The Iron Age 1920-11-11: Vol 106 Iss 20

ESTABLISHED 1855 THE IRON AGE New York, November 11, 1920 VOL. 106: No. 20 Steel for Valves of Combustion Motors Requirements Enumerated in the Light of Troubles, Which Experience Has Discovered in the Low Weight Engine BY G. HE author of this article fully realizes the dif- ficulty and the complexity of the problem which he has undertaken. When in the tech- nical branch of the English military aeronautical department, he was confronted many times with problems concerning the valves of internal combus- tion motors and this gave him the idea of studying the rules to which the valve construction must con- form in order to give good service. The problem was particularly studied from the metallurgical point of view, as he fully believes that valve defects are often due to defective ma- terial, more so than to faulty design or poor work- manship, although the two latter causes have been given due consideration whenever in his power to do so. On the questions of workmanship and design the reader’s indulgence is asked, as the author is more of a metallurgist than a mechanic; but as he fully realizes the fact that it would be absolutely illogical to neglect purposely the mechanical part, this latter will be considered whenever the occasion arises. Working Conditions for Valves The author proposes to fix, as far as possible, the various troubles to which and to state to the best of his various rational methods which can be used to over- them. To do this, it will be study the conditions under which the valves work and to see how the latter are affected by them. To start with, it is important to note that valves perform their work at a temperature sen- the normal. The temperature of the intake valves may vary from 100 to 600 deg. C, While that of the exhaust valves may vary, under the same conditions, from 250 to 860 deg. C. in avia- mn motors and those with a high speed; the last mentioned temperature is often obtained and it may be.stated that the exhaust high speed motors work between 700 and 860 deg. C., being well understood that sensible differences may st in the working temperatures due to the cool- ng conditions which are far from being the same in motors which could be considered as similar. valves are subject knowledge the come necessary to sibly above valves of Automobile technical interprete 1 La Tec hnique Nuccio, R De 1249 GABRIEL The various motors may be classified as follows: Re ) Mot 11pm witl l Mi lip? hh fir l with parallel « nde W Of all the above types, the revolving motors are the coolest and those of the fourth class the warmest; the second and third class represent the intermediate stages. As already stated above, mo- tors of the same type may sometimes be found to work under quite different conditions, in fact they are far from being of the same design, power, di- mensions, mean pressure, etc. First of all it must be considered, on account of the high temperature to which a valve is sub- jected, the means by which it may be freed of its allow the controlling of The highest tem- is here that The heat, as these means may the temperature of the valves. perature is at the value head and it the heat must be eliminated most rapidly. three most important means to accomplish this are: the last means, of the seat therefore Experiences have shown that this dispersion of the heat by direct contact head, is the most efficient and most carefully studied. the conductivity between the be perfectly obtained, it shall be with the the one to be In order that head of the seat les Vaive main and the is necessary that two conditions realized, that is: ‘ a t aoa ad The first question will be fully discussed in con- with the second type of valves, but the sec- ond question is the most important. The most fre- causes of troubles due to the valves are a consequence of premature ignition in the cylinders. If the valve does not perfectly bear on the seat at time of explosion this will originate an efflux of gas around the valve just at the time when the gas is at its highest temperature. Under these conditions the cooling of the valve head is very dif- ficult and the valve will soon become unserviceable. The author has examined valves deteriorated by premature ignition, brought to at least 1150 deg. It may be safely stated that premature ignition is the cause for the greatest amount of valve trouble. Although the amount of heat lost in the other nection quent really two ways is of relatively little importance when compared with the first, nevertheless it is desirable to give them some attention so as not to be disap- pointed with the performance of the motor. It has been noticed in practice, for instance, that some exhaust pipes did not allow a free discharge of the hot gas, thus overheating the valve collar which would become even warmer than the head. Thus, instead of the valve head releasing some heat through the collar, it would receive an additional amount. In this case the valve would invariably burn out. It is equally important that the heat be freely released also through the valve guides in contact with the stem. If the stem is of such a length as to protrude into the exhaust chamber, it will itself become heated and, therefore, it will not be of any help in radiating the heat. It must be remembered that a sufficient play exists between the guide and the stem. , Another factor which may cause trouble in the valve operation is the use of an imperfect car- bureting mixture. The author will not make any is his opinion that this subject has been best treated by people better qualified than he, and, therefore, he will simply make a note of it as one of the frequent causes of trouble. Many of the valve troubles have been as- signed to the poor quality of the steel while the real cause was a bad gas mixture. It is to be noted that the wear between the valve guide and the stem varies according to the motor types, their working conditions being quite different. In the fixed motors the valve displace- ment follows the straight line, the only lateral stresses on the stem being due to the cam. This may be insignificant or important, according to the design of the motor, but the effects are rarely as serious as those produced by the inertia in the rotary motors. The travel for each point of the valve is never on a straight line, and the lateral stresses must be taken into account. suggestion on this point, as it Various Valve Troubles The various valve troubles may be classed as follows: Elongation of the valve stem Distortion of the valve head Cracks in the valve head. lox play between the valve stem and i guide Excess play at the lower end of the stem 6. Burning of the valve head s« ng of the head S. Breaking off of the valve collar due to self-hardening All of the above defects may be laid to the kind of steel or to the heat treatment and the author will study the questions in all details and will try to fix all the properties which the steel should have in order to avoid the above mentioned troubles, it being well understood, of course, that the motor be rationally designed and constructed. 