The Iron Age 1915-03-25: Vol 95 Iss 12

DPOEDDEDEVEDEVEADOEUALADADAUDOUEDALAEALEDE GURU AOE EA EOE TAEDA ATO 1 UU LiNdOUAUUEAUON EN EEYE THE | LUTTE TEVLULEEE OU APEEOTEEUAEDED TUDOR EEE Established 1855 New York, March 25, 1915 Vol. 95: No. 12 SLPULEUOUDDRQUAEOUDUTROOUDERCOOGRORORDOOORDUGRAGORROO ORDO ORES Drawing Smaller Sizes of Brass Tubing’ New Mill of the National Company, Water- bury, Conn.—Wood Burning Muffle Fur- nace Details of an Interesting Process The manufacture of brass, copper and German The building is of modern construction, fire silver tubing in the smaller sizes has come to be in proof, of brick, steel and concrete. Ribbed glass recent years an industry by itself. The large mills windows, set in steel and concrete, occupy the have never cared for this branch of the business, greater part of the wall space. The structure is but are glad to turn it over to those who make a 70x 100ft. Its interior is one spacious, lofty room, specialty of it and have them as customers for the the only subdivision of space being at one corner, standard pipe sizes which constitute their raw ma- where the office is partitioned off by corrugated terial As a consequence several small tube mills iron walls and steel ceiling. No columns break up have been established in the Naugatuck Valley, in the area. The cement floor is covered by heavy Connecticut, the center of the American brass in-~ plank and maple flooring, excepting in the vicinity ral View Showing the Battery of Drawbenches, the Large Glass Area, the Office in the Corner, Which Is the Division of Space in the Plant and the Stock Trucks dustry, and in some other places where the finished of the muffle furnace, where brick is substituted aterial is cut up and worked into a multitude of The equipment consists of drawbenches, a purposes, The latest of these plants is that of the muffle furnace, swaging and straightening machines National Company, Waterbury, Conn., a recently and cutting-off machines. The raw material com established corporation. The mill is located about monly used is 2-in. tubing from the mills which, in wo miles from the center of the city, between it their turn, are the company’s customers for its the suburb of Oakville, on the line of the Water- scrap. Incidentally it may be stated that this is branch of the Naugatuck division of the New one of the reasons that no aluminum tubing York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. Its neigh- drawn in this plant, for where that metal is present s the Waterbury Rolling Mills. in a tube mill, scrap possesses less value, because of 661 4 Corner of the Shop, Showing the the unfortunate results which follow the accidental addition of aluminum to a brass mixture. From the original tubing the metal is drawn down step by step, the company’s product having as limits 1144 in. and No. 0. Sizes are by outside diam- eters, gauges by thickness of walls. The tube is annealed in the muffle furnace and swaged to per- mit the entrance of its end into the die of the draw- bench and through it far enough so that it can be seized by the tongs. The die determines the out- side diameter and the plug the inner diameter. The difference is the gauge. The plug is fixed to the end of a triblet, so-called, which is a rod long enough so that the plug can be thrust through the The Muffle Furnace Which Anneals the Tubing after Each Drawing. THE IRON AGE March 25 a ‘ — wi 2 pr, —_a— = ANS Sn | a yo _ ae \ Swaging and Straightening Machines tube to the die end. The tongs, mounted on a car- riage on the drawbench, are brought to the work by an operator and seize the swaged end. The hook of the tongs is dropped into the chain, which is running constantly, and the pull tightens the grip with the action of powerful toggle joints, the greater the power the stronger the grip. The tube passes through the die and over the plug. The difference in the two diameters may be large or small. In the case of some tubing used in aut mobile radiators the difference is so slight in the final drawings that a paper-like thinness results For some other purposes the hole is very small as compared with the diameter. The small tubing bus The Wood Used for Fuel Can Be Seen Piled up at * Left March 25, 1915 prises a wide variety of specifications from stomers in these respects. the end of each drawing the tubing is given h annealing and as it is extended it is sawed gths for convenient handling. Sections of the end. a few inches long are also cut off at intervals, because of a tendency, beyond control, to uneven- ne f form and gauge at their points. The tube must also go to a swaging machine before the next drawing. In the very small sizes no plug can be used in the final operations; the die determines both diameters. So the process goes on—annealing, swaging, drawing, cutting off—a few gauges at a (he muffle furnace was built from the company’s own designs, but is of the standard wood burning type, with a firebox at each side and flues to give a complete circulation of the heat under as well as over the metal. The drawbenches in the National Company’s works are of the latest type developed by the Water- bury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company, Water- bury. The three sizes have pulling capacities re- spectively of 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 lb. on the The drive is compact and self-contained and ncludes an outboard bearing on the sprocket shaft, which serves to preserve the alignment of the main gears during the life of the machine. The main pinion is between the shaft bearings instead of being overhung. The wheeled tongs greatly reduce the fatigue of the operator and increase the speed f his return to the die end of the bench—which is a hand operation—as compared with the old type of sliding tongs. The chain and other parts of the bench have been strengthened and otherwise im- proved, cnaln. Direct Reading Time Study Watch A time study watch is illustrated herewith, the dial of which shows the usual decimal divisions of the minute, and in addition displays figures which indicate the computed outputs per hour obtainable from single operations performed in the respec tive intervals of time marked by the corresponding graduations. Where the