The Iron Age 1901-02-28: Vol 67 Iss 9

THE TRON. AGE Trades. New York. A Review of the Hardware, Iron, Machi a dO ‘i t ate Published every Thursday Morning by David Williams Co., 232-238 Ww... im St. $5.00 a Year, including Postage. Single Copies, Ten Cents. Vol.67: No. 9. New York, Thursday, February 28. 1901. Reading Matter Contents.........page 51 phabetical Index to Advertisers “‘ 139 Classified List of Advertisers ... ‘* 141 A New U. M. 0. .22 Short Smokeless Cartridge AT A REDUCED PRICE. Little Noise. No burning grains of powder from the rifle’s muzzle, Comparatively dvertising and Subscription Rates “‘ 95 ACCURATE, SMOKELESS, CLEAN. “|| ows Propucts Cheap. hstOr's Patent Steel Belt Lacing, Your Dealer has it or can get it for you. SAVES Time, Belts, Money. THE UNION METALLIC CARTRIDGE CO, 315 BROADWAY, N. Y. BRIDGEPORT, CONN. i GreatestStrength | READY TO APPLY = FURIE JOINT with Least Metal | Send fer Circulars and Free Samp!es. | THE BRISTOL CO., Waterbury, Conn. SAMSON SPOT CORD CAHALL BOILERS “% CAPEWELL HORSE NAILS. NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA, tts and Phenix Also Mims of Suan Cord: TURNBUCKLES. 3 SAMSON CORDAGE WORKS, Boston, Mass. NEW ORLEANS. CHICAGO Ze OF oon : s-C Branch Office. 11 Broadway, New York. ST. LOUIS, - ON aS Cleveland City Forge and IronCo., - Cleveland, O. BOSTON, we ; BRAN : DETROIT, % . B= 8 4 ’ CHES: cinNcINNATI, 7 MAR 1 \9ul ig ou ee =S mee” SAN FRANCISCO, y —— ‘ e<o= PORTLAND, ORE. Ye <. ive s 'S ’ ’ &, my ‘\ ms" & BUFFALO, QQ” renga nero s it c g BALTIMORE, — THE CAPEWELL HORSE NAIL COMPANY, HARTFORD, CONN. P| Girard Building, Phila. ’ Lo Flock » Fitts burgh. _56 Pin > St, Ne w York. } o a « Jenkins ’96 Packing. Pronounced by steam users throughout the world the best joint packing manufactured. Expensive? Not at all, as it weighs 30¢ less than many other packings, consequently is much cheaper. JENKINS BROTHERS, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago. ‘Brass Prices High So Use Bright“Swedoh” Stamp- g5 130 _ ing Steel. Easily Brass Plated and Save Money. page MAGNOLIA METAL. Best Anti-Friction Metal for all Machinery Bearings. If you use a common gal- vanized iron, you ought to be poor ; if you use Apollo, you ought to be rich. American Sheet Steel Company Battery Park Building Pac-Simile of Bar. New York Beware of imitations. MAGNOLIA METAL C0,, %66 2x4 267 weet St... Tondon. Chicago, Montreal Pittsburgh, Owners and Sole Manufacturers. NEW YORK. Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia. THE ANSONIA BRaAss ps” COPPER CO. MANUFACTURERS OF BRASS AND COPPER Seamless Tubes, Sheets, Rods and Wire. Ingot Copper SOLE MANUFACTURERS Tobin Bronze (TRADE-MaRK REGISTERED.) Condenser,Plates,Pump Linings, Round, Square and Hexagon Bars, for Pump Piston Rods and Bolt Forgings. 99 John Street, . New York. Randolph-Clowes Co., Main Office and Mill, WATERBURY, CONN. MANUFACTURERS OF SHEET BRASS & COPPER. BRAZED BRASS & COPPER TUBES. SEAMLESS BRASS & COPPER TUBES TO 36 IN. DIAM. New York Office, 258 —\ ‘aoe Postal Tel- egraph Bidg., Room 202 Chicago Office, erie Fisher Bld Boston Office, Cor. Oliver andl encase Sts. Weiaaany an Co. Established 1845. Sheet, Roll and Platers’ Brass, German Silver, Co , Brass and Ger- man Silver re, Brass and Copper Tu COPPER RIVETS cn BURS. TAPE MEASURES, METALLIC EYELETS, Brass Kettles, Brass Tags, Powder Flasks, Shot Pouches, &c., AND SMALL BRASS WARES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION Cartridge Metal in Sheets or Shells a Specialty. DEPOTS : 0 Centre St., New York. 125 Eddy St. nvew- . dence, R. 1. 38 Mechanic St., Newark, NJ MILLS AT WATERBURY, CONN. Deoxidized and Ordnance Babbitt and Anti-Friction Metals, Best and Cheapest. BRIDGEPORT DEOXIDIZED BRONZE & METAL CO., BRIDGEPORT, CONN. ‘Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Co., LA SALLE, ILLINOIS. SMELTERS OF SPELTER AND MANUFACTURERS OF SHEET ZINC AND SULPHURIC ACID. Special Sizes of Zinc cut to order. Rolled Battery Plates. Selected "Plates for Etchers’ and Lithographcrs’ use. Selected Sheets for Paper and Card Makers’ use. Stove and Washboard Blanks. ZINCS FOR LECLANCHE BATTERY. BRASS F OUNDERS LINN J, RYAN & CO. — 7 — Ti a ae — 1 fob ebael_ hia Oi eble!-t-co} Best Bronze, Babbitt Metals, Brass and Aluminum CASTINGS _ No be 2 ace ma Guaranteed. BATTLE CREEK, MICH. R. A. HART, 4w Neary "e3. 00 5 Wheel, 83.25 a EN —_ METAL SussTiTUTE | eee BROS. MFRS, WESTFIELD ate) uw owe a SU HENDRICKS BROTHERS PROPRIETURS OF THE Belleville Copper Rolling Mills, | te sr MANUFACTURERS OF Braziers’ Bolt and Sheathing COPPER, COPPER WiRE AND RIVETS. Importers and Dealers in Ingot Copper, Block Tin, Spelter, Lead, Antimony, etc. 49 CLIFF ST., "NEW YORK. THE PLUME & Atwood MF6. C0, MANUFACTURERS OF Sheet and Roll Brass —AND— WIRE PRINTERS’ BRASS, JEWELERS’ METAL, GERMAN SILVER AND GILDING METAL, COPPER RIVETS AND BURRS. Pins, Brass Butt Hinges, Jack Chain, Kere. sene Burners, Lamps, Lamp Trimmings, &c. 29 MURRAY ST., NEW YORK. 144 HIGH ST., BOSTON. 199 LAKE ST., CHICAGO, ROLLING MILL : THOMASTON, CONN. FACTORIES : WATERBURY, CONN, SCOVILL MFG. CO., Manufacturers of BRASS SHEET, WIRE, TUBES. Hinges, Buttons, Lamp Goods, Nipples, Pumps and Oilers for Bicyeles, Braziers’ Solder. FACTORIES, WATERBURY, CONN. DEPOTS: MEW YORK, CHICAGO, BOSTON. JOHN DAVOL & SONS, AGENTS FOR Brooklyn Brass & Copper Co., DEALERS IN COPPER, TIN, SPELTER, LEAD, ANTIMONY. 