1—Elongation of the Valve Stem This defect does not occur often, but when it does it is the consequence of one of the three fol- lowing things: a. The use of a not a high temperature b. Overheating of the valve stem at hot gas ( Defective sufficiently strong steel to work at parts in contact with design of the valve collar. The author has noted an elongation of almost 4 mm. (5/32 in.) after a few hours running of a motor, this elongation taking place especially at the collar which had not been designed with a THE IRON AGE November 11. 1920 sufficient section. Further on we will examine tha qualities which must be found in the steel jn . to avoid this inconvenience. In regard to the overheating of part stem only, this is generally due to a defect sign of the exhaust chamber or valve guide. Fjna)), when the collar is quite weak, the section th metal is not sufficient to cause adequate ra: of the heat. It does happen sometimes that the elon: of the stem is the consequence of excessive ; ulation of carbon deposits on the valve and the cause for other trouble, as will be see ther on. rder 2—Distortion of the Valve Head In a certain motor great trouble was experi- enced on account of the distortion of the head the valves and this was due to the fact that the rough valve forgings were not properly treated The machining followed immediately after forging and valves were placed into the without getting rid of any of the internal str caused by the forging operation. When the n started to work, these stresses disappeared and t valves bent appreciably so as not to bear proper! on their seats. Once this stage was reached, destruction of the valve was but a question of a few hours. It is important that the forging work per- formed on valves, and in a general way all forging operations, be made with a full understanding of the work the piece is called to perform and all pos- sible care taken in order to eliminate brought about by the forging. This may be at- tained by ordinary methods if a proper steel is used, otherwise the drawing will answer the pur- pose, if made at a sufficiently high temperature. The distortion of the valve may also be pro- duced if the forging has been carefully taken care of but the valve has been unevenly cooled. This can be remedied, at least in part, by designing t valve so that it can turn on itself when the motor is running. Another cause of the distortion of the valve is the unexpected softening of the steel while th valve is working. The effect of the spring and the impacts against the seat are sufficient to produc important deformations. The author has examined cases in which the distortion had become very im- portant due to the use of steel either too soft or not strong enough for the temperatures to which it had been submitted; the valve had acquired a! “umbrella” shape. Besides the above causes, the warping may be produced either by a poorly designed valve or 4 valve head lacking the necessary amount 0! metal. stresses ne il 3—Cracks in the Valve Head This defect is principally due to the steel. The cracks may have been in the bars before the steel was forged or result from the forging operation. Often they are very insignificant and great care is required in order to discover them. Sometimes the cracks are made during the run- ning of the motor. If, for instance, a self-harden- ing steel is used, it is possible that the temperature the piece will acquire while motor is running be- comes higher than the tempering temperature and when cooling the cracks will appear. To whatever cause the fissures may be due, they are always dangerous and even the smallest will allow the destructive action of the gas to act on the steel and quite often may be seen, as a consequence of this defect, a full size groove in the valve THE IR November 11, 1920 several close-by cracks may join and cause reaking away of a piece of the metal. {—Play Between Valve Stem and Guide his inconvenience is most noticeable in the , , motors, but it is possible to avoid it by the f proper steels. As a general rule the valve is never brought to a temperature above 400 and it is not hard to choose el which would give good re- sults at this temperature. A classific: with referen given in the requirements 5—Play at End of Valve Stem [This trouble is a common oc- rence in cases where the cam : by the author s directly on the valve without feature of the service has been attempted » second instal ON AGE 1251 oxidizing process at exactly that point. If the scaling takes place close to the vaive head or if a part of the scale or other foreign matter falls near the seat, the valve will not seat properly and the exhaust gas will pass around this place producing caving-in of the metal... As another consequence of this defective valve seating, the cooling of the valve cannot be successfully accom- plished and the temperature of ition of steels the valve head increases consider- e to the ist ably. In all cases the quantity of article on the oxidized material will increase to be met in rapidly until the head is com- pletely corroded in the neighbor- 7 and forms a » . hood of the dangerous point. e use Of SB) intermediate ee ment of the article. 