prices, charges, and discounts in effect on March 31, 1941, and all changes subsequent to March 31, 1941, and prior to April 17, 1941. Such materials shall be filed with the Office of Price Administration, Washington, D. C., on or before July 10,1941.
4. Existing contracts¹—Nothing herein shall be construed to alter or modify the terms of any contracts entered into prior to the issuance of this Price Schedule as amended: Provided, That any contracts entered into subsequent to April 16, 1941, are in conformity with this Price Schedule as amended.
5. Supplements?—In order to facilitate the application of this Schedule, supplements further stating its scope will be issued from time to time as may be necessary or appropriate.
6. Modification.¹—This Price Schedule is issued upon the basis of presently existing conditions. It is subject to adjustment or revocation if called for by changed conditions. Persons complaining of extreme or disproportionate hardship or inequity in the operation of this Schedule may apply to the Office of Price Administration for approval of any proposed modification thereof.
Issued this twentieth day of June 1941.
Leon Henderson,
Administrator.
⁶ See p 13.
’ As amended 6FR3061, No. 122, June 24, 1941.
Appendix Af
BASING POINTS BY PRODUCTS (Other than Gulf and Pacific ports)
Berwick, Pa. :
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Bethlehem, Pa. :
Alloy steel, hot rolled.
Bars and billets—Tool steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Alloy steel.
Structural shapes.
Birmingham :
Axles—Rolled or forged.
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Carbon steel.
Light rails—60 pounds or less per yard.
Plates—Carbon.
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Structural shapes.
Wire rods.
Wire—Drawn (includes manufacturers and merchants quality).
Wire nails and staples.
Twisted barbless and barbed wire. Wire fencing (except chain link). Bale ties.
Fence posts (angle line posts only). Buffalo :
Bars—Alloy steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Alloy steel, cold finished.
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Carbon steel, cold finished.
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet and rail steel.
Buffalo—Continued.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Alloy steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Carbon steel.
Railroad tie plates—For standard T rails.
Sheet bars.
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Burnham, Pa. :
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Canton, Ohio :
Bars—Alloy steel, hot rolled.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Alloy steel.
Sheet bars.
Chicago :
Axles—Rolled or forged.
Bars—Alloy steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Alloy steel, cold finished.
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Carbon steel, cold finished.
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Alloy steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Carbon steel.
Light rails—60 pounds or less per yard.
Plates—Carbon.
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Sheet bars.
t Amendment 6FR3061 No. 122, June 24, 1941.
423557°—41---------2
Chicago—Continued.
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Sheets—Long terne.
Strip steel—Cold rolled.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Skelp—Carbon steel.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Tin plate and terne plate.
Tin mill black plate.
Wheels—Car, rolled steel.
Wire rods.
Wire—Drawn (includes maniifac-turers and merchant quality).
Wire—Spring.
Wire nails and staples.
Twisted barbless and barbed wire.
Wire fencing (except chain link).
Bale ties.
Wire hoops.
Fence posts.
Claymont, Del. :
Plates—Carbon.
Cleveland :
Bars—Alloy steel, cold finished.
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Carbon steel, cold finished.
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Carbon steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Sheet bars.
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Strip steel—Cold rolled.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Wire rods.
Wire—Drawn (includes manufac-facturers and merchant quality).
Wire—Spring.
Wire—Telephone.
Wire nails and staples.
Twisted barbless and barbed wire.
Wire fencing (except chain link).
Bale ties.
Fence posts.
Coatesville, Pa. :
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Plates—Carbon.
Skelp—Carbon steel.
Skelp—Charcoal iron.
Columbia, Pa. :
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Creighton, Pa. :
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio :
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Detroit:
Bars,—Carbon steel, cold finished.
Doves, N. J.:
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Duluth :
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Carbon steel.
Wire—Drawn (includes manufacturers and merchant quality).
Wire—Telephone.
Wire nails and staples.
Twisted barbless and barbed wire.
Wire fencing (except chain link).
Bale ties.
Fence posts.
Gary:
Bars—Alloy steel, cold finished.
