The Iron Age 1920-10-28: Vol 106 Iss 18

? i y TABLISHED 1855 WZ = <r & uments i» ee” VOL. 106: No. 18 Institute Interested in Price Situation President Gary’s in Conservative teenth General eighteenth general meeting, held at the Hotel Commodore, New York, last Friday, estab- lished a new record for attendance with a registra- tion amounting to 1600, compared with a previous record of about 1400 a year ago. The number who attended the banquet was 1500, compared with 1330 in October, 1919, and 1321 im May, 1920. The meet- ing was characterized by the keenest interest in present business conditions, especially the price sit- uation. Some of those in attendance had expected, “or at least hoped for, a definite announcement of price policy by Judge Gary, but it was generally recognized that, so far at least as his own company was concerned, he was not in a position as presi- dent of the institute to make a definite statement. Those who were hoping for some intimation that prices might be advanced were especially disap- pointed, for the trend of the discussion of the busi- ness outlook by Judge Gary indicated a belief that prices generally ought to be revised downward, al- though there was nothing in his paper to indicate that there would not be a raising of prices on steel rails or other products, for which action it may be decided there is special reason. Judge Gary gave an extremely interesting account of his trip to France and Belgium. He dwelt particularly upon the great achievement of the American army in the Argonne Forest, of which he said: “This great victory broke the German army’s back. There was never afterward any hope for victory to the arms of the Central Powers. “When all the facts and figures are assembled, authenticated and published, I think it will be gen- erally admitted General Pershing at Argonne led the largest independent army and gained the greatest single victory in the history of battles. All honor to him and to the multitudes of men who fought inder him!” This declaration was greeted by enthusiastic applause. Judge Gary carefully avoided any dis- cussion of matters that might be considered par- tisan, or even political. Only once did he speak of the League of Nations, which he did in the fol- owing paragraph: . “Before I left the United States for Europe, I heard it stated on more than one occasion that Frenchmen were much dissatisfied with, and in fact more or less bitter toward, the attitude of Ameri- ans concerning the after-effects of the war. Nat- irally, I took particular pains to ascertain the facts Tei American Iron and Steel Institute, at its Terms—Record Meeting—Valuable 1103 Address Discusses Business Conditions Attendance at Ejigh- Papers Presented in regard to these matters. It was my good for- tune to meet large numbers in France, including working people, shopmen, business men, newspaper men and public officials, and I am fully satisfied that there is no just ground for the assertions referred to. There may have been utterances of this kind by a few, but, if so, they do not represent the current of opinion. I heard only one unfavorable criticism and I think it was made on the basis of a misunderstanding. It related to the proposed League of Nations and it was made under the mis- taken belief that the American people had promised to ratify the proposed league in the form reported. The French are very friendly toward Americans, and they are deeply grateful for the service ren- dered during the war. The relations between these — two countries are more cordial and better than ever before, and they ought to be. Emphatically this sentiment also applies to Belgium.” The technical papers were of the usual high order. Those of F. L. Toy on.“The Basic Open- Hearth Process,” and E. A. Wheaton on “The Use of High Manganese Iron in Basic Open Hearth Practice,” are worthy of special mention, while Wal- ther Mathesius, as upon other similar occasions, made a valuable contribution in his paper on “The Blast Furnace Hearth.” At the banquet, Friday night, at which 1500 members and guests were seated, Judge Gary pre- sided. He stated that President James A. Farrell, of the Steel Corporation, was unable to be present on account of a temporary illness and proposed that the guests drink to his health, which was done with enthusiasm. Judge Gary also explained that General Persh- ing had been expected, but he likewise was de- tained at home by illness. The members drank to his health and also to that of the ladies who graced the balcony by their presence. The formal speeches of the evening were on “Thrift in Coal,” by George Otis Smith, director of the United States Geological Survey, Washing- ton, and H. C, Estep, European manager of the Iron Trade Review, on “European Iron and Steel Two Years After the War,” read by John A. Penton, president Penton Publishing Co., Cleveland. After the reading of these papers, Judge Gary remarked: “As the hour is rather late, I have de- cided to allow only one more speech to be made; you are to name the speaker.” Of course there were shouts for “Schwab,” and the chairman of the 1104 Bethlehem Steel Corporation responded in his usual happy manner. After telling some positively new stories, he spoke more seriously for a moment, dwelling upon the fact that the frequent meetings of the institute impressed more and more upon the members that there is something more in life than dollars. He said that it was a great joy to him to President Gary Discusses Business Conditions Present Tendency Toward a Lower, More Reason- able and Fairer Relative Basis — Foreign Manufac- turers Will Be Glad to Hold International Meeting RESIDENT GARY’S discussion of business condi- tions was in full as follows: “Although this is a time for courage, composure and caution, the business skies are practically without clouds. As always, there may be showers from time to time, but there is nothing in the atmosphere to indi- cate the approach of dangerous storms. It is up to the business men and women to maintain certain and continuous business activity. in satisfactory volume with fair and reasonable profits. If there should be a serious reaction and depression, which now seems im- probable, it will be the fault of