1 8—Breaking Due to Self-Hardening which may absorb the impact. If sten, chrome and nickel valve mechanism is such that steels are covered. The Numerous cases have been ex- valve acts directly, the lower curves includ end of the valve stem shall be the resistance hardened, but this part only. This several kinds requires, naturally, the use of a suitable type of steel, but it must be noted that no valve shall be used in a motor the head of which has not been carefully drawn; there- re if a valve arrangement is wanted with a direct ting cam, it is necessary that the lower end of the valve stem shall have, at least for a short length, greater resistance to wear than the one existing at the valve head. These conditions are not always easily realized nd therefore it is not rare to have the lower end the valve stem softer than it should be or hard- ened so that it will easily crack. In order to remedy this trouble it is necessary to use a steel easy to heat-treat or to make arrangements in- order to quip the lower part of the valve stem with a piece ade from another metal. 6—Burning of Valve Heads Although the above is a frequently used ex- pression, nevertheless, it is one whose meaning is well defined. The burning may be due to dif- ferent causes and not all of them may be traced the steel and it may be more exact to state that there is any burning, this has been brought ibout by the bad conditions under which the motor worked, as for instance, pre-ignition and poor alve arrangement. The cracks in the valve face are a common irce of burning as already seen. In the same if a valve does not rest properly on its seat, the burning of the valve must be expected. In this ise there is such a strong flow of hot gas around the valve that the temperature becomes much gher than it should be and, besides, the valve having a proper bearing on its seat cannot con- niently cool. 7—Scaling of Valve Head As has been seen, the oxidizing or scaling of the valve is also a cause of trouble. The scaling take place at various places, but it is seen ost on the lower surface of the head or at the col- or on the lower part of the valve stem. The iling depends either upon the temperature to th the steel is brought or upon the character- ties of the steel itself. Some steels oxidize easier than others and it be stated as a general rule that the higher temperature, the easier the steel becomes oxi- ed. If a valve scales at any point, it is highly able that this point becomes separated on ac- int of the blows and vibrations and if it falls on part already over-heated, it may facilitate the » one showing amined where the valve has per- formed its work in a satisfactory way for a certain length of time ind then it will suddenly break off at the head or collar. This is brought about especially when starting a motor which has been run and then had time to cool off. Valves breaking in this way are generally made of nickel-chromium steel hardened in air. During a previous running of the motor, they have reached a minimum temperature of 750 deg. C., then cooled off. The consequence of this cooling off has been the acquiring of a hardness so that the maximum tensile strength of the steel has possibly reached a value of more than 150 kilos per sq. mm. (213,300 lb. per sq. in. Naturally, this hardness brings with it a considerable increase in brittleness and fissures may also appear due to slight surface ir- regularities. When the motor is started again, this valve will suddenly break off. It is important, therefore, to choose a steel which will not harden when cooling in the air after having been brought to the temperatures which the parts acquire when running the motor. to scaling of of steel. Properties of Ideal Valve Steel The foregoing paragraphs have shown in va- rious ways how valves may deteriorate and as a consequence have pointed to some of the properties the steel must have in order to be used in the man- ufacture of valves for internal combustion motors. Therefore the ideal steel to be used in this case must possess a large number of qualifications and these are quite hard to find in any one elass of metal. Below are mentioned the most important: TI est possible strength at high temperatures T? lea brittlene Forgeal ty The possibility of being machined without cracks ywwing up during the machining of the steel bar or ge the forging pperation The possibility of being heat-treated in the regular way Least tendency to oxidation and scaling; if the latter ikes place, it should be as adherent as possible The property of retaining its original physical prop after having been frequently heated at a high tem perature and then cooled to normal temperature or to have been kept at a high temperature for a considerable gth of time No tendency to become hardened by cooling n the iir when starting at the usual normal temperature it which motor valves are known to work 9. Possibility of being’ treated after the forging oper: without originating abnormal] internal stres which warping Sufficient strength so as not to be affected by the existing between the guide and the sten 11. Possibility of heat-treating the lower end of the stem, if necessary 2. Possibility of being easily and satisfactorily machined by ordinary means From the list it can be easily seen that no kind of steel presents at the maximum all the desirable qualities. Nevertheless, steels which have been used in the past have been chosen either because they offered all these qualities in a certain amount or some of them only but in a higher degree. (To be continued) _—LLLLLLR ALEGRE NY ee aye Engineer’s Responsibility to Workman In New York Celebration of Fortieth Anniversary of American Society of Mechanical Engineers a Meeting Is NOTABLE list of speakers and congratulatory telegrams from public men, including President- elect Warren G. Harding, Vice-President-elect Calvin C. Coolidge and Herbert Hoover, among other things president of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, marked the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the Amer- ican Society of Mechanical Engineers held the night of Nov. 5 in the Engineering Societies Building, New York. This was one of 32 similar meetings held simultaneously in various parts of the country. The topic of the meet- ing was “The Opportunity and Responsibility of the Engineer,” and this was discussed by the principal