100 John Street, New York. Arthur T. Rutter, SUCCESSOR TO WILLIAM S. FEARING, 256 Broadway, New York. Sheet Brass, German Silver, Cop- per, Brass and German Silver Wire, Brazed and Seamless Brass and Copper Tubes, Smal! Tubing a Specialty. Brass and Copper Rods, Brass Ferrules. Sheet and Ingot Copper; Spelter, Tin, Antimony, Lead, etc. “Seare-Lignt” OIL and GAS Bicycle Lanterns. Send ter Circulars and Electrotypes. DGEPORT BRASS CO., Bridgeport, Conn. 19 Murray *. N.Y. 17 No. jth St., Sallategnts. to 87 Pearl St., Bosto bt see aw ‘THE IRON AGE THURSDAY, Ferruary 28, 1901. The Becker-Brainard Plain Milling Machine. In the No. 53 plain horizontal milling machine, built by the Becker-Brainard Milling Machine Company of Jamaica Plain, Mass., the saddle is of unusual length, being the full length of the table and 10 inches longer than the maximum feed of the platen. The cross feed is also much greater than on the ordinary machine of tuis type. The machine is provided with a powerful vertical spindle and angular attachment. The spindle is bored to coincide with the main spindle; therefore all eutters fitted to the hole of the main spindle can be used with the vertical spindle. The head can be set to THE BECKER-BRAINARD any angle, and is well adapted for rack and slot cut- ting in line with the spindle. The rack cutter is run on an auxiliary spindle connected with the angular attach- ment, and is set to run between the bearings central with the axis of the vertical spindle. The unusual range of the cross feed of the table will allow of end milling with the vertical spindle set in a horizontal position, at a right angle with the main spindle. The rotary at- tachment has a graduated taple, and is fed automatical- ly in either direction by means of a gear bracket and in- terchangeable feed gears, giving 32 changes of rotary feed. Adjustable stops are provided to trip the rotary feed automatically at either end of the segment. The main spindle is provided with adjustable bronze boxes, bored to B. & 8S. taper, No. 11. The arbors, mills and collets are rigidly secured by means of a draw bar. Backing out is done by unscrewing the draw bar at the rear end of the spindle. she machine illustrated has a PLAIN E four-step cone for 34-inch belt, and is back geared 10 to 1. The diameter of the largest step is 1454 inches, small 6144 inches, giving with two counter speeds 16 changes of spindle speeds. The overhanging arm can be pushed back, and is provided with one main and one auxiliary brace for supporting the arbor. It will swing cutters 1614 All the table feeds are automatic in either direction, and instantly reversible. Automatic stops are provided for tripping the feed lever. The table feeds can be manipulated by hand from the front of the machine or at either end of the table, to suit the convenience of the operator. A quick return motion with a ratio of 8 to 1 is conveniently located at the step inches in diameter. MILLING MACHINE, of the machine. All feed screws are dialed with micrometer readings to 1-1000 inch. The knee may be fed automatically in either direc- The principal dimensions are: Full length of ta- ble, 56 inches; longitudinal feed, 42 inches; transverse feed, 16 feed per revolution of cutter, 0.003 to 0.350 inch; greatest distance between center of spindle and platen, 26 inches; greatest distance between spindle and rotary platen, 20 inches; greatest distance between vertical spindle attachment and main table, 18 inches; vertical adjustment of knee, 26 diameter of spindle at main bearing, 3 inches; diameter of rotary ta- bie outside oil pockets, 22 inches; inside, 19 inches. he ees The Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power & Mfg. Com- pany have let the contract for a new wire and elevator tower to the American Bridge Company. This tower will be of steel, and the elevator feature is designed to front tion. inches; inches; 9 THE afford access to the power station located at the water’s edge. At present the station is reached by means of an incline operated by the Cliff Paper Company for the pur- pose of transferring wood from the top of the bank to the pulp mill below and pulp from the mill to the paper mill at the top of the bank. This incline is one of the most remarkable at the falls, and passengers have to travel to and from the station with wood or pulp. When the new elevator is in operation the trip will be made with much greater safety and comfort. The cost of the tower and elevator will be about $15,000. The shaft will rise from the southeast corner of the power house straight up, and from the edge of the cliff to the car a bridge will be built. As the new elevator is to be in- stalled at once, it will be ready to accommodate the ex- pected large crowds of visitors during the coming sum- mer. ~<_ Pacific Coast News. San FRANcIsco, CAL., February 18, 1901.—As I write is raining steadily, and has done so all day; in fact, the rains this winter have been harder and steadier than for some years past, and have been more equably distributed throughout the Stafe. The result will doubt- fess be an area of 3,500,000 acres sowed to grain and an exceptionally large crop of cereals of all descriptions, and a consequent good year. In a business sense everything seems to be looking well. We scored a 10 per cent. increase in clearing house receipts in January ever the same month in 1900, while during the week just closed our increase over last year was 21 per cent. nearly. This is attributed to the activity in oil deals and to the payment by Bisler people for the purchases previously made of oil lands and oil wells. made fortunes in this matter. One notable instance is that of a South Pacific freight conductor, who, out of #ome supposed worthless land in Kern County, taken as an asset for a bad debt, now finds himself a millionaire. And the case is not an isolated one. In fact, the oil ex- citement has stirred up all the State and made mat- ters lively in mercantile circles generally. The supplies meeded in the business belong principally to the iron line, and for many months past business has been boom- fing. Indeed, for many months the Many have demand for cer- IRON THE BECKER-BRAINARD PLAIN AGE. February 28, 1901 tain goods has been far in advance of the supply. The value of oil well supplies sold in this city during the cur- rent year will reach at least the two million mark. There continues to be a good export trade in iron and steel with the Hawaiian Islands and a moderate one with Mexico and Central America. The usual Eastern transit trade with China and Japan continues about as hereto- fore. In other directions, however, very little is being done. Some of our houses are making preparations to extend their trade, and ere any long time has elapsed San Francisco will have some very able representatives of the trade in the principal cities on the west coast of South America. As there is now a monthly steamer line from this city touching at the principal ports of western South America, we have no doubt that a good business will be done. Especially will this be the case as another line will increase the facilities