those who are con- nected with business operations or others who, by rea- son of official positions, improperly interfere, and not because of any fundamental deficiencies in our resources and opportunities. We may without hesitation face and discuss any and all facts that bear upon the sub- ject of future economic progress, and we may frankly and openly admit any truth which concerns the imme- diate future even though it might, in some respects and to some minds, appear to be unfavorable. Reduce Equitably and Relatively “In certain lines of the iron and steel industry there have of late been some decreases in the volume of new business and also voluntary reductions in selling prices. I consider this decidedly healthful. All, or nearly all, of us have for months been unable to supply the de- mands of our customers as to quantities or deliveries and our prices, considered as a whole, have resulted in profits. As a matter of course some adjustments will need to be made. The average of the general scale ought to be reduced equitably and relatively. Without referring to individual cases or lines of general busi- ness, I believe in many instances prices have been out- rageously high. This observation applies more espe- cially to middlemen, so called, and to smaller depart- ments of industry. It also includes employees in certain trades; but it does not pertain under present conditions to the masses of workmen. Labor questions are always under consideration in this country and others. It should be constantly borne in mind that, in order to secure the best results to both employee and employer, mutual confidence and friendly co-operation are essential. The present tendency is toward a sonable and fairer relative The whole com- munity desires and strives for this. The difficulty is found in the fact that every individual is perfectly will- ing that all others shall make reductions—the larger, the better. As there was, more or less, a scramble for higher and still higher prices when they were advanc- ing, there will be just as much selfishness in the enforced use of brakes when there is a tendency toward decreas- ing prices. Nowa general public, including particularly those who are neither sellers nor buyers to a large extent, will in one way or another bring about a fair and reasonable adjustment of prices. The law of sup- ply and demand vill be the principal factor. “We naturally ask ourselves what shall we person- ally do; what shall be our attitude in these circum- stances? I answer: We must evidence the same dis- Losition which displayed before the Industrial lower, more rea- basis. was THE IRON AGE October 28, 1929 look back over an acquaintance of more than 4) years with the men of the iron trade, to renew ojq acquaintances and to meet the younger men who are coming to the front. He urged his hearers tp meet their troubles with a laugh, and to foster the friendships which have been formed and wil] hy formed by the men engaged in the great industry. Board in March, 1919, when our steel committee co- operated with the Government’s representatives in the endeavor to secure a general, equitable, orderly and methodical reduction in the prices of all commodities and services: We would have succeeded except for the sudden change in the attitude of the Administration which resulted in the abolition of the Industrial Board and thus limited the leaders in the industry to their own resources. Notwithstanding that episode we have don since then much to prevent unreasonable advances at present we are called upon to exert a further steady ing influence upon the general situation. Let us be reasonable and just, reducing our prices if and whe other reductions and costs permit, and then with level heads, clear minds and honest convictions, stand solid as against panie or lack of confidence in the industria situation. Let us strive to be right. If we are right we can be determined and courageous. Let us as indi- viduals consider the interests of all others. Our busi- ness is basic. It is perhaps one of the most important. We may, we must, exert an influence for stability throughout the business world at a time when read- justments are, more than usual, liable to provoke dis- turbed conditions. Reason for Confidence “The people of the United States have reason for confidence in the business future. They need not be dis couraged nor impatient. They have only to look about them and study the facts and figures. We have recentl) had opportunity to read the report of the Comptroll of the Currency. He informs us that the resources of all the banks of the United States break all records and exceed the combined bank assets of all other leading nations of the world and that they now amount t $53,079,108,000, not including Federal Reserve banks! Compare this with the time of Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, who wrote under date of Feb. 26, 1793 to the president, directors and company of the bank of the United States I have to request that you will be pleased to advan Samuel A. Otis, Esquire, the sum of $15,972.20 on account of the compensations due to the senators of the U: States As I have been informed that the bill, making appr« tions for the present year, has passed both hous Congress, I hope to have it in my power very short replace this sum, as well as the monies which have hitherto advanced by you for the public service, in ince with my several requisitions for that purpose Not Proud or Indifferent “You are familiar with the total wealth of the United states and the value of the yearly production. I have previously referred to them, and made compar'- sons with other countries. Our people should be thank ful but they may not be proud nor indifferent toward others. They have great responsibility. They will siz up to it. Occasionally there will be unpleasant vicissi- tudes. There will be agitators abroad in the land en deavoring to create dissatisfaction and disturbances, sometimes masquerading as reformers. There will b secret enemies of our country; and all right-thinking people must be on their guard. Love of country is the (Continued on page 1106) EXANDER H. HOLLIDAY, who presented the A paper, “Foreign Trade,” is manager of exports Jones & Laughlin Steel Co., Pittsburgh. He een identified with the steel industry for 23 _ His first connection with the industry was with Park Steel Co., Pittsburgh, having served three with that company in its claims department. He the Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. 