speakers; J. Herbert Case, acting governor Federal Reserve Bank of New York; Samuel Gompers, presi- dent American Federation of Labor, and William B. Dickson, vice-president Midvale Steel & Ordnance Co. Fred J. Miller, president of the society, presided. Be- sides the main speakers named, Henry R. Towne, oldest living past president of the society, dwelt on the early activities of the society. Messages of good will from other engineering societies were delivered by A. P. Davis, president American Society Civil Engineers; W. L. Saunders, past president American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, and Charles F. Scott, past president American Institute of Electrical Engineers. Among the telegrams was a fitting “hands- across-the-sea” message from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, of London, which was read by W. H. Patchell, a member of the council of that society. Much was said by all the speakers of the evening about the need of humanizing industry and making it democratic, and the discussion was enlivened by out- spoken criticisms of present-day industrial autocracy and the trend toward feudalism in certain industries. Mr. asserted that in the recent remarkable fall in commodity prices the Federal Reserve Bank had met its most severe test, and had saved the country from a disastrous financial upheaval. He predicted that with the Federal Reserve Bank organized as it is now there will be no more banking panics in this country. He even went so far as to say that with greater re- finement in currency and banking procedure commer- cial crises such as encountered by the cotton and other interests in recent months will be avoided. Mr. Gompers made a plea for a greater differentia- tion between human and material affairs in engineering procedure. “The tendency during the last 75 or 100 years of our western c said he, “has been to have the machine replace the man. The old feeling of craftsmanship which existed before the industrial revolution came about has been greatly modified because of the perfection reached in machine design. This process, however, has been carried entirely too far, for in many places the man has become a human connect- ing link in a machine and mastered by it instead of controlling the machine himself, as he did with the tools that he used in the old days. The result is that to-day men’s work tends to become mere toil, so it seems to me that the task that before us is to develop a definite kind of working environment which will be attractive and which will inspire rather than repulse the workman. The work itself must become of central concern. This cannot be brought about un- less the man finds the opportunity for self-expression in the day’s work and a chance to exercise his creative impulses. “During the past 50 years the labor movement has endeavored to protect the workman against the inroads of the machine upon his own life. Our fundamental effort toward this end we epitomized in this declara- tion: The labor of a human being is not a commodity or article of commerce.” Case ivilization,” lies Held on _ the Industrial Problem Mr. Gompers went on to declare that “it deadly monotony of repetitive work that is at th of most of our troubles, and I, therefore, in the of the workers, urge upon you engineers to dire energies to the solution of this problem. Bewar: the machines you create do not become a Franke: and enslave the human race. If you study th of humanity with the same degree of intensity tha study the laws of material science,” he concluded, will render a tremendous service, and as preside: the American Federation of Labor it is my firn viction that the labor movement not only welcom invites your co-operation.” Address by Mr. Dickson What Mr. Dickson had to say, substantially in is as follows: Most men will agree that our present social is showing signs of instability. This is particula true abroad, but we in America are not lacking in si; which point to a disturbed state of mind, especially on the part of workingmen. The authority of old stand ards and conventions is being questioned, sometimes in such a manner as to take one’s breath away. Fo. instance, in the proposed Plumb bill for handling the railroads. Human Problem in Repetitive Work The question has been raised by thoughtful men whether or not the applied sciences, progress in which is peculiarly the boast of our age, have really advanced the human race in the path of evolution. I that they have, but, nevertheless, there are grave dan- gers attendant on modern conditions of work and liv- which must be recognized and counteracted, if American ideals are to be preserved as energizing fa tors in our civilization. About a year ago, in speaking to the Philadelphia branch of your society, I dwelt on what I consider the menace of the highly specialized task in our modern factories. I am going to mention it again because | have been seeking light on it ever since but without success. If I am wrong in my premises, I wish you would show me; and if I am right, I would like know the answer to the problem. The danger to which I refer is the high degree of specialization in modern industry. The division of labor, which is such a marked characteristic of modern industry, has added a new complexity to the relation of employer and employee and has brought with it new problems which vitally affect the community life My point was that the old conditions furnished what I feel to be an essential factor in a normal life, 1.