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Carbon steel, cold finished.
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Carbon steel.
Pipe—Steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Sheets—Long terne.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Structural shapes.
Gaby—Continued.
Tin plate and terne plate.
Tin mill black plate.
Glassport, Pa. :
Wire—Drawn (includes manufacturers and merchant quality).
Granite City, III. :
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Tin plate and terne plate.
Tin mill black plate.
Jersey City, N. J.:
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar—
Iron. q
Kansas City, Mo. :
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Knoxville, Tenn.
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Lebanon, Pa. :
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Railroad track spikes.
Lorain, Ohio:
Girder rails, and splice bars therefor.
Pipe—Steel.
Louisville, Ky:
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Massillon, Ohio:
Bars—Alloy steel, hot finished.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Alloy steel.
Middletown, Ohio:
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Minnequa, Colo. :
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Muncie, Ind. :
Wire—Telephone.
Pittsburgh :
Axles—Rolled or forged.
Bars—Alloy steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Alloy steel, cold finished.
Pittsburgh—Continued.
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Carbon steel, cold finished.
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, ■and rail steel.
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Bars and billets—Tool steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Alloy steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Carbon steel.
Light rails—60 pounds or less per yard.
Pipe—Wrought iron.
Pipe—Steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Sheet bars.
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Sheets—Long terne.
Strip steel—Cold rolled.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Skelp—Carbon steel.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Tin plate and terne plate.
Tin mill black plate.
Tubes—Boiler.
Wheels—Car, rolled steel.
Wire rods.
Wire—Drawn (includes manufacturers and merchant quality).
Wire—Spring.
Wire—Telephone.
Wire nails and staples.
Twisted barbless and barbed wire.
Wire fencing (except chain link).
Bale ties.
Wire hoops.
Fence posts.
Portsmouth, Ohio:
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Richmond, Va. :
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bar— Iron.
Railroad track spikes.
St. Louis, Mo. :
Railroad tie plates—fox' standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Sparbows Point, Md. :
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Carbon steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Sheet bars.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Skelp—Carbon steel.
Wire—Telephone.
Steelton, Pa. :
Girder rails and splice bars therefor.
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Syracuse, N. Y.:
Bars and billets—Tool steel.
Terre Haute, Ind. :
Bars, billets, blooms, muck bars— Iron.
Trenton, N. J.:
Wire—Telephone.
Waukegan, III. :
Wire—Telephone.
Weirton, W. Va. :
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Worcester, Mass. :
Strip steel—Cold rolled.
Wire rods.
Wire—Drawn (includes manufacturers and merchant quality).
Wire—Spring.
Youngstown, Ohio:
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Blooms, billets, and slabs—Carbon steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Railroad track spikes.
Sheet bars.
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Strip steel—Cold rolled.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Skelp—Carbon steel.
Appendix B f
GULF AND PACIFIC PORT BASING POINTS BY PRODUCTS
GULF PORTS:
Baytown, Tex. :
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Beaumont, Tex. :
Bars and small shapes—carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—C o n c r e t e reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Corpus Christi, Tex. :
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Galveston, Tex. :
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—C o n c r e t e reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Rails and splice bars for rails over 60 pounds per yard.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Wire rods.
Houston, Tex. :
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars-—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Rails and splice bars for rails over 60 pounds per yard.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Lake Charles, La. :
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
GULF PORTS—Continued.
Mobile, Ala. :
Rails and splice bars for rails over 60 pounds per yard.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
New Orleans, La. :
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Rails and splice bars for rails over 60 pounds per yard.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Orange, Tex :
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—C o n c r e t e reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Port Arthur, Tex. :
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
PACIFIC COAST PORTS:
Bellingham, Wash,
Everett, Wash.
Long Beaoh, Caleb¹.
Los Angeles
t Amendment 6FR30G1NO. 122, June 24, 1941.
PACIFIC COAST PORTS—Continued.
Sacramento, Calif.
San Diego, Calif.
Stockton, Calif.
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled. Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Tin mill black plate.
Wire rods.
