ABSTRACT
The Thomas Iron Company proceeded to employ new immigrants, but even the marginal foreign workers were not retained for long periods; better wage opportunities in other areas drew them away from the iron works. In 1912, when the iron company lost $56,982 in the production of iron, the Ironton paid a dividend of $90,000, and the Catasauqua and Fogelsville paid a dividend of $17,072.50. Early in 1895, when the iron company had been pressed for funds needed for furnace improvements, the Ironton Railroad was offered to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company but the bid to sell was turned down. By 1911 and 1912 the pressure on the pig iron market was increased as the steel companies finally brought their iron production into line with their steel capacity. Gradually the company's sales did increase to the point where profits were adequate enough to finance the rebuilding program, but the work was very slowly completed.