¢. joy in work through the exercise of the creative in- stinct. It is difficult for me to associate this feeling with the highly specialized task where the workman performs a simple operation over and over, perhaps for years. I feel that the opportunity for the expression of the creative instinct in our modern factory is very limited I am also convinced that the natural, inevitable effect on the individual of the deadly monotony of highly specialized factory work is to stunt him mentally, mor- ally and physically wnless it is counteracted by som other vital force. It is unthinkable that there should be any backward step in our industrial progress. No sane man would propose to solve this problem by reverting to the 0 conditions. Our shoes, clothing and all other products believe ing essential to our present civilization will have to be made more and more by highly specialized automatic ma- chinery. But if I am justified in my premises, there is 4 November 11, 1920 human problem which must be faced; and in my opin- is a problem in the solving of which lies the tion of the survival of our democratic ideals. has been said that free government is more im- int than good government. I believe this to be a vund truth, and applying it to the form of gov- ent and admitting the manifest advantages of a entrated governing class in securing a highly ent social order, I would say that if there must 1 choice, it is better to be free and inefficient than ecure efficiency by having men become mere cogs in ymplex social machine operated by a so-called rior class. Democracy in Industrial Relations The principal theme, however, to which I wish to direct your attention is a broader one, and in the work- out of the social problem which I will present I hopeful that an answer will be found also for the lem of the specialized task. My theme is this: What is the supreme issue con- nting mankind to-day? In my opinion, simply the me issue which runs back through all history, and ch we have fondly dreamed was settled once and ever by the American people, namely—aristocracy rsus democracy. We Americans are so accustomed to think of democ- racy as the normal system of human government, the flower of civilization, that the man in our midst » would seriously question this apparently self-evi- truth would be looked upon as abnormal, to say the least. We achieved, or we fondly hoped we had achieved, tical democracy when Cornwallis surrendered at pS orktown. As a matter of fact, democracy is not an ievement; it is an opportunity for further struggle ipward. We must now set our minds to the task of applying lemocratic principles to industrial relations. I believe there is a grave menace to our American als in the highly centralized, autocratic contro) vhich is becoming a marked tendency in our great in- tries. The feudal system was based on the ownership of nd and its appurtenances—such as highways, mines, reams, fisheries, etc., by the barons, and it was effec- ve in securing autocratic control of the workers, be- cause the vast majority were tillers of the soil or work- ers in other industries controlled through land owner- The tendency of our modern industrial system is ward autocratic control of the workers through nership of what our socialistic friends term “the of production,” which include not only the natural resources but also the furnaces, mills, factories and ransportation systems. l'wo Happenings Under Existing Corporate Control Instead of indulging in glittering generalities, let cite two instances of what has happened under the isting systems of corporate control: Some years ago a gentleman at the head of one of great corporations decided that prices must be tained in the face of a diminishing demand. In to accomplish his purpose, he restricted produc- by shutting down a number of large plants located lifferent communities, each of which had been built argely as an adjunct of the plant. me of these plants were kept closed for about a and the result was disaster to the communities. merchants were driven out of business, real estate s were depreciated, and the workers were thrown eir own resources and had to break up their homes seek employment elsewhere. None of these per- had any voice in the momentous decision which made in a New York office and which resulted in paralysis in all of these communities. is last summer the president of one of our largest companies suddenly announced that his mills 1 close for an indefinite period, and they were 1 in the same arbitrary, autocratic manner as e described. History is filled with instances where centralized wer has led to conditions inimical to human prog- 4a THE IRON AGE 1253 ress, as that term is usually understood in America. It is the effect of the unconscious insolence of conscious power. Consider for a moment the despotic power which our modern system of industry gives a few men over the lives and fortunes of hundreds of thousands of their fellow-citizens. By reason of this condition we have the unstable situation of a government founded on the suffrages of men who, for all practical purposes, are industrially bondmen. If we should read in the paper some morning that a Turkish pasha had exercised his authority in such a way as to deprive a city of its means of subsistence, we would raise our eyes in holy horror and bless our good fortune in living in a more enlightened land. Any manifestation of autocracy is repugnant to the American people, whether it proceeds from a president of a corporation, a president of a labor union, or a president of the United States. What is the answer? Only one, namely—industrial democracy. In a great national crisis Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand this nation cannot continue to exist half slave and half free.” An Industrial Lincoln Needed I believe that we are approaching a time when we will need an industrial Lincoln, who will give utterance to the creed of the twentieth century: “A house di vided against itself cannot stand; this nation cannot continue to exist politically democratic but economi ally autocratic.” What do I mean by industrial democracy? It is exceedingly important that there be no confusion as to this definition. Mr. Carnegie was once asked, “Which is the most important factor in your business capital, management, or labor?” He replied, “Which is the most important leg on a three-legged stool?” This answer epitomizes my theme and also what 1 believe will be the creed of the twentieth century. In an efficient partnership, such as Mr. Carnegie’s answer implied, while each partner may have equal rights, the duties and responsibilities are usually sepa rated so that each exercises his principal functions within his own limited sphere. But where grave ques tions are to be considered, which vitally affect the organization as a whole, there is general consultation. So, in the new ideal of industrialism, each factor, i.e. capital, management and labor, will continue to have its own separate