single operation occupies an interval too small to be easily observed, ten suc- cessive operations may be timed and the corre- sponding output per hour is the dial reading multi- plied by ten. The watch also provides the “take out time” feature, the starting and stopping of the watch being controlled by the slide shown at the A New Time Study Watch THE IRON AGE 663 left of the stem while the “set back” is stem actuated. It is thus possible to read directly from the dial, without computation, the net output per hour on any job regardless of the number or dura- tion of interruptions. The watch is being mar- keted by M. J. Silverberg, engineer, Peoples Gas Building, Chicago. Feeding Attachment for Swaging Machine For feeding long pieces of tubing or rod to a rotary swaging machine the Standard Machinery Company, Elmwood Station, Providence, R. I., has developed a special attachment. This will enable any particular portion of the bar, which may be of steel, brass, copper or iron, to be swaged; or if de- sired the size of the bar can be reduced throughout its entire length. Among the uses to which this attachment can be put in addition to the reduction of tubing are the swaging of special steel forms, such as trolley poles, automobile axles and other articles made from steel tubing. The attachment is made for use in connection with three sizes of the company’s swaging machines, and in the accom- panying illustration is shown attached to the No. 3 machine for handling stock up to a maximum diam- eter of 154 in. The other machines that can be Attachment A Feeding-In veloped for Use in Connection with a chine for Reducing the Entire Length of a Tube or Rod of Steel, Copper or Iron, or Swaging any Particular Portion That Has Recently Been De- Rotary Swaging Ma- supplied with attachments are the No. 4, handling stock 21 in. and smaller in diameter, and the No. 5, which accommodates stock having a maximum diam- eter of 4 in. The attachment is bolted to the front of the machine and supported by a pipe stand. A bracket made from a steel casting is attached to the front portion of the spindle, and the two lower bushings on this bracket ride along the two rods that are bolted to the front of the machine. These are relied upon to serve as a guide for the spindle, as well as assisting to support it and keep it in align- ment. The rear portion of the attachment consists of another steel casting which has a bronze bearing, in which the spindle rides. The large spanner wheel at the right feeds the spindle of the attachment in, while the wheel in the center of the illustration on the spindle operates over a spring collet, having a conical nose. The bar is put through from the rear of the spindle, which is shown at the extreme right, and is clamped tightly by the chuck on the opposite end of the spindle that is controlled by the spanner. The large spanner wheel controls the movement of the spindle through a pinion which meshes with teeth that are cut on the under side of the spindle. ussia from the Point of View of an An Illuminating Study Written for The | ot Personal Association with Business Men and ARDLY anything has been written on Russia in the past few years that the printed title has not been followed by the qualifying phrase, “The Land of Great Pos- sibilities.” So vast are the possibilities that they arouse the interest of those looking to broaden their markets, to introduce their inventions or to investigate developable properties, and yet in America the question is asked, ““‘Why is it none of the possibilities seem to materialize or to proceed CAPT. D. L. HOUGH even to the experimental stage?” Russia is a long way off, hence, oftentimes matters up for discussion are dropped without even a visit to that country. Again those Americans who pay visits there rarely speak any other than their own language, and this makes it difficult for them to pursue their investigations without the employment of some guide, who being unfamiliar with their purposes or having some personal interest to promote will bring them in contact with people without the acquaintance or ability to help. This results in confusion and causes discouragement. The man who goes to Russia to make investigations and allows for these but a week or two will get the views of but one man or one group and often will get quite a wrong understanding. The country. is so tremen- dous and interests are so many and differ so widely that one can only obtain a thorough and rational understanding by devoting many months to the investi- gation. Having secured information in many direc- tions, he must weigh it all and determine on his own procedure. EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN SUCCESS IN RUSSIA This may be said, however, that wherever Americans have actually undertaken to carry on the business of manufacturing or the development of properties in Russia and have failed, it has been because of bad management. There are several examples of this that need not be discussed; on the other hand, there are some notable examples of the success made by Amer icans in Russia and these may be cited. The Singer Sewing Machine Company is probably doing more business in Russia than in many other countries put together. Its manufacturing plant nea1 Moscow is a thoroughly up-to-date establishment. The International Harvester Company has taken hold of the business in the right way and its success is well known. The New York Life Insurance Company is doing a business that must be wholly satisfactory. The typewriter makers, notably the Underwood, are doing a tremendous business and one of the most recent successes has been made by the Walk-Over Shoe Company. EVER-IMPORTANT MATTER OF BUSINESS MANNERS In all of the above cases the success is due to the abilities and also to the personality of the managers. Russia is a one-man country. Nowhere in the world has the personality of the leading man so much bearing on the success of a company as in Russia, for in Russia much consideration is given to one’s attitude towards one’s fellow man. Brusqueness is quickly resented and the Russian does not permit himself, on the other hand, to be out- done in courtesy. It may be said that this is not a 664 - \o “AY consideration that