U.S. STEEL PRODUCTION ROSE 1.3 PCT IN WEEK Steel production rose 1.3 pct to 1,696,000 short tons in the week ended March 28 from 1,675,000 short tons, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported Production so far this year was 18,810,000 tons adjusted off 14.6 pct from 22,016,000 tons produced by the nations mills a year ago. Utilization for the week of March 28 was 78.7 pct and for the week of March 21 was was 77.8 pct.