natural function, as heretofore, but no arbitrary, autocratic decisions affecting the gen eral welfare will be made, either by the directors, the officials or by the workmen. Some of you may ask, “Did Mr. Carnegie follow this ideal in practice?” My answer is “No.” He did give a larger measure of recognition to management than most of his fellow-manufacturers, but in his atti- tude toward labor he was merely a sign-post, pointing the right way but never taking it. The Carnegie labor policy was highly autocratic, as is that of its successor, the United States Steel Cor- poration; a benevolent autocracy, if you please, in many splendid ways, although it still maintains that relic of barbarism—the 12-hr. day. But however large you write the word “benevolent,” you must always write after it the word “autocracy.” The Steel Corporation has become such an impor- tant factor in our national life that it is a fair object for criticism. The Corporation deservedly stands high in the estimation of the American people because of the material advantages enjoyed by its employees, but its managers have, as yet, failed to appreciate the spirit of the times. To paraphrase St. Paul: “Though they pay the highest wages, give pensions, and furnish every modern convenience and safeguard to their work- men, and have not democracy, it profiteth them noth- ing.” The autocratic policy of this great industrial cor- poration is diametrically opposed to American ideals, and if it and similar organizations in other industries continue to grow and to maintain this autocratic atti- tude, there can only be one result—industrial feudal- ism; feudalism with a high degree of comfort and ee ee safety for the worker, I grant you, but none the less, feudalism. [At this point Mr. Dickson, who had apparently not expected that the head of the American Federation of Labor would be on the platform with him, turned momentarily toward Mr. Gompers and then continued. ] I am anxious to observe every courtesy to my fellow speaker of the evening and yet, lest my position should be misunderstood, I desire to make it clear that in the recent steel strike the course taken by the Steel Cor- poration had my hearty approval. When a man, number of men, for their own ends, create a great industrial unit, they assume an obligation toward the human elements in that unit, and through them, to society in general, which cannot be canceled or suspended arbitrarily. I subscribe to the doctrine that human labor is not a commodity in the ordinary sense of that term. or a At the Base of All Social Unrest In a reason completely natural society, every man by of close and continuous contact with land and other natural resources would be an independent, self- sustaining unit. When a man has left this natural condition, whether voluntarily or otherwise, and has become the servant of another man, or other men, he has given up a natural right and his employer has assumed an equivalent obligation. The fact that neither the employer nor the employee has been conscious of this exchange, and that both may have acted from purely selfish motives, does not alter the elemental fact which, in the great national aggregate, constitutes the great unanswered problem of modern times—the ele- mental fact that is at the base of all social unrest. In the two instances which I cited, where com- munities were paralyzed by the arbitrary closing of plants, the American way to handle such a situation would be to have a conference of the representatives of the three factors, i.e. capital, management, and labor, which, after considering all of the facts, would determine whether to shut-down, operate part time, re- duce wages and salaries, or adopt any other course which would give the fullest recognition to the human factors involved. I believe that the greatest task to which American employers must address themselves is the devising of practical ways in which labor can be given the full recognition to which, as an equal partner, it is entitled. I make this statement with absolute confidence in the fairmindedness of the American workingman when he is fully informed and is entirely free to act. If I did not have this confidence I would despair of the future of our free institutions. In an address delivered by me in 1915 I said: “The individual workman, dependent on his own strength and resources, cannot hope to bargain on equal terms with the corporation. If he cannot do so, he is no longer a free man, but a serf; and the serf has no place in the future of America.” I believe, therefore, that one of the first steps neces- sary to inspire the workmen with confidence is the sincerity of the employers’ recognition of the proper status of labor, in the adoption of a fair system of collective bargaining. I also believe that in the near future the workmen must become partners through some system of profit- sharing. No scheme could be adopted which would be applicable to all business, as each particular company would have to adapt the general idea to its own peculiar conditions. I will not enlarge on this idea, which is too impor- tant to dismiss lightly, except to say that in any such partnership, while the economic needs of the human factors must always be recognized in preference to property rights, the workmen must have a real stake in the enterprise, probably through the investment of his savings in the stock. Choice Between Democracy and Serfdom But, some of you may say, “We don’t want to have .anything to do with your so-called industrial democ- THE IRON AGE November 11, 1924) racy; we are satisfied with the present systen prefer to continue as we are.” My answer to this is that human relations a, static, but dynamic, and unless I am entirely mi as to the direction and force of the tide which running so strongly in human affairs, your choi not lie between the present system of industria] , and industrial democracy. American industry has come to the parting ways; on the right is the road that leads direct dustrial democracy. This road has some heavy g; and a higher degree of skill will be required to dr it, but it will bring us out into Peace Valley. On the left is a road also deviating from th road by which we have come, but it is eunningly can