of the same trade. Indeed there is little else now taixed of than new steamer lines from this port to various points on the Pacific. The Pacific mail steamers that have plied so long between San Francisco and Mexican and Cen- MILLING MACHINE. tral ports and Panama will now, it is announced, be put on to Alaskan ports. A very good trade with these ports is expected during the spring and early summer, especially in mining tools and appliances, machinery, «&e. A meeting of delegates from variouS commercial bod- ies of this city was held on February 14 to discuss plans for a direct steamship line to Manila. The representa- tive of a steamship company offered to dispatch a ves- sel about March 1, charging $9 per ton, which is about two-thirds of the present rate via Hong hong. Among the representatives of various organizations members of the iron trade were notably conspicuous. J. oO. L» i A 6-inch Krupp armor plate from the Carnegie works, representing a lot of armor for the Russian battle ship “Emperor Alexander III,” building at Philadelphia, was tested on Saturday at the Indian Head Proving Ground with excellent results. Three 6inch Holtzer armor piercing projectiles were fired at it, with velocities rang- ing from 1910 to 1930 feet per second. The greatest penetration was 2 inches and no cracks resulted. February 28, 1901 The Cuban Tariff. WASHINGTON, D. C., February 26, 1901.—Negotiations are now on foot which will probably result in a compre- hensive revision of the Cuban tariff soon after the pres- ent schedules expire on March 31 next. While this re- vision will doubtless be prepared in Havana, and will be in part the work of prominent Cubans, the American influence will predominate, and the new draft will re- ceive the approval of the War Department before its promulgation. The announcement that the new Cuban constitution will be forwarded to Washington in a few days and the understanding here that an extra session for its early consideration will be called have raised several important questions as to the future commercial relations between the United States and Cuba with spe- cial reference to the existing tariff and the possibility of its early modification. A number of exporters in various lines of trade have recognized the significance of recent developments, and in addition to addressing inquiries to the War, Treasury and State departments have brought much pressure to bear looking to the comprehensive modification of the Cuban tariff. These inquiries are based upon two considerations: First, the expiration of the present Cuban iariff on March 31 next, and second, the proposed transfer to Cuba of jurisdiction over its own financial affairs, including the customs tariff and internal taxation. The general character of the com- munications received here on this subject may be gath- ered from the following extract from a letter from a prominent New York firm in which the question is asked as to whether the War Department proposes to make comprehensive modifications of the tariff upon its expira- tion. This letter continues: “It seems to us that when the present tariff with Cuba was prepared the authorities lost sight of the fact that for many years all tariffs and customs regulations were arranged by Spain with a view to monopolizing as far as possible the trade with the island. Now, while an effort was undoubtedly made to equalize these dis- criminations when the present tariff was prepared we think the American producer failed to receive the consid- eration he deserved. It would appear that the expira- tion of the present tariff will furnish an excellent oppor- tunity for making certain readjustments that will give the people of the United States at least an equal chance with those of Spain and Great Britain in getting into the Cuban market. ‘*We would like to be advised further as to whether the ratification of the Cuban constitution and the setting up of a civil government in the island will mean that the Cubans thereafter will make their own customs tar- iffs. This is most important to our exporters, and espe- cially is it desirable that if any such change is to be made notice thereof should be given at the earliest prac- ticable date. There is reason to apprehend that if the Cubans are to make their own tariffs hereafter the com- mercial supremacy in the island of Spain and Great Britain will be very influential and naturally antago- nistic to the United States.” Until within a few days it had been the purpose of the War Department to resist any general overhauling of the Cuban tariff at this time. Two or three modifica- tions found by experience to be necessary had been de- cided upon and would have been promulgated to take ef- fect on March 31. So much pressure has been brought to bear upon the Department, however, that the Secre- tary of War has consented to submit the matter of a complete revision to Governor-General Wood with the understanding that he is to consult with Colonel Bliss, the present Collector of Customs at Havana. The sug- gestion has been tentatively made that a commission to consist of five members, with Colonel Bliss at its head, should be appointed to give hearings and to draft a new set of schedules tou be promulgated after careful revision by the War Department. Two of the commissioners in addition to the Collector of Customs would be Americans, one probably chosen to represent the export interests of the United States, and the other American commercial interests in Cuba. The two Cubans would represent the native merchants and the element from which the THE IRON AGE. 3 projected independent government will probably be organized. In view of the fact that the present tariff will expire in about 30 days the Secretary of War has urged General Wood to investigate these questions at once, and to ad- vise the Department of his conclusions as soon as pos- sible in order that the commission may undertake and conclude its work in time for the promulgation of the new tariff as soon as may be after the expiration of the schedules now in force. It is not believed that this work can be satisfactorily accomplished within less than 90 days, if the revision is to be comprehensive, and it is therefore probable that the present tariff will continue in