Wire—Drawn (includes manufacturers and merchant quality).
Wire—Spring.
Wire nails and staples.
Twisted barbless and barbed wire.
Wire fencing (except chain link).
Bale ties.
Fence posts.
Oakland, Calif.
Portland, Oreg.
San Francisco
San Pedro, Calif.
Seattle, Wash.
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled. Bars—C o n c r e t e reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Rails and splice bars for rails over 60 pounds per yard.
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
PACIFIC COAST PORTS—Continued.
Seattle, Wash.—Continued.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Tin mill black plate.
Wire rods.
Wire—Drawn (includes manufacturers and merchant quality).
Wire—Spring.
Wire nails and staples.
Twisted barbless and barbed wire.
Wire fencing (except chain link).
Bale ties.
Fence ties.
Tacoma, Wash.
Wilmington, Calif.
Bars and small shapes—Carbon steel and rail steel, hot rolled.
Bars—Concrete reinforcing, new billet, and rail steel.
Plates—Carbon.
Railroad tie plates—for standard T rails.
Railroad track spikes.
Sheets—Cold rolled.
Sheets—Hot rolled.
Sheets—Galvanized.
Strip steel—Hot rolled.
Steel sheet piling and accessories.
Structural shapes.
Tin mill black plate.
Wire rods.
Wire—Drawn (includes manufacturers and merchant quality).
Wire—Spring.
Wire nails and staples.
Twisted barbless and barbed wire.
Wire fencing (except chain link).
Bale ties.
Fence posts.
Appendix Cf
Export base prices of United States Export Company for principal products, F. A. S. principal ports, in effect on April 16, 1941
PER GROSS TON
Boston, San Fran-
New York, Charleston, cisco,
Products Philadel- Savannah, Galveston, Seattle,
phia, New Orle- Houston Portland,
Baltimore, ans, Mobile Los Angeles
Norfolk (San Pedro)
Ingots______________._______________________________ $37.00 $37 00 $39 49 $46 60
Blooms---billets and slabs, sheet bars__________________ 42.00 42.00 44 49 51 60
Forging billets____________________________ . 48.00 48 00 50 49 57 60
Wire rods in colls_________________________ 52.00 52.00 54 49 61 60
Light rails (60 pounds and under)_____________ 52.50 52.50 58 01 6221
Heavy rails (over 60 pounds)---____________________ 54.15 54.15 59 66 63 86
Girder rails. J______________1___________________________ 65.00 58'55 60.25 64^27
PER 100 POUNDS
Angle splice bars for heavy rails_________________ $3.52 $3.52 $3 64U $3 92
Tie plates___________________________________________ 2.92 2 92 3 04^ 3 32
Track spikes_________________________________________ 3.25 3 25 3 37J^ 3 65
Axles_______________________________________ 3.38 3 58 3 3 78
Skelp__________________.______________..... ... 2.20 2 40 <2 48 2 60
Piling.!______________________________________ 2.60 2 80 2 RR 3 00
Plates (carbon steel)______________________________ 2.45 2 45 2 5714 2 R5
Structural shapes (standard)___________________________ 2.45 .2.45 ¿57^4 ¿85
Merchant bars ana bar mill shapes_________________ 2.45 2.45 2 5714 2 R5
Concrete bars (new billet)_____________________________ 2.45 2 45 2. 57^ ¿_85
Cold finished carbon steel bars_________________________ 2.88 3.08 8. Iß' 3 28
Hot rolled alloy bars___________________________________ 2.79J^ 3.04 3 04 3 14
Cold finished alloy bars____________________ .. 3.56 ’ 3 69 3 69 3 79
Hot rolled carbon tool steel bars (Tennessee special)____ 7.57 7.57 ¿37 7'50
Black annealed wire_______________________________ 3.10 3.30 3^38 3 50
Galvanized plain wire________________________________ 3.60 3 80 3 RR 4 00
Galvanized barb wire__________________________________ 3.65 3.85 3 9314 4 0714
Bright nail wire_______________________________ 2.80 3 00 3 OR 3 20
Wire nails_____________________________________________ 2.85 ¿85 2 9814 ¿_29
Galvanized staples (including $1.17 extra for galvanized) 3.90 4.12 4.21’ 4.34
Bright staples (including 72 cents extra for bright)...... 3.50 3.72 3.81 3.94
PER BASE BOX
Tin plate 14" x 20" 107 pounds---112 sheets, wooden $5.35 $5.35 $5.49 $5.80
boxes---wire strapped.._________________________4_____
tAmendment 6FR3061 No. 122, June 24,1941.