flaged so as to seem to be the natural continu of the main highway. It leads directly to indu feudalism; to that social condition predicted by Hila selloc in his book, “The Servile State,” in whic] workers voluntarily sacrifice freedom in retur: comfortable maintenance and safety. From this second road there is also a by which is now being trodden by Russia, and toward w not only our British brethren but a considerable nu of American workmen are being tempted to stray. In other words, the choice lies between dem on one hand and serfdom or chaos on the other. Let me again quote Andrew Carnegie, who said his “Problems of To-day”: “Revolutionary socia is successfully to be combated only by promptly ceding the just claims of moderate men.” To Counteract Present Tendencies to counteract the These things seem To sum up, what can be done tendencies which I have described? to me to be entirely practicable: 1. Place our industries on a more democratic basis, giving recognition to management and labor, as equal partners with capital. 2. Teach democracy in our schools and colleges as thoroughly as we teach arithmetic, so that it will per- meate every phase of human life, politically and in- dustrially. It is a constant source of wonder to me to find so many persons in all walks of life who have no real conception of the vital principles of democracy. Life, in its truest and most virile sense consists largely in making choices, and, like the traveler before the Sphinx, we must answer correctly or be destroyed. I am not looking forward to the new era of indus- trial democracy as a period of peace and serenity, but rather as a time in which the way has been cleared for a further toilsome climb up the spiral of evolution. I am hopeful that our generation will guess the sphinx riddle, and that “Out of this nettle, danger, will pluck the flower, safety.” Boston Mechanical Engineers Celebration The Boston section of the American Society Mechanical Engineers commemorated the birthday of the society Nov. 5 at the City Club, a few more than 250 members and guests attending. Charles T. Main, past president of the society, presided at the dinner, and in his opening address gave some interesting facts concerning the history and purpose of the organization. He admitted feeling reasonably certain that Governor Calvin Coolidge, as vice-president of the United States, will be more receptive to offers of engineering associa- tion service than vice-presidents of the past. Following his opening address Mr. Main introduced two intensifying phonograph records, the invention of f William H. Bristol, Waterbury, Conn., a member of the society, which transposed words of welcome from the president, Fred J. Miller, and a past president, Dr. Ira N. Hollis, Worcester Polytechnic Institute. These records were demonstrated here and at other birthday celebrations for the first time in public. Francis W. Dean talked on the early days of the society, giving many amusing sidelights on the char- acteristics of some of the members in the ’80s, includ- ing Corliss and Porter of engine fame; Henry R&. Worthington, a pioneer in the water pump field; A. L- Holley, who, he said, introduced the Bessemer method November 11, 1920 production into this country; G. E. Strong, vented the first machine in this country for corrugated furnaces, and also the first feed- heaters; and John Fritz, who introduced the ree-high rolling mill into this country and built thlehem Steel plant. Lantern slides showed the yuarters of the society in New York and the presidents of the organization. Ek. Baird, Caines Institute, followed with a black- talk on sciences in vogue B. C. 200 to 1000, and ey applied to present-day methods. He was d by La Rue Vredenburgh, Edison Electric iting Co., of Boston, who brought out the value ting business customers with consideration and ss. John R. Freeman told about recent engi- ng developments in China and the Far East. National Founders’ Meeting e annual meeting of the National Founders’ As- n, to be held at the Hotel Astor, New York, 17 and 18, will be featured by the following ad- es at the Wednesday afternoon and Thursday ses- Relationship of the Stock Exchange to Industry,” rd Meeker, New York Stock Exchang trial Relations in Arsenals of Ordnance Depart ed States Army,” by Col, T. C. Dickso com- fficer, Watertown Arsenal, Watertown, Ma Labor and Transportation in New York.” (;ordon Merritt, issociate counsel League f I Rights inization on the Screen,” by C. C. Pettijohr \ \ Open Shop Movement in the Southwest,” 1 W S m ag Mosher Mfg. Co., Dallas, Tex der? Foundry Equipment,” by Joseph J Wil inager, Saginaw Products Co central foundry of General Motors Corporation, Saginaw, Mich tion pictures having a bearing on foundry prob- will conclude the Wednesday afternoon session. Wednesday morning session will be given up as | to the reports of President William H. Barr, Com- mer A. E. McClintock and Secretary J. M. Taylor. \. Emery, counsel National Industrial Council, Washington, is scheduled for an address on “The ‘rogress of the Open Shop.” As has been usual for years, a buffet luncheon will be served to mem- s and guests in the intermission between the two sions of the day. On Wednesday evening will occur nvention dinner. The executive meeting of the administrative council be held at 10 a. m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16, and the al alumni dinner for past and present members of administrative council will occur on Tuesday even- Material Handlers of A. S. M. E. Elect Officers By letter ballot, sent out by the organizing commit- f the Materials Handling Section, American So- ty of Mechanical Engineers, the following members been elected to the executive committee of the on: Chairman, Robert M, Gates, engineer at Phil- phia of the Lakewood Engineering Co.; Harold V. , Who specializes in industrial engineering, plant de- pment and rehabilitation; F. A. Wardenberg, direct- engineer, Du Pont Powder Co.; Nathan C. John- ‘onsulting concrete engineer, formerly engineer th the Raymond Concrete Pile Co.; and Kern Dodge, sulting engineer on industrial power plants, for- associated with Charles Day and at one time with Link-Belt Co. Will Soon Blow in Furnace the St. Louis