force until about June 1. While the whole subject is yet in an embryotiec state it is the general undestanding that the proposed revision will result in the reduction of duties on certain lines of merchandise manufactured in the United States, although the provisions of the treaty of Paris preclude the making of special rates on American products. There is general de- mand for a reduction in the present duties on machinery, textiles, oils, &c., and it is believed with reference to machinery and oils, if not to textiles, that a cut in the present rates would give the American producers the market as well as greatly stimulate consumption. The proposition that the Cuban tariff shall be speedily revised by a commission is likely to prove acceptable, both to the American authorities in the island and to the administration in Washington, because it will afford a temporary solution, at least, of the question as to when and how Cuba is to be granted jurisdiction over its own tariff matters. It is understood that the present consti- tution does not cover any phase of the foreign relations of the island so far as its commerce is concerned, and there is a strong contingent in both branches of Congress disposed to insist that the right of the United States to continue a Jimited supervision of the finances of the is- land shall be recognized in any arrangement providing for the independence of Cuba. Such a right would naturally carry with it some control of the tariff. If a revision participated in by the Cubans themselves can be promulgated contemporaneously with the procla- mation of the new constitution, and almost simultaneous- ly with the election of the officials of the new govern- ment, which will take place early in July, it is believed that such a tariff by general consent would remain in force indefinitely. It is also likely that a provision might be incorporated in the tariff providing that no modifica- tions should be made within a year or more, and that when again revised such revision should be undertaken by another commission similar to that now projected. Such an arrangement would obviate all question as to Cuban control of the tariff, and while reducing the pos- sibility of friction to a minimum would insure adequate consideration of American interests in any future tariff changes. Ww. L. C. all penal The Drawback on Locomotive Appliances. Under date of February 13 the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury has made the following decision: On the exportation of locomotives, in the manufacture of which have been used in part imported appliances, such as injectors, air brakes, water gauges and clack boxes, or other appliances required for the construction of a locomotive complete, by fitting and permanently at- taching the same thereto, a drawback will be allowed equal in amount to the duties paid on the imported ma- terial so used, less the legal deduction of 1 per cent. The entry under which the merchandise is to be in- spected and laden must show the marks and numbers of the shipping packages containing the parts or appliances op which drawback of duties is claimed, and must de- scribe such parts or appliances as they are described in the import invoice. The drawback entry must show the number of loco- motives exported and the number of imported parts or appliances of the several kinds or descriptions on which drawback of duties is claimed. Attached to the said entry and forming a part thereof must be a sworn state- ment, addressed to the collector of customs at the port a £e0e THE of exportation, accompanied with photographic or other representations, pointing out clearly the parts or appli- ances on which drawback of duties is claimed and ex- plaining their action or use. In liquidation, the number of parts or appliances of each kind and description which may be taken as bases for allowance of drawvack may equal the number de- clared in the drawback entry after official verification. These instructions will take the place of all special regulations issued upon the subject, which are hereby rescinded. ee The Chemistry and Heat Treatment of Steel Rails.* BY WILLIAM R WEBSTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA. Opinions still differ widely concerning the require- ments, chemical and physical. which should be expressed in specifications for steel rails, in order to secure results satisfactory to both manufacturers and purchasers. Sir Lowthian Bell is reported as saying last summer, at the London meeting cf the American Society of Civil Engineers, that “as he had been 25 years a manufacturer or rails, and 25 years a director in the North Eastern Railway, he represented both maker and user, and he had at his disposal 35,000 analyses to go upon, in making deductions. From these he could prove, and disprove, everything that could be said fer or against any compo- sition of a rail, a facility beloved by the expert.” The analyses and tests referred to by Sir Lowthian Bell are, no doubt, similar to those in many of the records we have in this couniry. The reason of the chemical composition of some of the rails not being in accord with the physical tests could, in many cases, be accounted for if we had a full history of the manufacture of the blows of steel in question. In other the heat treatment of the steel has not been recorded, and the chemical composition alone will not account for all the differences in results observed in tests made or on the rails in use. For instance, a rail of inferior chemical composition finished in rolling at the proper temperature will give better results than a rail of good chemical com- position finished in rolling at too high a temperature. Again two rolls of equally good chemical composition, one having high carbon and the other low carbon, fin- ished in rolling at the same temperature, may give very different results in service, or under the drop test. Sup- pose the finishing temperature to be right for the low carbon steel, it may be too high for the high carbon steel, and give a poor rail. Notwithstanding these differences all will agree that to make the safest and best wearing rail you must start with a uniform steel of good chemical composition and roll it under the proper conditions of heating, reduction