PER 100 POUNDS
Boston, San Fran-
New York, Charleston, cisco,
Products Philadel- Savannah, Galveston, Seattle,
phia, New Orle- Houston Portland,
Baltimore, ans, Mobile Los Angeles
Norfolk (San Pedro)
Hot rolled sheets, 24 B. G. plain bundles (includes 90
cents for gage)________________________________________ $3.25 $3.25 $3.3734 $3.65
10 U. S. G. plain bundles_________________________________ 2.35 2.35 2.4734 2.75
Cold rolled sheets, 17 U. S. G. in 2-ton metal crates (in- 3.40 3.60 3.68 3.80
cludes 15 cents for packing) _ _____________________ 3.90 3.90 4.0234 4.30
Galvanized sheets, 24* B. G. In plain bundles____________ 2.40 2.60 2.68 2.80
Hot rolled strip________________________________________ 3.10 3.30 3.38 3.50
Cold rolled strip_______________________________________
American standard pipe, black, T. & 0.1" to 3"_________
American standard pipe, galvanized, T. & C. 1" to 3"____ Percent
American extra strong pipe, black, plain ends, 1" to 3"---.
American extra strong pipe, galvanized, plain ends, 67 65 64.2 63
1" to 3" . _______________________________________ 56.2 54.2 53.4 52.2
65.5 63.5 62.7 61.5
55.7 53.7 52.9 51.7
53.8 51.8 51.0 49.8
43 41 40.2 39
American double extra strong pipe, black, plain ends, f 167 * 6534 >64.5 ‘63.5
2" to 234"____________________________________________ t 8 65 8 6334 8 62.5 8 61. 5
American double extra strong pipe, galvanized plain / ‘59 1 5734 *56.5 1 55.5
ends, 2" to 234"______________________________________ I >57 8 5534 8 54.5 8 53.5
English gas tubes, black, T. & C. 34" to 6"____________ 1 *62 » 6034 1 5934 *58.5
English gas tubes, galvanized, T. & C. 34" to 6"___.... I 8 57 25534 85434 2 53.5
English steam tubes, painted, T. & C. %" to 6"---______ f 150 * 4834 ’4734 • 46.5
English steam tubes, galvanized, T. & C. to 6"____ 1 8 49 8 4734 8 4634 8 45.5
Discounts:
American standard pipe—off American list No. 6.
English gas tubes—off English list No. 3, converted 2 cents to the penny.
¹ South American markets.
⁸ Other markets.
106:6
OFFICE OF PRICE ADMINISTRATION
Washington, D. C.
To Members of the Steel Industry:
Price Schedule No. 6, Iron and Steel Products, Section 1 (&), defines “iron and steel products” as follows:
The term “iron or steel products” includes all iron or steel ingots, all semifinished iron or steel products, all finished hot-rolled or cold-rolled iron or steel products, and all iron or steel products further finished (by galvanizing, enameling, plating, coating, drawing, extruding, or otherwise) in a manner commonly performed at steel works or rolling mills, and shall include all products listed in the table of Capacity and Production for Sale contained in the Annual Statistical Report of the American Iron and Steel Institute for 1989, pages 42-43: Provided, That the term shall not include pig iron.
It is clear from section 2 that the price schedule covers both standard and specialty products.
Although little difficulty has been experienced with this definition, this office, in response to inquiries from members of the industry, from time to time has made certain interpretations that specific products are included within the Price Schedule. In order that these interpretations may be made available to the industry generally in the interest of uniform compliance, we enclose for your information a list of products which so far have been specifically passed on. This list does not in any way limit the inclusiveness of the above definition. As other questions are raised, this list will be supplemented from time to time.