20 years ago and for 14 years was special agent of the company in charge of claims and adjust- ments. With the organiza- tion of the export department of the company on July 15, 1915, he was named as its manager and since has occu- pied that position. He is a native of Brookville, Pa. He is an associate member of the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, a member of the Duquesne Club, the Pittsburgh Cham- ber of Commerce and the Highland Country Club. Be srtgre OTIS SMITH has been director of the k. H. HOLES United States Geological Survey since 1907. The day ‘lowing his graduation from Colby College in 1893, he tarted for the West and joined a geological survey field ity, and later, on obtaining his degree of Ph.D. in 1896, Johns Hopkins, .received a egular survey appointment. His scientific vork ineluded official investigations on the subjects of areal, structural and mining geology, confined chiefly to the States of Washington, Utah, Michigan, North Caro- and the New England States. To the wsition of director of the Geological Sur- Doctor Smith brought a broad experi- in the scientific work of the Geological Survey as well as an appreciation of busi- ; ess methods. Since taking up administra- 5 work, his publications have been large- f y public addresses devoted principally to discussion of economic and civic subjects. Some of these more recent addresses have “Industry’s Need of Oil,” “Engineer- as Prosperity Insurance,” “A Geo- iphic Study of Geology,” “Planning for wer,” “Fluctuations in Coal Production,” e Engineer and National Prosperity,” "he Public Service Opportunity of the Oil logist.” The Geological Survey is well-known as of the largest scientific bureaus of the Government. A great part of its work dur- ing the past ten years, and especially during the war, has been economic and highly utilitarian. It carries ap- proximately 1000 employees on its rolls and has the entire United States, Alaska and Hawaii for its regular field of operations. ' GEORGE W4 LTHER MATHE- SIUS, superintendent of blast furnaces, Illinois Steel Co., South Chicago, who presented a paper on the “Blast Furnace Hearth” at the meeting of the American Iron and Steel Institute, ob- WALTHER MATHESIUS tained his early experience in OTIS SMITH AUTHORS OF PAPERS READ AT MEETING OF AMERICAN IRON AND STEEL INSTITUTE Germany, where from 1904 to 1906 he was employed in various operating capacities at several blast fur- naces and steel plants. In 1906 Mr. Mathesius entered the Technical University of Berlin, where he special- ized in ferrous metallurgy and was granted his master’s degree in 1910. Remaining as assistant professor at the university for a year, he was given his doctor’s degree in 1911 as the result of a treatise on “Magnetic Properties of Manganese and Nickel Steels.” In 1911 Mr. Mathesius came to the United States and joined the research laboratory of the American Steel & Wire Co. A year later, he became assistant superinten- dent of blast furnaces 1 to “E,”’ South Works of the Illinois Steel Co., from which he was promoted to his pres- ent position of superintendent in 1917. Mr. Mathesius read i paper on “High Blast Heats in Mesabi Practice” before the American Institute of Mining Engineers in 1915, and at the 1917 meeting of the American Iron and Steel Institute presented a paper on “Chemical Reactions of Iron Smelting.” D. M. BUCK M. BUCK, who presented a Review from there to chief chemist in coated metals burgh; Chemist e of the Development of Copper Steel, was born in Mercer County, Pa., in 1877. After completing a high school course, he spent several years at Thiel College, going Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1900. He later Chemical Engineer from the same insti tution. He went with the Crucible Steel Co. as assistant chemist in 1901, and with the American Sheet & Tin Plate Co. as 1903. He has been with the latter company ever since in the capacity of chief chemist and metallurgical engineer. He has specialized largely on and corrosion. He is a member of Duquesne Club, University Club, Pittsburgh Field Club, all of Pitts- received the degree of Club, New York, and Cosmos Club, Washington. A. WHEATON, author of the paper on the use of e High Manganese Iron Practice, was born in 1889, and graduated from Lehigh University in 1912 with the degree of metallurgy. He became associated with the 3ethlehem Steel Co. in 1912 in their chemical laboratory; was transferred to open hearth No. 1 during the early part of 1913, becoming assist- ant superintendent shortly after. In December, 1915, Mr. Wheaton was transferred to open hearth No. 3 in the capacity of assistant superin- tendent, and was appointed superintendent of this depart- ment in 1917, which position he now holds. (Continued on page 1124) 1105 in Basic Open Hearth E. A. WHEATON THE IRON AGE 1106 (Continued from page 1104) rule. Indeed it is the habit. “I think the mcmbers of the iron and steel industry of the United States, up to the full limit of propriety, should co-operate with those of other countries. I have information that many foreign manufacturers will be glad to participate with us in another international meeting. In the near future, questions pertaining to this subject will be discussed by your board of directors, to whom you have always delegated full authority. “The onward march of progress is moving rapidly. We may and will be a part in the procession and, in a measure, assist in guiding the course. I have hereto- Prospects for October 28, i999 fore publicly said, quoting from the Bible: ‘As ; liveth to himself so no nation liveth to itself.’ applicable to the present period. “When we consider the world’s disasters, d. tions, agitations, distrusts and vicious propagan wonder is that business during the last few ye been so good and our country so prosperous as been. Gentlemen, the earth is still regularly on its axis, the seasons come and go, the fields with the harvests, the mines and wells yield thei) the morals of the people in general are improy an overruling and just Providence is surely cont the destinies of men and nations.” Foreign Trade A. H. Holliday on Important Factors of the Situation—Loss of Steel Produc- tion to Peaceful Arts During the War H. HOLLIDAY, manager of exports Jones & A. Laughlin Steel Co., Pittsburgh, in the paper on Foreign Trade, spoke in part as follows: “The world demand for the next decade will consist of five principal factors, namely: 1. Present normal demand 2. Replacement of world’s loss of production during war years 3. The inevitable increase due to rehabilitation ; 4. Natural expansion of demand >. The development of countries hitherto virtually unde- veloped, but consciousness now awakened or awakening to full national “1. The present normal demand we can readily gage by figures in evidence before the war. “2. The world’s loss of production to peaceful arts is difficult of determination, but with the figures of world production now quite fully obtainable for the war years, we have evolved the following theory of analysis and computation of the loss based on steel ingot and casting production: “For the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia, the diversion of production from peaceful art to war purposes: “For Belgium, non-production. “The apptication is as follows: Steel Production of the World and Loss to Peace- estimated ful Arts During World War Period, 1914-1918. Loss to Peaceful Production* Arts Loss Countries (Gross Tons) (Per Cent) (Gross Tons) United Sta es. .» 187,960,785 50 93,980,393 United Kingdom .... 44,977,092 66% 29,984,728 (Germany ; 74,655,839 100 74,655,839 Belgiun a 1,585,207 Total at pre-wal! rate ofl produc- tion 10,582,255 France 9.581,775 100 9 581,775 Russia .. ar gon 17,744,196 66 3% 11,829,464 Total 336.504.8894 230,614,454 AS): BERGER 6.06% «aX »e+ $1,187,924 6655 20,791,948 Grand total 367,.692.818 251,406,402 *Steel ingots and castings “The production of the world, as above outlined, amounted during the war years to 367,692,818 gross tons. Allowance for unavoidable inaccuracies of va- rious kinds must be made in reaching conclusions. We must also make allowance for the reclamation of steel diverted to war purposes. “However, by disregarding the odd 51,000,000 gross tons of the total estimated world’s loss of production above obtained, we arrive at what we believe to be a safe minimum of 200,000,000 gross tons lost to peaceful arts. All or most of this tonnage is likely to be required by the world, in addition to the demand that otherwise would exist. This tonnage will exercise a strong sup- porting influence on the world’s markets for many years to follow. “3. Rehabilitation has probably been much overesti- mated and will likely prove to be of interest ona ra diminishing scale to the steel manufacturers o| United States, as war’s destruction will be sup; largely by the several countries affected or by their European neighbors. Nevertheless, in terms of supply and demand this condition will have an influence beneficial to the industry as a whole. “4. Natural expansion can be gaged measu by the upward curves of world production and consump tion in the years preceding the war. “5. The further development of countries hitherto but little developed or now in condition of political, social, and economic chaos, coupled with the expansion of those countries in which substantial progress has al- ready been made, is a subject which staggers the imag- ination, but which in its very nature is indeterminate at present. By way of illustration, the per capita con sumption of China and Japan for 1918, based on the conservative estimate of 383,000,000 combined popula- tion, was 6.5 pounds of finished steel as compared with the United States per capita of 517 pounds for 115 based on 98,000,000 population. Gaged by populati natural resources, increasing national. consciousness, with expanding economic development, the human desir for comforts and luxuries, we may fairly conclude that the world’s every effort toward increased steel produ tion will be assimilated quickly with an insistent den for still further tonnages. Competition “Competition next engages our attention. Obvious]; for our purposes, the nations of the world divide int two classes: manufacturing and non-manufactu) The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ger- many, France, and Belgium, with Russia in the | ground, embrace the former, while, broadly speaking, the remainder of the world embraces the latter. It may be assumed safely that the manufacturing countries Europe, ultimately at least, will serve largely their 01 needs and those of contiguous nations of both mar facturing and non-manufacturing classes and that the remaining non-manufacturing countries will be the fields of active competition. This does not imply, however, that as among ourselves and other manufacturing countries there will not be a substantial interchange of raw ma terial, semi-finished and finished products, together wit! other commodities into which iron and steel largely enter. “The true significance of the term ‘Foreign Trade’ lies in the following: One most important econo principle is, that productivity, by enabling the inte! change of commodities with others, is a sound basis for human prosperity and happiness. Hence, in addition to our own efforts in this direction we should encourage foreign lands to produce in exchange for our own pr‘ ucts those commodities which we can ourselves us‘ dispose of to others and we should supply the mach ery, financial and otherwise, for this interchange. This tober 28, 1920 an acute present application in view of the general cation of finance throughout the world. Our ability to meet competition involves prices, ty, service, men fitted and trained for the work at home and abroad, extensive reciprocal purchases reign products, flexible and satisfactory credit ar- cements, and the encouragement of our nation as a to liberal, but wisely selected investments in for- enterprises and securities. These will in turn re- e a high order of banking, cable, mail, and trans- ation facilities, both inland and ocean. We have been slow to take advantage