should be brought into a bu discussion; perhaps because it was not explained some undertakings have failed. The Russian is human just as we are and criticism as little. Americans, particularly thos have not traveled extensively outside the limits of | own country, are often imbued with the idea America is the only country on earth and that methods and manners are those only worth conside Knowing nothing of the origin of the customs, or th traditions that make them logical, they are unwi to give time to their study, and it is often this lac understanding of the way people have been br up to think as much as lack of understanding of language that causes them to depreciate the country they are visiting and to be a little too aggressiv: “boosting” Yankee methods and manners. Just as soon as criticism is started one might as well withdraw from Russia and for that matter fron any other country. A Russian would waste his time attempting to reform America and the converse of this proposition is equally true. SKEPTICISM OF AMERICAN SINCERITY EXPLAINED There is another reason why things have not gone right. A man going over to Russia becomes enthusi- astic about conditions. Seized with the absolute cer- tainty of the success of some proposed venture, he gets carried away a little with his own confidence, and it is only to be expected that he will sometimes overstep in his assertions as to what he believes his supporters or his principals at home will do. He leaves the impres- sion in Russia that great things will follow. When he gets home he finds that his principals vr backers, not having been in Russia to see the promise of the situ- ation and having other matters in their minds while he has but the one, are likely not to be stampeded into immediate action. The result is matters drag and ver) often are dropped. This very thing having happened on various occa sions has somewhat shaken the confidence of Russians in the sincerity of our countrymen. The expression, “Acadia for Acadians” is a popu lar one in all countries. “Russia for Russians” is the war-cry of the Nationalist party of Russia, and it is one that is very popular with the people. This feeling is not confined to Russia, for we have a notable example of one of our most talented countrymen cre- ating some excitement when he accepted an important post in England. Russians do not like to feel that the country is being exploited for the benefit of aliens, |! they do not object to having aliens develop the count for the benefit of Russia or that such aliens receive just reward. It is preferable, therefore, for the Ame! ican to ally himself with Russians more in the spirit of adviser and co-operator than as an independent operator, if success is to follow. WHY AN AMERICAN-RUSSIAN BANK IS NEEDED Americans desiring to establish a business in Russia or to develop its resources should, wherever possible, be prepared to use their own money. One of the chie! reasons why it would be profitable for Americans to establish a banking house in Russia is that while there are many banks and very large and active ones, th amount of money and the number of banks available are wholly inadequate to take care of the business offered. This fact has caused delay and sometimes has discouraged the Americans. The Russian bankers are so busy and have so many things presented to them that they have not the time to give them continued or, perhaps it would be better to say, sustained attentio! The matter before their minds is the one that receives attention. If for any reason there is delay in making investigation or in putting the matter through the e American Engineer and Business Man David L. Hough, Who With Some Years channels, other matters come up and it is to regain the attention of the bankers. The cannot be blamed, for nearly everything pre- worthy of being undertaken, and the lack of take care of all of them results in many good being shelved. s remarkable how little Americans know about It is the least visited of the European coun- although the number of tourists has been con- bly increasing in recent years. In fact, over self-called “refugees” assembled in the first days e war in Petrograd, in order to be near and secure rotection of the embassy, and one may be pardoned saying, here, that none of these people suffered hardship whatever except those imposed upon selves by themselves and such as were the fruits eir own imagination. THE SMALL BUT GROWING MIDDLE Russia lacks a great middle-class such as is the rength of all civilized countries, but its upper class perhaps better instructed and in its social relations its customs is quite as exquisite if not more so any other country; its court is the most stately the world. The great lower class might be compared to what the English call the masses. It is more rugged, healthier far less vicious than that of any other country, this is said without the possibility of contradic- tion. In the larger cities, however, a healthy middle- ass is fast developing. The lack of education among the masses may be in part responsible for the scarcity of material out of hich skilled labor may be trained. In these days of \utomatic machinery, this is less of an obstacle in the development of manufactures; while for all physical ibor of the common type, the Russian is equal to and erhaps better than any other race. CLASS WHY THE DELAYS IN PLACING CONTRACTS The government of Russia has been and largely is of the parental type. Of the civilized nations it is re single headed than any other. It is not the in- tention in these studies to discuss the government or governmental matters and the reference is made here y to bring out a condition that has been remarked iring the recent activities in connection with “war One man cannot do everything; all things but the important must be delegated, but delegated in h a way that control is not lost, and Russia has ed this out rather well. Naturally this is most essfully done through the appointment of com- ssions so that the public welfare may not be subject 0 individual preference or the state of health of one Russia is largely managed by committees, commis- and councils. There must be executive men who and formulate information that is submitted to ‘ommission, and, as is always the case, consider- must await the sitting of the committee and the n of this committee must be ratified usually by higher council with fixed days of assembling and i fixed programme before its each meeting. Refer- made to this not in a spirit of criticism, but in irit of explanation as to why it is that there is iderable delay after a price has been made upon e commodity before the order is placed. is quite natural that where there are several there should be several opinions and that in a ting of a council called on to ratify the recommen- n of a committee some member should conceive ‘expedient that to the other members of the council worth while. Hence, final disposition or the ig of the order is held up until this suggestion 665 . C yi ent Officials, Gives Little Understood Facts may be passed back to the committee, from the com mittee to the executive mem ber and thence to the supply people. All this takes time. One grows accustomed to this after some in Russia and gets to be- lieve that perhaps in the end the best result is obtained for the welfare of the peo ple, in that every possibility has been canvassed. We Americans, accus- tomed to do business quickly and who believe that it may be better to do something and get it done even if it be a little and grow impatient under these conditions, but Russia has existed a good many centuries and has built up wonderful cities and most highly developed manufac turing plants and transportation systems and has done it successfully with ever-accumulating wealth in this, their experience wrong, often chafe own way. In our relations with Russia, we want to sell ou products or our experience or our effort. There is little produced in Russia that we need, but there is much produced in America that we believe Russia needs and even Russia herself, perhaps, believes she needs. Anyway we want to sell to Russia, and it is an axiom too trite to repeat that the successful merchant is the one who puts on his counters what his customers want to buy; therefore, it would seem that if we want to have the markets of Russia open to us, we must try to accommodate ourselves not only to what that market demands and the way it wants it but to its way of doing business. It was in ways itself to its well as to its accommodat ing cus tomers’ of doing business as customers’ wants that Germany was conquering the world com mercially, and that has made it so suicidal for her to attempt to conquer by force of arms. FACING THE DOCTRINE “RUSSIA FOR RUSSIANS” teturning for a moment to the doctrine, “Russia fo1 Russians,” one finds resolutions passed by many ad ministrative bodies that nothing shall be purchased except it be made in Russia, if securable in Russia. Practically no concessions have been granted except with a clause to this effect, but the demand is so much greater than the local supply that much of material and manufactures has had to be purchased abroad and most of this has been purchased in Germany. The writer has not before him the Russian Book of the last year of record, 1912, and carry stastistics in mind, but the imports into Russia made direct have amounted to a considerable numbe1 of millions of dollars. The largest item in this has naturally been cotton, next to this agricultural ma chinery and following this machine tools, including not in small measure mining machinery; but there has been imported into Russia by way of Germany some two and one-half times as much as the direct importations from the United States. This has been due to the fact that the Germans were ready to pay cash on the documents in New York and to extend credit in Russia where their credit information is well developed. Year does not THE PENDING RAILROAD EXTENSIONS The works for the production of railway supplies are probably the best and most largely developed, but even these are inadequate. Last year the Government, pro- posing to limit the manufacture and sale of vodka, was turning to the development of facilities for storing and exporting grain—but this is a story in itself. Asa te ore - a 2a “Sew 5 666 THE IRON AGE part of this, however, they were extending their rail- ways. The programme for extensions and new con- structions, necessitating additional equipment, was such that in spite of great opposition it had been practically determined before the war that a certain number of locomotives at least woald be purchased abroad, pro- vided they could be purchased upon suitable terms; and they wanted some examples of American make. At this time, Western Europe and American railroad supply people were urged to establish plants in Russia and this is really the best way for Americans to take advantage of the prospective business. To profit by its argicultural activities its trans- portation facilities must be adequate, and this means activities in all sorts of lines. The peasants of Russia are particularly fitted for agricultural pursuits. The advances made have been marvelous, not only since the freeing of the serfs, about 1850, but since 1905, when the Government purchased the land from the princely American visitors without knowledge of the language get wrong impressions. American principals with numerous prob- lems do not absorb enthusiasm of repre- sentatives. American business will not prosper if not undertaken to bolster Russian enterprise. American banking has an opportunity be- cause Russian facilities cannot cope with demand. American machine tool factories ought to locate plants in Russia, as home products are bought first. American manufacturers ought at least have. Russian sales offices or a technical trading company as sole agent. holders on an installment basis and in turn sold it to the peasants on the same plan, leading the peasant to take an interest in his dwelling place and in his land. Under the previous communal system he drew lots for his home and his land once in ten years and there was little incentive for investment in betterments. This same development is going to demand an in- crease in the merchant marine. One, of course, cannot say as yet, no matter what one hopes, what the effect of the present war in limiting marine armament may be, but one thing is certain, that there is to be great necessity