and finishing temperature. The section of the rail has a direct bearing on the finishing temperature, as the large mass of metal in the head carries the heat much longer than the thin metal in the flange and web. I have for some time advocated putting more metal in the flanges and web of our heavy rails, in order to carry the heat, and allow the work of rolling on the head at a low enough temperature to break up the coarse grain ard produce a tough structure. Another important point to be considered is the proper amount of carbon reqvired in different sections of rails to produce the best results. It is generally admitted that a moderate amount of carbon, with enough work at a low temperature to produce and hardness, will give better results than higher carbon steel finished in rolling at a higher temperature. The latter method is often used, without fully appreciating the trouble one may get into by doing so. words, toughness As the carbon is increased the danger of a large grain being produced in the steel by finishing at a high temperature is very greatly in- creased. When you consider this in connection with the large mass of metal in the head of our heavier rails and the thin metal in the flanges and web, you have a difficult problem, and :t is not to be wondered at that rails rolled * From a paper at the Richmond meeting of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. IRON AGE. Iebruary 28, 1901 under these conditions do not always give satisfactory results. Another important matter is to have a satisfactory check on the finishing temperature of the rails. It is not of much use to say that the rails must be finished at a dull red or any other particular color, as opinions differ as to just what a dull red is, and in the daytime it cer- tainly looks very different than at night. The best check we have is a simple one that I have advocated for some time—that is, the amount of shrinkage that takes place in a 30-foot rail from the time it is cut at the hot saw until it reaches the normal temperature. Just how many inches it is proper to allow could be easily decided by experiment and introduced into the specifications. The structure produced by too high finishing temper- ature is not thoroughly understood, and the drop test has not been recognized as the most important check we have on it. It is a rather crude test in one sense, but im another it is more valuable than a tension test, partic- ularly on material that has been finished at too high a temperature in rolling. A drop or shock test will develop brittleness in cases where a fair elongation may be given under the slow pull of the testing machine. I consider that a drop test should be made on every blow of steel, as it is the most satisfactory test we have to check the quality of the finished rail, and it will show up brittle- ness due to inferior chemical composition or to improper heat treatment. The Carnegie Steel Company, by their new method of rolling, are finishing their rails at a lower temperature than formerly, and getting better results from same sec- tion of rail with steel of same chemical composition. Some years ago investigators who tried to show the relations, in soft steel, between its chemical composition and physical properties, became discouraged and gave the problem up as the results were so conflicting. This is now well understood, and allowances made in the physical requirements for material rolled into different thicknesses, and the finishing temperature is carefully controlled. From the chemical composition of the steel the tensile strength of the finished product is predicted, and the steel rolled into finished product without losing the initial casting temperature. In rails we have exact- liy the same problem before us, but in some respects a more difficult one, owing to the section to be rolled and the higher carbon steel used. I would offer for discussion the points above referred to: 1. The advantages to be gained by using more metal in the flanges and web of the heavier sections of rails. 2. The advantages and disadvantages of using a higher carbon steel than that called for in these specifica- tions. 3. The amount of shrinkage in a 30-foot rail to be de- ternfined and specified as an accurate check on the fin- ishing temperature in rolling. 4. The advisability of making a drop test on each blow of steel. I appreciate that it is not only the finishing temper- ature that must be considered, but that sufficient work must be put on the steel at a low enough temperature to break up the coarse structure and produce the tough steel desired. This is recognized by some who are rolling rails direct from the ingot, and they claim that better re- sults are produced by this method than from reheating the bloom. This might be considered another point for discussion. Se Ne The Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania of Pittsburgh celebrated its twenty-first anniversary with a banquet on the 21st inst., nearly 200 members being present. Among the speakers were Chester B. Albree on “The Commercial and Practical Engineer,” W. M. Me- Farland on “ The Marine Engineer,” and Victor Bentner on “ From Ore Bed to Scrap Heap.” The Acme Machine Screw Company of Hartford, Conn., have been awarded by the Committee on Science and Arts of the Franklin Institute, of Philadelphia, the John Scott Medal for the Acme automatic multiple spindle screw machine. ebruary 25, 190 : The Forbes Electrically Driven Die Stock. The Curtis & Curtis Company of Bridgeport, Conn., have provided their Forbes die stocks with electric mo- tors, as shown in the engraving. The motor is supplied for any desirable voltage, and is so arranged that va- rious speeds can be obtained as desired for the different speeds at which it may be desired to run the machine. The train of gears between the motor and die stock will Wits A «| ik THE FORBES be understood from the cut. The combination will be found convenient for doing outside work in any place where an electric current is available. When the motor is furnished separately from the machine a countershaft is employed. While this method is not so handy when the machine is to be used in different places, it has an advantage for small shops, in that other machinery can be