of the op- inities forced upon us by the war. We have not irrounded ourselves with the atmosphere of foreign In consequence we suffer by comparison with other manufacturing nations to which foreign is their life. blood and whose every activity is ted to that end. “The magnitude of the prospect must not lead to placeney. Eternal vigilance and progress will be price of success. We must not underestimate the ngth and good qualities of our competitors; rather should seek to emulate them. When we consider the accomplishments in foreign trade of our recent and the splendid manner in which they have led their loins for the renewed conflict after the dis- rtening experiences of the war and the tremendous ficulties under which they now labor, we are forced ry aloud our admiration. Altruism and Expediency “We should meet the present situation from every le in a spirit of liberality and helpfulness toward re- well as allies and neutrals. Expediency ne suggests this course. Germany was the keystone Europe’s industrial arch: A restored Europe with- foes as THE IRON 1107 AGE out a properly functioning Germany is inconceivable. An unrestored Europe means chaos, anarchy, and death to millions struggling for the necessaries of life. Such measures as are taken for the economic restoration of Germany must, of course, involve an irreducible mini- mum of menace to the national existence of her neigh- bors. The world has become internationalized. The concern of one is the concern of all. Conclusions “One of the finest guarantees of the foreign trade principle, its validity and its continuity, is the note of high altruism which during recent years has been sounded in public and private utterances. It is no longer Export Trade but Foreign Trade. We have ceased to hear that ‘There is no sentiment in business.’ Instead, constructive helpfulness is emphasized. We are imbued with the world spirit. “Foreign trade is the romance of business. In no other department of commercial endeavor does the mind run so far afield; over and under oceans; across plains and deserts, over mountains, by cable, by vessel, by railroad, by wireless telegraph and telephone, by aeroplanes, to the far corners of the earth. And in the midst of vital business considerations we pause to think of the character, the environment and welfare of those with whom we would traffic. “*Where there is no vision the people perish.” As well religion without belief in the supernatural, as for eign trade without optimism. The issue is very real and will require courage for its successful accomplishment. We have moved but a small part of the way, but we have the natural resources, the wealth, the mills, the executives and the workers, with their combined inven- tive genius, the railroads, the ships and those to man them. It we do not seize the opportunity, others will.” The Blast Furnace Hearth Large Dimensions an American Accomplishment —Objections Considered and Advantages Claimed BY WALTHER MATHESIUS" fae of the incidental yet not negligible advantages of the larger hearth is its greater accessibility. increased diameter, greater peripheral distances for arranging feed and discharge pipes for cvol- water, more working space is available around the eres, blow stocks, and the columns as well as be- een the iron and cinder runners near the furnace so on the whole, the cast house work and also the 1anical maintenance become easier and simpler. In order to illustrate the extent to which hearth nsions have grown in recent years, I might men- that the average hearth diameter of all 22-ft. bosh ices at the South Chicago plant of the Illinois Steel was increased from 16 ft. 6 in. in 1911 to 18 ft. 6 n 1919, and that the best average monthly produc- of these same furnaces equalled 512 tons per fur- e per day in December, 1911, as against 556 tons May, 1920. For this increased output the adoption ' larger hearths is primarily responsible, no enlarge- nt of the furnaces or important changes of lines above bosh having been made. During the same time our conditions have developed no permanent improve- but have rather experienced a decided change for worse. The fuel consumption per ton of iron for two periods cited above were 2053 lb. in December, ‘11, and 2037 lb. in May, 1920. In this connection I wish to point out that with this velopment of hearth dimensions the old practice of iparing furnace performances on the basis of their pig.iron output per square foot of hearth area, o longer applicable. It will be readily understood this method of calculating furnace ratings, while pable of furnishing reasonably equitable data where irth sizes bore the same relation to furnace dimen- Y ns as a whole, must naturally cease to be of value, \\ 1+ *Superintendent ago, ni. blast furnaces, Illinois Steel Co., South as soon as hearth diameters are increased beyond the customary proportion to other furnace measurements. Modification of the Stack Lines Lately larger hearths have also enabled modifica- tions of the stack lines, which were not practicable before, although their desirability had been felt for some time. Particularly for operations where soft, easily reduced ores are used which are known to have a tendency to swell under the influence of the reducing furnace gases, the suggestion had been made that the uniform descent of the stock might be facilitated by increasing the batter of the stack lining, thereby re- ducing any “jamming” tendencies as well as friction. One way to obtain this would seem to require merely a decrease in the diameter of the stock line. This, however, did not appear to be permissible on modern fast driven furnaces, using a large percentage of fine ores, since the gas velocity at the stock line which, all other things being equal, must necessarily be deter- mined by the available area, was known to be so high in many cases as to keep the surface of the charge in more or less constant agitation. Thus, the limit would be closely approached beyond which dust losses would rapidly grow to excessive proportions. The diameter of the bosh, on the other hand, appeared to be definitely controlled by the limits of hearth dimensions and bosh angles. The only means remaining then of obtaining at least a slight