Sincerely yours,
J. K. Galbraith,
Assistant Administrator.
106:7.
OFFICE OF PRICE ADMINISTRATION Washington, D. C.
PRICE SCHEDULE NO. 6, REVISED, IRON AND STEEL PRODUCTS
List A
The following iron and steel products and their alloys (includin; stainless) are “iron or steel products” as defined in Price Schedule Nc 6. This list does not limit the inclusiveness of the definition. A interpretations are made, this list will be supplemented from time t time:
Ingots.
Blooms.
Billets.
Slabs.
Sheet bars.
Skelp.
Tube rounds.
Muck bar.
Forging rounds.
Bars and small shapes, new billet, and rail steel:
Merchant.
Cold finished—carbon.
Concrete reinforcing.
Alloy—hot rolled, cold finished.
Hoops and baling bands.
Tool-steel bars (rolled and forged).
All plates, sheared and universal.
Armor plate—forged, cast, rolled, and otherwise.
Shapes, including bearing piles.
Sheet piling and accessories.
Ralls:
Standard (over 60 pounds).
Light (under 60 pounds).
All other (including girder and guard).
Track materials; including:
Tie plates.
Tie rods.
Track spikes—regular cut and screw.
Splice bars (joint bars, angle bars, rail joints, and fish plates).
Track bolts, nuts.
Ties.
Axles, car wheels, or any combination, rolled or forged.
Pipe and tube—plain, threaded, and coupled (including conduit, spiral welded pipe, and mechanical tubing) :
Butt-weld.
Lap-weld.
Electric-weld.
Gas-weld.
Seamless.
Hammer-weld.
. Black plate.
Tin plate:
Hot rolled.
Cold reduced.
Sheets and strip, including plain and corrugated; and roofing and siding of all types:
Hot rolled.
Cold rolled.
Galvanized’.
Ternes.
Enameling.
Electrical.
All other.
Wire rods.
Wire—drawn (including manufacturer’s and merchant).
Wire belting.
Bale ties and buckle wire.
Wire nails,, staples,, tacks.
Twisted btft'bless and barbed-wire.
Woven-wire fencing.
Chain-link fencing.
Poultry and animal farm netting.
Woven-wire cloth—insect, hardware, and all other.
Wire rope, wire strand, and special cords, such as aircraft.
Wire clothesline, twisted and solid.
Wire hoops—twisted or welded.
Communications and power , transmission wire.
Welded or woven wire fabric for reinforcing.
Posts—fence and sign and all other.
Press Release
April 17,1941—PM m
Issuance of Price Schedule No. 6
A price schedule freezing steel prices at the levels which prevailed during the first quarter of 1941 was issued today by Leon Henderson, Administrator, Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply. This action was precipitated, Mr. Henderson explained, by recent wage increases in the industry.
Mr. Henderson pointed out that a steel price increase at this time might touch off a general increase in the cost of living and start the country off on the road to price inflation.
A thorough study of prices and costs in the steel industry will immediately be made by the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply, he said. Adjustments in the schedule will be made, he added, if these studies indicate that they are necessary.
“I have every confidence,” Mr. Henderson said, “that the steel industry, which has so patriotically cooperated in the defense program, will continue to cooperate in the task of maintaining these ceiling prices.
“Steel is an element of cost in practically every item of the defense program. It is also an element of cost, direct or indirect, in virtually every item of civilian consumption. The market place looks to the price of steel as sheep look to the bellwether.
“A rise in steel prices would inevitably be followed by rises in prices of every other basic commodity. These increases would in turn be reflected in rising prices of manufactured goods. Presently the ultimate consumer would find that he must pay more for what he buys, and so the foundation would have been laid for a dangerous upward spiral of prices in general—which would mean, briefly, boosting the cost of living.