run by the motor when the pipe machine is idle. $$$ The Emlyn Iron Works,—The Emlyn Lron Works, whose main office is in the Western Union Building, Chicago, have made some important additions to their official staff. W. L. Simonton has been made general manager and Charles H. Hawkins general sales agent. Mr. Simonton has had long experienee in the manufac ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN nO! A ; ture of bar iron, having served 12 years in the works of the Brown-Bonnell Iron Company, Youngstown, Ohio and afterward superintendent of the Michigan-Penin- sular Company, at Detroit, superintendent of the Inland Forge & Iron Company, at East Chicago, and district manager of the Republic Iron & Steel Company. Mr. Hawkins was for many years Chicago manager for the Brown-Bonnell [ron Company, winning a very prominent place in the iron trade of the Northwest. He has recent- DIE STOCK, ly been connected with the sales department of the Re- public Iron & Steel Company. These gentlemen are im- portant Emlyn Iron Works, and will secure for the company a much more prominent standing in the iron trade. The company are arranging for extensive additions to their plant at East Chicago, Ind. They have placed contracts for the machinery for an 8-inch bar mill, and as soon as the weather permits installation. will then have a very complete mill, capable of turning out all the sizes required by the merchant iron trade. acquisitions for the will erect the necessary building for its They aS ees The American Bridge Company have received a con- tract for the steel work for the electric power plant, to go to Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia. Notes from Great Britain. A New Development, LonpDoN, February 16, 1901.—I am now in a position to make an announcement with regard to file cutting, which should prove of interest to engineers and all those who use files. The expense of recutting files is always an important item, whether it be for recutting hand made files or purchasing machine made files. There have been many attempts made to cut down this ex- pense, but hitherto without much success. A process that has been practically in the experimental stage for two years is now deemed by a syndicate of prominent busi- THE IRON AGE. * February 28° 1901 Platts of Oldham (who use 4000 files a week), the Mid- land Railway Company and other large concerns are sending their files to be sharpened by this new process. I understand that a syndicate has taken out a license to work the patent in the United States and Canada. This new development is worth watching, although the idea is by no means a new one. Tenders for Bridges—An Interesting Comparison, A return has now been issued giving particulars of the various tenders for the erection of bridges for the Uganda Railway. From the subjoined table it will be seen that the American Bridge Company won with a liberal margin to spare: Total time for delivery. Firms tendering Free on board. Erected. London British Weeks Weeks. £ 8s. d £s Head Wrightson & Co............ mm tinsaadeens 116 15 4 Braithwaite & Kirk ees | a Prerereers 15 0 0 =e Teeside Bridge & Engineering Com- pany..... casas bbes =o os Ae Coe Coe 1810 0 18 2 AAG aaa 108 oove| 1016 9) 28 D Phoenix Foundry Company.... oe Iveee ce 13 17 6 |.... Thames Iron Works......... 60 5 5 0). ( 133 9 18 ¢ Horseley Company.......++00:. 108 133 9 13 6 ‘ 1915 0 191% F. Morton & Co....... gee pied ge, RO ER Cee PEPE TT er ts, Peers Cleveland Bridge & Engineering ee ee ee 104 130 12 6 1512 Jos. Westwood & Co 104 Pea eee evece American Pennsylvania Steel Comp’y. U.S.A is 65 1210 4 Phoenix Bridge Company, U.S.A. BP «= Nideennonsks [need veka etaeeenn American Bridge Company, U.S.A. Pencoyd Iron Company, makers) 16 eseeress Middles- brough. Price per ton, free on board. a sum or travelers. Price per ton erected. Mersey. Glasgow. £ sd £s. d £s. d £s. d £s.d as St PeskebheGwenn 066 as <955000 50000660 | covendecndenns 911 5 O Be OP Takansreeka 08s) losee case ccveenss |0b990050000n00 600 0 0 1812 6 SPU Annéavnbow” 2 evcn leash ebowanee ° 515 0 O 15 9 3 1416 9 sth ie bs oe iM awa eee 1,133 0 0 aS SO (DD legen eees-beebess! -pi00-cccsnnucs 1,334 0 0 ia a. do) aeons . 1,017 14 9 13 1 8 Girdersand hand rail...... } 18 1 3% Corrugated floor dda t ie cocknutits % 1.175 0 0 19 12 6 Trestles and anchor bolts.. \ 1 8&8 O ; ae ake ike sbe den ahertes 10eneeneesaloun Cardiff. 16 2 6 16 2 6 167 6 2112 6 1.000 0 0 No port speci- fied. ( British steel. 1615 6 ) Ebbw Vale steel ee OS leuceeucssweebey ieee kee haw ‘ American steel 16 0 0 \ American port 11 2 7 ea ae = OE: A un didneincs Killindini. si 9 sil Mi 13.18 0 Co price given - 77m add ** actual ‘ ‘ eorece | Oe wee e ewww eens =r veux cost “ of erec- mr . tion plus 10 per ‘tL of erection Any British p't 10 6 O 18 0 0 * This time is for 22 viaducts, as compared with 30 in other tenders. ness men to have proved its claims, and arrangements are now proceeding to put the process on a sound com- mercial footing. The names of the gentlemen who are behind the scheme warrant me in assuming it likely to possess future permanence. They are Mr. Vickers of the Vickers Maxim Company, Sheffield; Mr. Brailsford, chairman of the Ebbw Vale Iron Company; Col. Allen, chairman of Henry Bessemer & Co., Limited, and R. B. Tetley, a well-known figure in Australian mining ven- tures. The process is exceedingly simple. The files to be recut are first scraped with wire brushes to remove all rust and adhering matter, and are then thoroughly washed in soap and water and hot alkali to remove every trace of grease. The files are next dried at steam heat, and the points of the teeth on the sides and edges covered with an acid resisting varnish. This is done by hand labor. The files are then dried until the varnish becomes hard. They are then immersed in suitable acid solutions, graduated to the different sets of the files, and the process continued until the necessary depth of cut is obtained and the points undercut to the requisite degree of sharpness. This takes from 20 minutes to half an hour. The files are next washed, the acid being neutralized by a weak alkaline solution, and again dried at steam heat. The varnish in its turn is removed by a solution, and the files, after