increase in the stack batter, was to carry the straight stock line section down lower into the furnace and thereby reserve the relief offered by a greater outward slope of the furnace walls for that part of the travel, in which the swelling of the ore afd consequently the friction was thought to be most promi- nent. Hearth Diameters of 20 Ft. With the removal of these assumed limitations of hearth dimensions the situation has changed. Hearth 1108 diameters of 20 ft. and larger are in satisfactory oper- ation and the opportunity is now here to increase the bosh diameter over the rather commonly accepted 22 ft. standard without sacrificing anything in suitability of bosh angle or height. The result to be expected from such designs should, of course, be a freer working of the furnace, that is, regular descent of the charges and, other conditions being equal, a lower blast pressure. Practical results appear to verify this theoretical analysis since, for instance, No. 6 blast furnace at the South Works, of the Illinois Steel Co., which was de- signed along such lines of reasoning and has now been in operation for about two years, has consistently worked with a more regular and uniformly lower blast pressure than the other furnaces at this plant under The principal dimensions of this furnace are given in Fig. 1. [The paper gives tables of the performance of the furnace as well as of the average results of all other South Chicago fur- naces. | Although the number of large furnace hearths in- stalled throughout the country has increased by leaps and bounds during recent years, some furnacemen are still maintaining a skeptical attitude and are occasion- ally voicing their objections with more or less substan- tial arguments. comparative conditions. Large Hearths and Lack of Penetration One of the most frequently heard assertions is that the large hearth furnaces must necessarily suffer from lack of penetration, and that this ailment can be alle- viated only by either considerably overblowing or by reducing the tuyere size to such small dimensions as to create a pronounced “jetting” action. Advocates of this theory are laboring under a wrong assumption with regard to the actual pressure drop through the tuyeres of a blast furnace. Calculations based on authoritative tests concerning the flow of air through orifices show that under average conditions of Mesaba practice this pressure drop is less than 10 per cent of the total blast pressure and this figure has been repeatedly verified by taking pressure readings on fur- naces in operation. Since it is also a scientific fact that the energy of the air flow through an orifice, that is, its ability to overcome resistance or to penetrate varies directly as the difference in pressure before and after the orifice, it will be readily seen that, other things being equal, a doubling of the penetrating ability would require only a small increase in total blast pres: sure. However, practice on our largest hearth furnace in South Chicago has conclusively demonstrated that no such additional penefrating energy is required. Based on an equal volume of wind blown, it was found best to use a slightly larger tuyere area than on other furnaces with smaller hearths. The only pos- sible explanation for this seems to be that the materials are not packed as tightly in the large hearth and actually offer less resistance to the blast. The latter, therefore, with the same energy, is able to penetrate for a greater radial distance than was formerly pos- sible. Length of the Tuyeres Another contention is the fact that on many large hearth furnaces the tuyeres, extending from 9 to 12 in. into the furnace proper, are longer than those in use at other plants. The assertion has even been made that the “jetting” action, as discussed before, together with the long tuyeres, produces “phantom” boshes, the actual working lines of the furnace having a much flatter bosh angle and smaller hearth than those pro- vided in the design. I feel justified on the basis of our experience at South Chicago, to say that we are able to use longer tuyeres to good advantage, and do so on furnaces with hearth diameters ranging from 17 ft.8 in. to 20 ft. 9 in. on account of our steep and low boshes. Without these, shorter tuyeres would have to be used in an attempt to keep the bosh clean and prevent the formation of ac- cumulations, the periodical building up and sliding off THE IRON AGE October 28, 1929 of which was formerly a source of continuous troy at a good many plants. it Increased Number of Tuyeres It has also been asserted that, with an increas. hearth diameter, it would be necessary to add to the number of tuyeres in order to avoid too great a ¢ tance between the same, since this would lead to formation of pilasters of inactive material and an un desirable reduction of hearth area. In reply to this | can only state that on four of our furnaces at Sout} Chicago, where the distance between the centers of ad joining tuyeres, measured on the periphery of Ne i x x _ \ ie. | 14 ,| é S <--3-0 Diam cad 1's a a ee 1 17-0 Diam --->—* _ i ' } i ‘ ‘ ~ 9 | 9) — x > © x ® =! ¥ 1 _¢.LJuyeres oan C.L.Cinder Notch DH & S ¢ RS a Y ¥ y¥ ty C.L ron Notch > _} } ‘a K--- 2049 Diam.----> f Fig. 1 Dimensions of No. 6 Blast Furnace of the Illinois Steel Co. at the South Works hearth was 4 ft. 7% in., 4 ft. 11% in., 5 ft. 9% in. and 5 ft. 105% in., inspection after blowing out did not show any such formations. On our No. 6 furnace, where with 20 ft. 9 in. hearth diameter and 10 tuyeres the distance between tuyeres amounts to 6 ft. 6% in., we do not expect to have an opportunity for inspection for some time to come. The operation of this furnace does not reveal any indications of forming such accumula tions between tuyeres. Summation of Advantages of Large Hearths In summing up these arguments I do not intend deny that conditions may exist in this country—and they are well known to predominate abroad—where in normal operation furnaces with high or flat boshes and small hearth dimensions work entirely satisfactorily and compare well in results with those accomplished i! Mesaba practice by furnaces with larger hearths. The fact remains, however, that in a great number