for, with resulting activity in the construc- tion of, merchant vessels in Russia. CHANCE FOR MACHINE TOOL PLANTS IN RUSSIA There are practically no machine tool makers and only one pneumatic tool making concern in Russia. Those concerns that establish plants in Russia will naturally receive the surplus business before it is pur- chased abroad. The reasons for this are too obvious to need mention, but it may be interesting to say that in a recent investigation made by the writer of the costs of manufacturing certain equipment in Russia which he had the opportunity to compare to the costs of manufacture of the same product in the best mills of America, he found a remarkable equality; in fact, the cost of production of a unit in Russia was often less than 5 per cent. different from the cost of produc- ing that unit in America, and the Russians have not the labor-saving machinery that is in use in America. This means that with an American plant at the lower cost of Russian labor the American type of works could easily meet competition. Another interesting item was that the profit added by the Russians was consid- erably higher than that expected by the American manufacturer. March 25. F When equipment is to be purchased by a | railroad the costs of transportation and duty cally prohibit importation. However, in case equipment famine and an immediate necessity, « one might rightly imagine will exist at the ¢| the war (during which much equipment has ly stroyed and worn out by use when there was no « tunity for repair), it is probable that some tem; concessions in duty will be made. Naturally no going to consider for a moment the establishnm: works in Russia while the war continues, but could be no more profitable employment of capita! the establishment of works in Russia. It must be wu; stood that a certain number of leading men and a tain number of operatives for instruction and pace setting purposes must be brought to the works [ America to form the nucleus of the organization. Prior to the war it would have been possibk any enterprising American concern desiring to establish a plant in Russia to secure perhaps half of its capital there. It is possible that after the war it may be neces- sary for the countries engaged therein to use al] their capital for reconstruction purposes; therefore, one should contemplate furnishing the entire capital one’s self. It is important that the undertaking be made Russian and to this end there should be associated with it enough Russian directors to give it an appropriate complexion. Anyone proposing to follow out this plan would be received with open arms and given every consideration and support by the Government. WHY AMERICAN MACHINERY WILL BE BOUGHT It will take perhaps a year to construct a plant and to transport and install equipment and perhaps it will take another year to instruct workmen to bring such a plant to normal efficiency. During the period directly after the war it will doubtless be impossible to await the passing of these years and much of American pro- duction of every sort must be purchased because of the fact that other countries, excepting England, will be busy themselves reconstructing and England will be helping those other countries as well as Russia to reconstruct. There is no question whatever that Germany will be shut out of Russia for some years to come. How many largely depends on what Germany does. With her enterprise, her readiness to meet the conditions of her market, it is quite probable that in due time it will become a matter of expediency rather than of re- sentment and the Germans will re-enter the market. This is one reason why America should act quickly in preparing herself to take advantage of the next few years to ship its home products and at the same time to establish its works and consequent good will so as to forestall the necessity or the possibility of having to meet German competition. RUSSIA NOT A GREAT MINING COUNTRY A word about Russia in general. Much time and large expense has been devoted to the investigation of its mineral possibilities. Russia is not, primarily, @ mineral country. Such ore bodies as are now being exploited are low grade properties. There are some notable examples of great successes such as the Kish- tim and the Lena gold fields, and a new property down in the Altai district has just been opened that gives promise of being at least equal to the other two. There is coal in large quantities in the Donetz basin. This coal is as yet hardly touched. There is coal also in Siberia. In the vicinity of Irkutsk there are twelve small mines. These are not being operated with full satisfaction because of excessive competition. There is an opportunity for a combination of these mines, re- ducing costs of production and eliminating the murder- ous competition, but this is a thing that ought to be handled by the Russians themselves and probably wil! be some day. There is iron in Siberia and in the Ural Mountains and elsewhere, but Russia is not and never will be a great mining country. For this reason its chief activity may not be manufacturing as it is in Germany. But Russia is the greatest agricultural country in the world, March 25, 1915 hen one says Russia one, of course, includes 3 _ where the most fertile of virgin soil has never ' ratched. While we have it in our minds as a country, it is really quite similar to the Can- provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, with -sibility that it is even more fertile. THE GIVING OF CREDITS an earlier paragraph the subject of credit has uched upon; Russians are accustomed to receiv- edit from their own producers and from other ies, particularly Germany. The whole structure siness is built up on credit. If it were possible -s a law that would affect the whole world, as restricting the sale of vodka became effective in Russia, and this law called upon all to pay cash at the int of production, it is possible, but only possible, ‘hat business might go on with equal facility and far er satisfaction; but it is a part of competition to redit. It is also just possible that the latitude isiness would otherwise be materially restricted. Many able, enterprising concerns are now doing a good isiness in distributing the