being brushed with a '‘mix- ture of black lead and oil, are packed ready for return to the senders. Every kind of file can be treated with equal success. It is claimed that the steel is rather im- proved than otherwise, while the process can be re- peated many times oftener than by the usual recutting process. The temper of the steel is, of course, unaffected —an important advantage. The cost is, however, the chief point. Taking a file of a particular set, the re- cutting of which in Sheffield costs 14 cents, the recut- ting can be done at from 4 to 6 cents. That the new process is believed in by competent authorities is eyi- denced by the fact that the large engineering firm of Concerning Tenders. Apropos of the numerous successful tenders by for- eign manufacturers—American and German—it is inter- esting to note a distinct sign of national chagrin. This feeling has recently found vent in connection with an order given by the Brighton corporation to a German firm for electric cables. In this instance several Brit- ish firms quoted lower prices than their competitor, but one condition was not fulfilled. The electrical engineer advised the Lighting Committee that the non-compliance with this condition was tantamount to making the lowest British tender above that of the Union Company—the successful German contracting firm. The British firms stipulated that the drums on which the cables are wound should be charged for in the first instance, the full amount being allowed if the drums were returned within three months, and a proportionate amount being charged if they were kept for a longer period. The Union Com- pany made no such stipulation and got the contract. The Brighton corporation sealed the contract, believing that the English makers formed themselves into a ring to enforce their own special conditions. The matter is of some importance, because a larger contract for $320,- 000 is pending. Considerable feeling was evinced that the contract should be kept inside the country. As British municipalities are now giving out enormous con- tracts, American tenderers might carefully consider how best to evade the national sentiment. A year ago the Glasgow corporation accepted an American tender..for steel pipes, and a similar outcry was heard. England and the American Steel Combine, The Carnegie-Morgan steel combine has been watched by English steel manufacturers with considerable inter- est and not a little anxiety. The inevitableness of it seems to be the upmost feeling. Sheffield makers do not express much sense of disturbance, because their export trade is almost entirely in crucible steel. The makers of rails in Wales and on the Coast are not so com- February 28, 1901 placent, particularly as it appears likely that the new American régime will attack the European trade. Shef- field, of course, consumes steel billets of softer quality. but not to the extent generally imagined. Meantime, the Sheffield crucible steel trade is doing badly, depression still being prevalent throughout Europe. The falling off in the tonnage in January was serious. German pur- chases fell from 3264 to 1578 tons, Holland’s from 2060 to 168 tons, Norway’s from 1317 to 297 tons, United States’ from 2841 to 594 tons, Canada’s from 2942 to 175 tons. Per contra, the British imports of steel rose from 38067 to 18,663 tons. The State of the Market. Reports from all the iron and steel markets are de- spondent; there seems to be no hope anywhere. The only shaft of light athwart the gloom is the recovery in the prices of Glasgow pig iron warrants. During the past ten days more pig iron has been sold on the Glas- gow Exchange than during the previous three months. One of the largest merchant houses has been freely ad- vising its customers to buy, and an expectation has been aroused that this portends something more than an ordinary market rally, which may mean anything or nothing. Elsewhere everything is stagnant. A striking instance of the reality of the iron and steel slump is now public property, in consequence of the appeal of the Merthyr & Cyfartha Steel Works to the Assessment Committee of the Merthyr District Council for a reduc- tion of their assessment because of bad trade. The evidence tendered by the chairman and manager of the works is sorry reading. It was to the effect that the company had never had to face such a serious time as now; doubts were expressed whether the works would survive; there was no demand for certain classes of iron, and they were stocking heavily in the hope that some day, later on, they could sell at better prices; portions of the works were idle and there was only one mill working, and that on short time; one of the mills had not turned a wheel for months; the fall since September was very great; the prices of raw materials had fallen, but not to the same ratio as prices generally. It was American competition that had brought this about. E. P. Martin, the general manager and a past president of the Iron and Steel Institute, said he did not wish to ex- aggerate, but the immediate future was giving them “most serious anxiety.” Midland prices were quoted yesterday (February 14) as follows: Marked bars, $47; Dudley brand, $50.25; un- marked, $35; North Staffordshire, $38.75; hoop iron, $41.25; nail rod and rivet iron, $40; Bessemer billets, $26.25; best Siemens, $27.25; mild steel bars, $36.25; steel plates, $36.25; steel girders, $33.75; steel angles, $32.25. Broadly, however, it may be said that these prices are a long way above the actual sale prices. Nut bars are selling at $31.75. Indian Iron and Steel Trade, The future importance of India as a great market for Europe and America is now admitted to be more than probable. It is therefore suggestive to read the report on the trading for 1900 of the Bengal Iron & Steel Com- pany. After making due provision for management and sundry charges, a profit is shown of Rs. 609,575, or, say, $200,000. This means a dividend of 10 per cent. The works have been fully employed during the year and the production of pig iron, the manufacture of castings and the raising of coal all show marked improvement on previous years. Large orders for castings are in hand, as also a contract to supply 100,000 tons of pig iron dur- ing 1901. Further installations of molding machines have been added to the foundry plant, and the foundry is claimed to be in such an efficient condition as to be capable of turning out castings equal to the best British manufacture. A report like this is certainly startling to anybody who thinks that India is entirely dependent upon European or American manufacturers. As a market it is neglected by Americans, but Ger- mans are very pushing. The announcement that a sec- ond famine is imminent does not encourage traders, but it cannot be too strongly emphasized that the last Indian famine was largely artificial. It was a money famine more than a natural shortage of food supplies. ss. G. H. THE IRON GE. 7 Reciprocity Treaties. WASHINGTON, D. C., February 25, 1901.