of i! stances, and under different conditions of raw materials, practice and products, the larger hearth has been the means of obtaining improvements in output and econ- omy which were not realized before. So far I am not aware of any proven case where large hearths failed to produce results which could be obtained with smaller ctober 28, 1920 imeters. The large hearth may therefore rightfully yntinue to claim its supremacy. Concerning the constructive features involved in the design of large furnace hearths it may be said that w departures have been made so far from former standards such as for years had given satisfactory ser- e at our works. On the contrary, it should be emphasized that the largement has not imposed additional or increased resses and duties, while in some respects the demands ipon the strength and wearing qualities of the con- struction have actually lessened. The volume for stor- ng the molten iron and slag being larger, the maximum eight to which these latter will rise above the low level yrevailing at the end of the cast, must for a given pro- juction necessarily be lower. Thus, less pressure is exerted per square foot of bottom and hearth walls, and there is less danger of metal reaching the level of the nder notch or of slag interfering with the combus. yn of coke at the tuyere level. Such advantages are distinctly to the credit of the arge hearth, as they could not have been obtained by nereasing the vertical distances between the iron and nder notches and the tuyere level. These dimensions THE IRON AGE 1109 must necessarily be kept below a well defined maxi- mum, otherwise the metal bath being removed too far from the zone of highest temperature, becomes the cause of producing physically cold iron, which is the source of many evils and worries in steel works as well as blast furnace practice. [The author then deals with plans to minimize the danger of iron break-outs, to reduce the chances of in- terruption of the water-cooling of the hearth jacket segments, and other plans, all of them illustrated.] In conclusion, I take pleasure in pointing out that the successful development of the large hearth blast furnace, unhampered as far as I am aware, by any sacrifice of former advantages, is an exclusively Amer- ican accomplishment, which to-day is evoking the keen- est interest of our competitors abroad. The results ob- tained so far justify the belief that permanent progress has been achieved to the lasting benefit of the Ameri- can iron and steel industry. There were two written discussions of this paper presented; one by R. W. H. Atcherson, superintendent blast furnaces, Inland Steel Co., Indiana Harbor, Ind., and one by W. H. Geesman, superintendent blast fur- Lackawanna Steel Buffalo, N. Y. naces, Caius A Review of the Development of Copper Steel A Bibliography of the Subject—-The Use of the Product in BY D. M. ( NE prominent investigator has roughly estimated that the annual charge due to corrosion of iron and steel is between 60 and 80 million dollars, based upon normal values of semi-finished products, and this figure takes into account only the actual value of the iron and steel itself without reference to other closely related osses, such as fabrication and installation costs, and the value of metallic paint, and other protective coat- ngs, which unfortunately are not permanent, and which would become unnecessary should we ever reach the goal of all students of corrosion problems, the produc- tion of an absolutely incorrodible steel or iron, at a price sufficiently low to admit of its commercial use. Although this aim has not yet been attained, tre- strides forward have been made in the past 15 years. The problem has been attacked from several different angles, but I believe the results of careful in- vestigation justify the statement that, in the light of our present knowledge, considering the average materials of construction, the best results are obtained by alloy- ing with normal open-hearth or Bessemer steel, from 0.15 to 0.30 per cent of pure copper. The commercial application of this discovery was first announced by the company, which the author represents, in 1911, and that year it was placed on the market in sheet form. It is not the intention of this paper to enter into a technical discussion of the various theories of corrosion which have been discussed more or less vigorously by their several adherents during the past 15 years, before sundry societies and in the public print, but rather to present to you in a brief form the more important evi- dence which proves the remarkable influence of copper additions to steel and iron, in checking the attack of atmospheric moisture and oxygen, and to heartily urge the more general adoption of copper steel in other sec- tions than sheet metal, to which uses it has largely been confined up to the present time. [The author includes a discussion of the literature on the effect of copper from the corrosion standpoint and also a bibliography.] It is perhaps unnecessary to further multiply these references to data confirmatory of the author’s findings on copper steel, and this phase of the subject will be ‘oncluded by a brief allusion to the results of the official test of Committee A-5 on Corrosion, American Society for Testing Materials. This exposure test has mendous ig, Metallurgical Engineer, American Sheet & Tin Plate Co., Pittsburgh. Steel Freight Cars BUCK been conducted by the corrosion committee of the society with the co-operation of the United States Bureau of Standards, Washington, the test sheds being located at three different all on United States Government property, representing the atmosphere of \tlantic sea coast, and places, an inland industrial center, the an inland rural section. Bare unprotected corrugated sheets of 22 gage and 16 gage were exposed during the winter of 1916-1917, the following types having been included in the test: Low-copper (normal) open-hearth steel Low-copper (normal) Bessemer steel Basic oper hearth copper steel Acid open-hearth copper steel Bessemer copper steel Low-copper pure iron Copper bearing pure iron Low-copper wrought iron ( er bearing wrought iror In addition to these types sundry manufacturers were