“There has not been time for accurate measurement either of production or distribution factors in the steel industry. Despite the fact that published base prices have remained unchanged, concessions have disappeared, extra charges have been increased, and in some cases premiums have been obtained. In addition, certain contracts have ‘escalator’ clauses which enable producers to add certain additional costs to contract prices. The net effect of the defense program and
the cost and price relationships in the industry thus cannot immediately be determined. Under such circumstances, a general price increase cannot reasonably be justified at present.
“The action taken today to freeze steel prices at levels prevailing during the first quarter of 1941 should not be interpreted as fixing summarily a steel price ceiling for the duration of the emergency, or for any set period. Rather, it is an effort designed to be as helpful to the industry and its customers, of which the Federal Government is the largest, as to the economy in general. Today’s action establishes, if you like, a cooling-off period during which the effect of thé defense program upon the industry and its cost factors may be rationally appraised.
“Estimates and guesses are not enough when the Nation’s welfare may be at stake. This action also forecloses arbitrary or precipitate action on the part of any member or group of members of the industry looking toward price boosting, and eliminates premiums for advanced delivery which a few companies have already begun to exact.
“We are immediately taking steps to resolve the prevailing uncertainties as to cost factors, production requirements, and distribution, both as to defense and civilian needs. Meanwhile, prices should not be advanced.
“If facts are developed which show that an increase might be warranted, the necessary adjustments can be made.
“It cannot be too strongly emphasized that any steel price increase now can put us on the road to a series of economic maladjustments having their climax in a disastrous inflationary movement.”
In fixing ceiling prices, Mr. Henderson explained, the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply made use of the steel industry’s existing basing point, price leadership, and extras system. Thus, the first-quarter price for a given type of steel product is simply the sum of three things—the basing point base price, extras (both as defined in the Price Schedule), and transportation charges. For products on which there are no base prices, the ceiling price is to be the price as of March 31, 1941.
The Schedule provides that price ceilings may not be evaded by additional charges for prompt delivery, or by other direct or indirect methods. Contracts entered into before issuance of the Price Schedule, containing “escalator” clauses which might send prices above the ceiling, may be carried out unchanged.
The Schedule requires manufacturers to retain copies of all invoices, dated January 1, 1941, or later, relating to sales to warehousemen, jobbers, brokers, and all other persons purchasing for resale. Ihe order further states that reports on such sales will be required by supplements to the Schedule.
“If the information gained through this procedure and from other sources reveals that middlemen in the industry are profiting inordinately at the expense of consumers of iron and steel products, further action will be-taken to remedy the abuse,” Mr. Henderson asserted.
The Price Schedule, Mr. Henderson said, was issued after it had been submitted to and considered by the Price Administration Committee.
Press Release
June, £1, 19^1—PM 588
Revision of Price Schedule No. 6
Several changes in price Schedule No. 6 establishing ceiling prices on iron and steel products have been made in a revision of that Schedule, Leon Henderson, Administrator, Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply, announced today.
This action was taken in accordance with suggestions received from a cross section of the steel industry so as to facilitate operation of the Schedule. The changes, which are made retroactive to April 17, when the Schedule w’as first issued, do not constitute a general upward revision of the price ceiling. Principal changes include:
(1) In determining the domestic ceiling price for any iron or steel product sellers may now use “transportation charges from the governing basing point to the place of delivery as customarily computed,” instead of “the lowest published common carrier freight rate.” This change brings the Schedule into line with customary industry practice.
(2) Basing point prices in effect April 16 are established as the ceiling instead of those in effect March 31, 1941, as specified in the original Schedule. This gives effect to minor changes in charges for extras instituted between March 31, 1941, and April 16, 1941.
(3) An alternative ceiling for export prices is established. The original schedule required that domestic prices at the basing point nearest the point of production be used. Now the export prices of United States Steel Export Co. at the various seaboard shipping points may be used if desired.
(4) In view of the possible shortage in water transportation and need of shipyards to place steel orders at interior mills, producers are now permitted to go to a basing point system for Gulf and Pacific coast shipments instead of being compelled to continue use of arbitrary delivered prices at these points. Rail freight rates may be charged where water transportation is no longer available.