product of a manufacturer vho has not the capital to do business except on a credit Anyway, this great change is not going to take and if the United States wants to get into the in market it will be expedient to arrange some ' give credit. [he writer has on one or two occasions been criti- for advocating that the American manufacturer redit and has been told that he would make him- inpopular and possibly be charged with being a tle too enthusiastic if he preached this doctrine while this country. But Americans give credit in their wn country, why should they not abroad? The answer promptly, “What standing have we in foreign ourts?” Times are changing; not long ago a Yankee vould have had a poor show in Dixieland. The writer has heard of a few occasions when Americans have not been treated well in Russia and he has with such care as possible invesigated these incidents. He has found n every case that there has been something for which the American could be held responsible. It goes back to the statement that the writer has often made that one lives and travels in Russia with greater security, with less annoyance and with more painstaking care for his comfort than in any other intry of the world so long as he does not set things motion or arouse suspicion by breaking some rule. He has lived in Russia for the greater part of the last four years and has never had the slightest annoyance of any kind whatever. This was because he has been areful to fulfill all the regulations. He was there, however, in 1895 and neglected to have his passport séd to leave the country. With a companion he tried plead his way across the border but it was of no ise; he was subjected to considerable inconvenience and eld under guard until the officer who should have vised his passport was communicated with; and when what he should have had done was done, he was with the greatest courtesy speeded on his way. So it is ilwavyvs, Merchandise, perhaps manufactures, of generally good character have been found to have some fault; and when once the machinery is set in motion in a country where the procedure is that outlined above, there are ind to be delays, and the American struggling to make things move faster sometimes makes them move siower, The Russian character is amiable and honest; one ets with no more craftiness in Russia than he does other countries. The writer has been actively en- gaged in business in Russia for four years and has ut two unfortunate experiences and in both cases Ss a man carrying an American passport that im- ed the misfortune. "he representative of one of America’s largest in- trial establishments makes the statement that his doing a credit business in Russia for the last ‘wenty years have been less than 2 per cent., and it is iotful whether there are any manufacturers in America who use so small a percentage in figuring their to cover bad debts. THE IRON AGE 667 Naturally, there are bad men in Russia as there are in America and one must investigate the purchaser who asks credit, and, therefore, America should have in Russia a credit concern whose complexion is American and whose loyalty to Americans will be unquestioned. An American-Russian bank is the solution. THE MATTER OF WAR ORDERS Throughout the above the rational legitimate busi- ness that is coming after the war has been in mind. It would be light-minded to consider for one moment the taking of what are known as “war orders” except upon a cash basis and for dollars paid in America. At the present moment there is no established rate of ex- change between the ruble and the dollar. No private concern or bank can establish a rate of exchange at times when the balance of trade is disturbed. This must be done empirically by the Russian Government itself, as on those purchases already made. Russian protection comprehends no buy- ing if needs can be met. at home. Russian railroad and ship building will take American products because home supply will long be inadequate. Russian purchasing is through commis- sions, which have worked well. even if slow in decision. Russian labor, rugged and healthy, is available for the automatic machinery of modern manufacturing. Russian business is based on credit and this has proved no risk in cases of Amer- ican producers. Russian boycott on American goods does not exist, but treaty questions may be left alone. In some ways war orders are unattractive. Naturally, they involve large sums with commensurate profits and commissions, but under the present pro- cedure, which is more or less of an outgrowth of un- usual conditions, perhaps not altogether understood, the securing of a war order is wholly a matter of fortuity; the right man being at the right spot at the right moment with the right price and the right materia). One can well understand that any government with the vital interests that are now at stake would not wish to be laid open to the criticism of showing favoritism or of being influenced. Therefore, anyone who asks for a memorandum of requirements and specifications is naturally given them. This means that a multitude of people have the same inquiry. This inquiry is shopped around broadcast and producers may naturally believe that the aggregate of the inquiries is the measure of demand rather than that the amount of the individual inquiry is the total of the demand. As a consequence, a fictitious demand beyond the supply seeming to have been created, prices have gone up. Prices are given to each inquirer with the result that these self-appointed middle-men are in competition with one another, be wildering the purchaser and forcing him to sift them out, feeling, as he naturally does, that lower prices than those quoted can be obtained. To avoid competing against one’s self, the producer should confine prices to one inquirer and refer all others to that one. The difficulty is to determine to which one shall be given the price. Each self-appointed middle- man feels that he is the elected one and in his enthusi- asm very naturally exaggerates a little, which in the beginning causes confusion and in the end distrust of all. To correct this trouble the War Office in England has issued a proclamation that it will treat only with those who present unquestionable credentials