invited to submit branded materials which they recommended for corrosion resistance. A representative inspection committee has made annual reports to the society on the condition of the tests, and although con- clusions have not as yet been drawn by the committee, the 1920 report yields enlightening information. At the inland industrial location, out of 146 sheets of 22 gage copper bearing materials, (0.15 per cent copper or over) {1 sheets or about 28 per cent had failed after 41 months exposure, while out of 84 non-copper bearing sheets (less than 0.15 per cent copper), 67 or about 80 per cent had failed after 22 months’ exposure, and 81 or 96.66 per cent had failed at 41 months exposure. Furthermore, the three sheets of this class which had not failed contained 0.133 copper, and fall into the non-copper bearing class due to the arbitrary division point of 0.15 per cent, which was selected by the com- mittee. Out of 132 No. 16 gage copper bearing sheets, none had failed after 41 months exposure, while out of 126 non-copper bearing of the same gage, 33 or about 26 per cent had failed. Moreover, no groups (22 gage) remained intact after 41 months except copper steels, and nearly 88 per cent of all copper steel sheets were still intact. At the inland rural location, the 1920 report shows that failures have started to occur and that “it is inter- esting to note that the group of sheets which failed first at this point are the same as those which failed first at Pittsburgh” (Industrial location) that is, the non-copper bearing steels. With this overwhelming mass of evidence, we may 1110 consider it as proven that by alloying with normal open- hearth or Bessemer steel a small copper content (0.15 to 0.25 per cent) the corrosion rate is enormously re- duced wherever the products are exposed to alternate attacks of air and moisture, which conditions prevail in practically all characters of atmosphere. It is cer- tainly very conservative to estimate that the life of sheet metal is doubled by this treatment. Indeed a careful analysis of the author’s results as well as of the other data submitted indicates that the increased life of unprotected metal is probably more nearly 300 to 500 per cent. While it is undoubtedly true that the greater por- tion of steel and iron products exposed to corrosive con- ditions is, at least initially, covered by some protective coating, it is equally a fact that these protective coat- ings are unfortunately only transitory protection, and wherever unprotected metal is exposed, or after the paint or metallic protective film has worn away or be- come damaged, thus exposing the bare iron or steel, such additional life as can certainly be obtained by the simple alloying with copper becomes of paramount im- portance and of almost incalculable value. It may not be out of place here to state that in addi- tion to the added resistance of copper steel to corro- sion, the author has noticed in his investigations indi- cations which point to a better adherence of paint coat- ings on copper steel, thus resulting in a more perfect and longer continued protection by the paint film. The benefits to be obtained by adding copper to nor- mal steel, to be fabricated into materials of construc- THE IRON AGE October 28, |: tion, cannot be successfully contradicted. The me point of copper is approximately 700 deg. Fahr. |, than the average tapping temperature, it diffuses ; ily, and once diffused does not segregate. The manufacture of copper steel has heretofore largely confined to sheet metal, and the product been tremendously improved. The usefulness of discovery may readily be broadened ‘by the use of per in other steel and iron sections, and their life t! by greatly increased. To mention a single exan steel freight cars, especially those of the open suffer greatly from corrosion. If the life of the t} sands of such cars that have passed out of the of usefulness during the past few years could been increased only 20 to 25 per cent, the result w have gone far toward relieving the severe car short which has recently existed. Such a result would p: ably have been attained had copper steel been used their manufacture. We have here a comparativel) expensive method of improving all of our products are called upon to resist the attack of air and moist thus greatly increasing their period of service and the same time effecting an immeasurably important st in the conservation of our natural resources. The thor’s wish in presenting this paper is to respectfu urge your earnest consideration of these suggestion Those discussing this paper were Dr. J. S. Un; director research department, Carnegie Steel Co., Pi burgh; Prof. W. H. Walker, Massachusetts Institut of Technology, Boston, and Dr. Allerton Cushma Washington, D. C. The Heat Treatment of Automobile Steels Calculation of Critical Temperatures Pos- sible—Classification of Automobile Steels TEELS entering into motor car construction do not differ from those entering into the construc- tion of any other piece of machinery. The use of alloy steels has developed coincidentally with the develop- ment of the automobile and, of necessity, the art of heat treating has been extended to keep pace with this de- velopment. To the man who is familiar with what has been done during the last 15 years in the accumulation of knowl- edge of the manufacture and heat treatment of special steels, there are two facts which cannot fail to impress him very forcibly: The manufucturers have few produced comparatively classes steels which cannot be radically of alloy apparently Fig. 1 Where the Break Usuall'y Comes in Automobile Axles improved upon by varying the percentage of the constituent elements No new alloy steels have been produced recently which are radically superior to the steels in use for the last 15 years The metallurgists are spending immenss equipment highest physical the tablished sums of money in laboratory and obtain the In short experimentation, trving to uut of these steels. foundation is the heat properties possible, manufacturing than that of upparently treating. more firmly « Let us see why this is so. The demand for heat treatment of steel has been developed so rapidly that the supply of men w