—The statement can now be made upon the highest official authority that the administration has decided not to seek the further extension of any of the pending reciprocity treaties un- less the request for an extension comes from the foreign Government with which the convention was negotiated. This decision has been reached after a very careful ex- amination of all the considerations that have been pre- sented for and against the treaties, and in view of all the possibilities of an extra session of Congress, the short special session of the Senate, &c. The conclusion is be lieved to foreshadow the death of all the conventions upon their expiration within the next few weeks. Officials of the State Department, and especially Com- missioner Kasson, who negotiated the conventions, have labored diligently in the effort to remove the objections that have been raised against ratification, but have made little headway. One of the most serious difficulties en- countered has been the fact that many trades have been divided in their views as to the advantages to be gained from the treaties, certain branches opposing the conven- tions, while others favored them. This has been true to a certain extent of the iron and steel trade, for while the majority of manufacturers in this line have favored the French treaty it has been opposed by certain makers of machine tools, dynamos, &c., which were specifically excepted from the concession made to American prod- ucts. The campaign against this treaty especially was organized with much shrewdness by the interests with which it was claimed French competition would be great- ly stimulated by the concessions of the treaty, and great pressure has been brought to bear upon both Houses of Congress to prevent favorable consideration. Thus, in spite of the action of the Foreign Relations Committee in reporting this treaty it has been found to be impossible to secure a vote upon it. A similar fate has overtaken the other treaties, all of which have been opposed by the influence of this com- bination of interests, and to complicate the situation still more the Senate Finance Committee demanded that the treaties should all be referred to that committee in order that a calculation might be made to determine the re duction in revenue that might be expected in the event of ratification. As stated in The Iron Age a fortnight ago, the prospect of an extra session of Congress proved a ray of hope to administration officials. For a time it was thought that in view of the opportunity that would thus be afforded to consider the treaties during the coming spring and again next winter, and because of numerous important changes of personnel in both Houses, it would be well to secure a new lease of life for the conventions in the hope that the French treaty at least would be ratified. The necessity of increasing our foreign markets, of which the State Department has been constantly admonished of late by the representatives of large interests, also in- duced the officials to take a more hopeful view of the situation with regard to the treaties. Within the past few days, however, several incidents have occurred to upset these calculations and to force the conclusion that the President cannot, without com- promising the dignity of the administration, afford to take the initiative in seeking further extensions. Act- ing upon the advice of prominent majority leaders in both Houses the President has practically decided that if an extra session is to be held it will be called to act upon certain specified measures, and while it is improb- able that the scope of operations could be so restricted, yet the administration would not feel justified in urging the ratification of the treaties at a session to be sum- moned for other purposes. The uncertainty with regard to the passage of the war revenue reduction bill has also complicated the situation, because in view of the un- precedentedly large appropriations made at the present session it is a grave question whether any further de pletion of the revenue could be permitted, should the pending reduction bill become a law. Perhaps the most discouraging recent development, from the administration's point of view, has been the ae Me Kar ae peetaane | * oan 8 tivity of the Home Market Club of Boston in attacking the reciprocity policy in general and the pending treaties in particular. The State Department officials were con- fident that the opposition of American industries had been removed by Commissioner Kasson’s arguments be- fore the Foreign Relations Committee, yet in a letter re- cently addressed to Mz. Kasson and signed by Chas. A. Stott, Frank W. Cheney and Chas. H. Hutchins, the French treaty in particular is assailed on the ground that it will furnish an opportunity for foreign competition that American manufacturers cannot withstand. Commenting upon these statements Commissioner Kasson Geclares with much emphasis that it is not prac- ticable to negotiate reciprocity treaties that shall contain no concessions on the part of the United States except as to goods not produced in the United States, and that if this view of the principle of reciprocity is to be main- tained the further discussion of the pending treaties, or the negotiation of other treaties, must be a waste of time. For these reasons the administration will make no further effort to extend tbe treaties. They will all expire within the coming three months, the French treaty on March 24. It is assumed that whether an extra ses