that they are the sole authorized representative of the manufac- 668 THE IRON AGE March 25. {9}; turer. There are reasons perhaps why this can be done in England with less suspicion attaching to the officia!s than in some other countries. This is said positiveiy; today there is as little ground for suspicion in the country under discussion as in any other country. The president of one of the largest corporations in America, realizing the situation, is now sending his own men, one to each of the countries at war. He can well afford to do this because his prospective business is large. There are others for whom proportionately an equal percentage of business is in prospect in Russia who might not feel like going to the expense of sending a man. This is not necessary, but they should select some local representative and confine their quotations to him only. There is certainly more than one reput- able, trustworthy and capable agency concern in Russia. IN TIMES OF WAR, PREPARE FOR PEACE While it is true war orders are not attractive except in their possibilities of earnings, which make it worth while to spend some time on them, now is the time to prepare for the business after the war. The old adage may be reversed; in this case being made to read, “In times of war, prepare for peace.” To sum up the situation, the writer’s first recom- mendation to American business men is to establish plants in Russia. A noteworthy incident of this sort may be told. A skilled mechanic was sent to Petrograd to put into operation a plant manufactured by an Amer- ican concern. Though a skilled mechanic, the man had organization and financial sense. He saw the oppor- tunities in Russia and got the people for whom he was working to introduce him to a banker. This banker agreed to lend him the money to put up a small plant. He started this ten years ago and it has grown to such proportions that from his half interest in this under- taking last year he paid his living expenses and laid away $46,000, and for the last three years his original employer in America has been using every effort to try to secure the control of the Russian plant. The second recommendation is that where the busi- ness prospect does not justify the establishment of a plant, some sales organization should be established, which must have also the ability to follow up the in- stallation and operation of the product sold so that satisfaction may be assured. The third recommendation is that neither of the foregoing being justified, then some technical trading company should be appointed as agent, to be treated fairly by the refusal to quote to any other concern. TREATY RELATIONS It may not be improper to refer briefly to the treaty relations between Russia and America. The question is often asked, “What is the feeling in Russia toward America?” At the time of the abrogation of the treaty, serious resentment was felt. In time, however, it be- gan to be understood just why the treaty was abrogated and what brought it about. Doctor Von Egert, at one time a leader of the Na- tionalist party, a man who has traveled much in America, is fond of Americans and admires the country, gave his attention to the study of the circumstances with the thoroughness and pains that are characteristic of the Russian. As a result, he issued a brochure based upon official documents and newspaper editorials, not news stories. This helped the Russians to a better understanding and it is interesting to note that it is felt that President Taft’s action avoided an embarras- sing possibility in the most tactful way and that Mr. Taft is held in high esteem. The Russian mind does not harbor ill feeling; while perhaps quickly resentful, resentment wears down. It is felt that a discourtesy was shown Russia and a mis- take was made in abrogating the treaty, which bor: one clause which was in the treaty with no other country, and which perhaps we will never again secure, one that the diplomatic representatives of other coun- tries had been trying for years to get. Our trade relations are precisely those that existed before the treaty was abrogated. That they are such is due to the good nature of Russian officials and to no small extent because of the fitting diplomacy exhibited by our Ambassador resident in Petrograd during the 2 period when the “modus vivendi” was arrang haps the term “modus vivendi” is wrongly use: no actual understanding has been agreed matters have been allowed to continue as fa) is concerned precisely as they existed under t} There is no boycott on American goods. Th: likes our manufactures. He considers the prac in America perhaps more highly developed th: other country, and, like every other nation, they buy the best at the lowest price or where the ba price and quality gives the best value. Where | ernment is buying, the question is natural “Why should we buy from America when tl] been ‘rude’ to us?” Government purchases ha and probably will be made in other countries w possible. This will be accentuated by their « show reciprocity to their allies, but when the advantag of buying in America justifies it, the Government wij) place orders here regardless of treaty conditions As a nation, they think we showed bad manners the treaty matter, but they accept the individual Amer; can on his own qualifications. As an individual he js j the same position as the individual of any other nation. ality. They have grown to understand the circumstances surrounding the abrogation of the treaty, and any feel. ing that may have existed has become softened; in fact, the treaty abrogation is given little thought, and naturally less thought since the war began. It is question whether it is necessary or even advisable + discuss a new treaty at this time unless it contains clauses whereunder the government may aid in credit extension, in which case the present is the psychological] moment. As far as the treatment of Americans in Russia is concerned or of Russians in America, a treaty would not benefit. Things are good enough as they are, and per- haps as soon as the question of a new treaty is taken up it might necessitate the discussion of troublesome topics. Some day, no doubt, a treaty will be made. Per- haps this treaty will be made at the