(5) Sellers are now permitted to compute delivered prices in terms of the basing-point price nearest the mill where the steel is produced. Under the original schedule all domestic sales had to be computed in terms of the basing-point price which gave the lowest
delivered price. Needs of the defense program have forced allocation of orders to mills which ordinarily did not sell in the areas to which this steel must go. The change in the schedule permits such mills to handle such orders without undue hardship.
Press Release
August 15,19^1—PM 91^5
Questionnaires Mailed to Members of Steel Industry
Questionnaires¹ were mailed today to 225 members of the steel industry to obtain for the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply complete and accurate statistical data on which to base decisions on any adjustments that may become necessary in the ceiling prices established for iron and steel products.
Data on steel production by tonnage and forms, raw materials consumed, sales byproducts, income and expense accounts, financial position and pay rolls from each of the producers, will provide OPACS with an over-all picture of the iron and steel industry, as well as of the difference in character of operations and financial results of the individual companies.
Because the information is required promptly, the questionnaires request only such data as should be readily available from records of the steel companies for the year 1940 and the first two quarters of 1941.
Four schedules are incorporated in the questionnaire. They are (1) consolidated profit-and-loss statements; (2) purchases, production, and sales; (3) wages, salaries, man-hours, employment, and major wage and salary rate changes; (4) consolidated balance sheets; and (5) historical data as to production, profits, etc., from 1936 through 1940 and for the first two quarters of the current year.
In his letter accompanying the questionnaire, Mr. Henderson expresses the hope that steel producers will regard completion of the forms as a part of the defense program. All information submitted will be for the use of defense agencies only. It will not be published in any form that would reveal the identity of any individual producer.
Return of questionnaires not later than September 2, 1941, the Administrator adds, will place OPACS in a position to proceed promptly with its study.
Producers of iron and steel not receiving questionnaires are requested to communicate with the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply, Washington, D. C.
¹ Form 106: 4, on file in Office of Price Administration.
Supplement
Establishment of the Office of Price Administration
On April 11, 1941, the President issued Executive Order No. 8734,¹ establishing the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply, which combined the Price, Consumer, and, in part, Agricultural Divisions of the National Defense Advisory Commission. On April 15. 1941, Leon Henderson, Administrator of the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply, issued an order ratifying action taken by the Price Stabilization Division prior to the Executive Order of April 11, 1941. This order provided as follows :
1. All price schedules, instructions, announcements, forms, and notices heretofore issued, promulgated, or adopted, and all committees formed, by the Advisers on Price Stabilization and Consumer Protection, members of the Advisory Commission to the Council of National Defense, or by the Price Stabilization and Consumer Divisions of the Advisory Commission to the Council of National Defense are hereby ratified, adopted, and continued in effect, until modified, terminated, or superseded, as price schedules, instructions, announcements, forms, notices, and committees, of the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply and the Administrator thereof.
2. This ruling is issued under, and in execution of the purposes of, Executive Order No. 8734, issued by the President on April 11, 1941.
Issued this 15th day of April 1941.²
Leon Henderson,
Administrator.
On August 28,1941, the President issued Executive Order No. 8875,³ which transferred the Division of Civilian Supply from the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply to the Office of Production Management. The title of the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply was changed to the Office of Price Administration. On August 30, 1941, Leon Henderson issued a press release stating that all action taken by the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply remained in full force and effect regardless of the change of name to Office of Price Administration. The text of the release is as follows :
All price schedules issued by the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply remain in full force and effect regardless of the change of name announced
' 6FR1917 No. 73, April 15, 1941.
²6FR1965 No. 74, April 16, 1941.
» 6FR4483 No. 170, August 30, 1941.
*
in the President’s Executive Order of Thursday, Leon Henderson, Administrator of the Office of Price Administration, announced today.
“The Executive Order,” Mr. Henderson said, “merely provides that the title of the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply be changed to Office of Price Administration. It does not affect in any way the powers of the agency in regard to price control. Consequently all price ceiling schedules issued and all other action taken by this agency under the prior name remain fully effective under our new name.” ⁴
⁴ Press Release, August 30, 1941, PM 1059.
O. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1*41