Coke & Chemical Co., Granite City, iS practically completed 40 of 80 coke ovens under truction and a 600-ton blast furnace, and is now g them preparatory to putting them into opera- The coke plant will produce metallurgical coke 100 per cent Illinois coal. Part of the coke will | in the blast furnace. The major part of the pig produced will be shipped as hot metal to the plant National Enameling & Stamping Co. in the vicin- nd the remainder will be sold on the open market. THE IRON AGE 1255 Landis Machine Co. Opens New Shop The Landis Machine Co., Waynesboro, Pa., was host to about 1400 employees and their families, Oct. 30; at the opening of a new shop, 146 x 308 ft., completely fireproof. No machines had been installed and the in- terlor was hung with Hallowe’en decorations and ar- rangements made for dancing and an entertainment. The roof of the new shop is from 4 to 6 in. thick and composed of Keystone gypsum. Windows throughout the building are of ribbed glass and set in steel sash. The interior of the building is painted white, with pipes, radiators and electric conduits in blue, maroon and black, the standard colors adopted for use through- out the plant. A septic plant for sanitary drainage has been installed J. G. Benedict, treasurer, outlined the history of the company from its incorporation in 1903 to take over the plant of the Smith Mfg. Co., which consisted of one building, 80 x 100 ft., to the completion of the latest addition. Mr. Benedict also described briefly the line of tools which the company manufactures and the addi- tions to the line which were made from year to year He spoke particularly of A. B. Landis as the man who conceived the long life die, which he worked on for many years and which was finally brought to a success ful completion by Mr. Fisher of the company, who had worked with Mr. Landis on the experiments. Abundant Coal Supply for Detroit DETROIT, Nov. 8.—Coal wholesalers report that De- troit and Michigan industries and public utilities have loaded up with power coal to the extent of storage space and that there will be no such great demand for coal, ith temporary shut-downs and curtailments of pro duction, as has been the case the last four winters. In Detroit, industrial and utility supplies are esti mated at from three to 10 months surplus over imme- diate needs. The normal requirements of Detroit for industrial and domestic consumption run about 1000 ‘ars a day, but until a few months ago no such quan tity of coal had come into the city for more than two years. Consequently, it is not to be wondered at that the plants this year set out to get all the coal they could at whatever price it was necessary to pay. One day recently the Ford Motor Co. had 1700 cars of coal on tracks, and other concerns, like the Packard Motor Car Co. and the Dodge Brothers Co. had 500 to 750 cars. It is reported that the Ford company paid anywhere from $7 to $15 a ton for coal that formerly or less. The Detroit industries did not work together, and consequently bid against each other in the market, while the operators reaped the benefit of this lack of co-operation. On the other hand, the utili- ties commissioned wholesalers to buy power coal at the mines and set a maximum price, with the result that they obtained their coal as low as $4.75 a ton, and the supply came so fast that they were forced to call a halt on deliveries. cost $2 Fine Record for Production What is believed to be a record iron production dur- ing a continuous run has been established by “A” blast furnace in the East Youngstown group of the Youngs- town Sheet & Tube Co., Youngstown, Ohio, which turned out 1,110,637 tons of pig iron from March 14, 1915, to Nov. 6, 1920. The stack is still operating. During the period mentioned, it was banked three times, for a few days at a time, owing to fuel shortage or labor disturbance, but the fires were never allowed to go out. This furnace was originally put in commis- sion Nov. 3, 1908, and operated continuously until April 21, 1911. Operation was resumed June 8, 1911, and continued until Nov. 14, 1914, after which the record run was started the following spring. ts aggregate iron production has been 2,129,188 tons. The Waynesboro, Pa., foundry of the Emerson- Brantingham Co. has been closed indefinitely. Molders formerly employed in the plant are leaving Waynes- boro for employment in other sections. 1256 Splitting Steel in Forging How it is possible for a splitting to occur in the center of generally sound steel bars was discussed briefly in a comprehensive paper on billets for drop forging operations presented by Harry Brearly of Brown Bayley’s Steel Works, Ltd., Sheffield, England, before a joint meeting of the West of Scotland Iron and Steel Institute and the Association of Drop Forg- ers and Stampers held at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, March 24. The author touched on imperfec- tions as they arise from defects originally in the ingots, from mistakes in the reheating of the ingot and from bad rolling or forging. Much of his argument was that both producer and user have something to learn and that it may not be clear why some defects occur, and therefore honest efforts should be made to ascertain the truth. “If the steel maker were clever enough,” SPLIT CENTERS IN ROUND BARS AFTER FORGING (a) represents the. original bar (b) fracture after the bar has sectioned (c) after attempting to reduce throughout in the form of a round been properly reduced and he said, “to place defects in stampings, he would place them where they are harmless. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, leaving pipe and segregates out of ac- count, the fault is with the stamper, and when the hun- dredth case occurs it is a question of having chosen the wrong class of material for the job.” A hole in a stamping, he went on to say, may be due to piped billets or not, depending on where it oc- curs. This is obviously a special case of a defect which may be located every time in the same part of a stamping, because it occurs in the same part of each billet. A sulphur print is very good evidence in such cases. If the cavity is lined with segregates, it is probably pipe. If it is not lined with segregates, it may stil