time the new treaties between all the countries must be arranged at the close of the war. These treaties, it is to be hoped, will contain some modern clauses that may largely eliminate the possibilities of war with its demoralization of commerce. They should contain others for the benefit of international business relations in arranging for some international tribunal, above the suggestion of bias, to which business men of one country may refer their misunderstandings with business men of another. The world is at present so closely knit together that some world Supreme Court is necessary. Nothing could perhaps so well inspire confidence, without which com merce proceeds haltingly. This might be the best foundation upon which to build up credit extension. Status of Electric Smelting of Iron Ores That the electric furnace has been successful in th smelting of iron ores in districts where the conditions are favorable, as shown by the fact that 10 furnaces of the Swedish type, with a total capacity of 22,000 kw, have been erected in Sweden, Norway and Switzerland, is the view of Dorsey A. Lyon and Robert M. Keeney Bulletin 77 of the Bureau of Mines, “The Electric Fur- nace in Metallurgical Work.” In the United States on iron plant of two electric furnaces with a total capacity of 5000 kw is in operation at Heroult, Cal. The type 0 furnace used in California is different from that used it Sweden, owing to the fact that a different grade of iro is desired. In Sweden a metal is produced that is low in silicon and carbon and particularly well suited t steel making, whereas in California the demand is for a soft gray foundry iron. The advantages of the Swedish metal are said to be: Convertible into steel with greater facility an¢ lower cost. Greater economy in power consumption and in r* ducing material. ; Carbon content can be controlled within a limit ©! 2.20 per cent. maximum. Losses in the slag will not exceed reasonable limits. 6 per cent. FeO. Marc) 25, 1915 ichment for Drilling Small Pieces producing small pieces rapidly in an upright machine the Cincinnati Pulley Machinery , Covington, Ky., has brought out two spe- ires. One of these is intended for the pro- of malleable iron grease cup bodies at the 12,000 pieces per 10-hr. day, while the other for drilling the brass timing fuse plugs for el cases. In the fuse plugs three No. 55 which are 0.052 in. in diameter, are equally around the dome of the plug at an angle with iter line, which brings the holes almost to- vether on the inside. It is pointed out that for this only one hole can be drilled at a time and the yurchaser of the machine, which is of the builder’s ir No. % Avey column type with a foot e, specified a minimum production of 7000 in 10 hr. with one spindle. In a shop test of ture it was found that the minimum require- Recently Developed Drilling Machine Attachn ine for Drilling Malleable Iron Grease Cup Bodies, of Timing Fuse Plugs for Shrapnel Cases Having T ent would be exceeded by from 2000 to 3000 pieces aay, the production of grease cup bodies the move- of the spindle are entirely automatic and that is required of the operator is to keep the loaded. As the spindles return after drilling, the fixtures unload themselves, and several sizes of eces for which the fixtures were designed can een on the table of the machine. The holes d vary from 4g to 1% in. in diameter and are ximately 4 to 34 in. deep. In using the fix- the spindle feed and the length of stroke are to get as many strokes per minute as the char- of the work will permit. In this particular the spindle will drill one piece every 8 sec. and three spindles operate alternately. When the le has returned after drilling, the operator s back the rod having the large knob, shown to {t of the fixture, with his left hand and with ght places a piece in the fixture to be drilled. rod is the ejector mechanism and is kept in a ssed position by a latch. The spindle comes and drills the work, and as it returns the long il rod releases the ejector latch, the ejector g forward and throwing the drilled piece out the chute, which carries it off the table. The THE IRON AGE 669 pieces are supported on two strips set on edge, are centered by the round base with a V-shaped piece and prevented from turning by the hexagonal part slid between the guides. The body of the fixture is a hollow box open at the back, thus permitting all the chips to fall inside and be washed to the rear of the table, lubricant being applied for the drilling operation. The work holding part of the fixture can be changed to accommodate different sizes of pieces. A connection between the spindle sleeve and the fixture used for the timing fuse plugs operates the spacing or indexing mechanism to revolve the work automatically one-third of a revolution each time the spindle returns. When all the holes have been drilled the operator presses the lever at the left, which raises the holding-on spindle and brings out an ejector from the body of the fixture, thus un loading the work. As soon as the work is thrown off, the ejector returns before the holding-on spindle is lowered. After the pieces have been discharged ent The One at the Left Shows It n Use ¢ i Multipl While the Other Illustrates the Apr tion « It to the Pre Holes Drilled at an Angle ir Single-Sp e Machine they fall into the chute and are carried off to the rear of the machine. The body of the fixture is made of aluminum and the operating mechanism is of hardened tool steel. Cast Iron with Wrought Iron Added Thomas Turner, in the Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry, gives the strength of cast iror with additional wrought scrap as follow With 100 parts of cast iron 10 rts of wrought increases the strength 2 per cent 20 parts of wrought iron incr ‘ the strength cent ;0 parts of wrought iron increase the strength 60 cent i? parts of wrought iron increase the strength but er ent The maximum result is therefore produced with 30 per cent. wrought scrap. Official denial is given, though it was scarcely re quired, to the fantastic report that the United States Steel Corporation had purchased large tracts of iror ore lands in Brazil, on which much of the ore ran 73 per cent. in metallic iron. The report went on to say th