The Iron Age 1923-03-22: Vol 111 Iss 12

THE IRON AGE New York, March 22, 1923 1855 STABLISHED — aha ko ta SRA No. 12 VOL. Ill, Making Radiators Under New Conditions Use of Tumbling Barrels an Innovation—Pouring Molds Set Three-High—Layout and Material Handling Equipment Are Features BY GILBERT L. eration in the construction of an industrial plant, for the time has passed when a manufacturer will submit to the difficulties incurred in attempting to add to a factory built without regard to possible future extensions. One reason for the world-wide fame of the Gary, Ind., works of the Indiana Steel Co., now the largest individual steel plant on the globe, lies in the fact that complete plans for its ultimate develop- ment, carefully establishing the inter-relationship of all the various units, were completed before construc- tion was started. A recent example of a plant unit built on plans pro- viding for future expansion is the new Chicago foun- dry of the Niagara Radiator & Boiler Co., North Tona- wanda, N. Y. In fact, operations were started in this unit even before it was completed, to enable the com- pany to take advantage of the heavy radiator buying which has accompanied unusual building activity in Chicago. The only radiator plant in that large metrop- olis, it has been hard pressed to supply the demand for its product ever since operations were begun in September. As fast as radiators have been assembled and inspected, automobile trucks have pulled up to the shipping platform to be loaded. Shipments by rail thus far have been almost unknown. P esi for the future are now given serious consid- Additions in Prospect Will Change Layout Only about one-half of the present plant is used for molding operations, but ultimately nearly the entire space will be used for that purpose, and machining ind assembling operations will be performed else- where. Additions in immediate prospect include a new leaning, grinding and assembly unit, 120 x 240 ft., and 130-ft. extension to the present main building (now 35 x 400 ft.), which will house a new core room. With ne completion of this program fully three-quarters f the present space will be used for molding, while ‘he molding bays will be extended 30 ft. into the core LACHER department addition. Present facilities for core mak- ing are temporary and are in use to permit production pending provision of more complete equipment. Making cores for radiators is extremely exacting. The core boxes, of cast iron, have chaplet bearings which must be ground accurately to insure a satisfac- tory radiator casting. The wall of a radiator is only 5/32 in. thick, a fact which makes it imperative that cores come to size. The core benches are of the stand- ard tube type, arranged next to the wall so that the core makers receive excellent light through the con- tinuous sash. In the new addition, core benches will be arranged next to the windows at the end of the building, and a battery of ten oil-fired core ovens will be installed. Method of Using Core Box Also as Dryer In making a core, two core boxes placed side by side are rammed with sand and struck off, following which one box is rolled over onto the other. The top box is then removed, and the lower box containing the complete core is transferred to a rack. Thus the core box serves also as a core dryer. The steel racks, placed between the core benches, where they can be filled with a minimum of exertion by the core makers, are constructed to take care of any size of core from 14 to 45 in. in length. They have a capacity of 84 long cores and double that number in some of the smaller sizes. The racks are removed to the baking ovens by electric jack-lift trucks. At present there is a battery of three ovens, each oven holding four racks. The baking time is 3 hr. A feature of the cores lies in the fact that they contain no wire or bar reinforcing; neither is any fill- ing or fitting required after they are baked. The only operation required is to run a rod around the edges to scrape off any slight fins which may be found. From the racks the baked cores are loaded into boxes, and taken by jack-lift trucks to the various longitudinal 805 4 be RG eininl ee « Fore nein R06 bays of the plant. Here the boxes are hooked onto an overhead electric traveling crane, which distributes the cores to the various molding floors. Simplicity characterizes the molding operations—a very desirable feature in a production plant. Both the cope and the drag are rammed from a single metal pattern. The joint surface of this pattern is machined down 0.012 in. to permit the edges of the cope and drag to pinch, thereby preventing fins. Thus a sand joint has been obtained, rather than the metal joint of the cope and drag sections of the flask. The core is held in place in the mold almost entirely by chaplets. In the case of a steam radiator casting, the only con- tact to the core and the mold is at one nipple opening; in a hot water radiator mold there are two points of THE IRON AGE March 22, 192 stack rests on a single bottom board—a perforat steel plate stiffened by two heavy channels at ends and angles on the sides, and furnished by Trucson Steel Co. One bottom board supports fr, six to twelve molds, depending on their size. Bef, pouring, a top plate is placed on the stack and clam are put on, holding the flasks tightly together. ( the pouring side, the stack rests on a timber wh tilts it sufficiently to insure the flow of the molt iron from the gates to the end of the molds. The sta are arranged in double rows, the gates being turn toward the intervening aisle, which is directly und an overhead monorail. The monorail system is Whiting Corporation short-turn type, which permits { molding floors to be utilized right up to each tu N S Sg ASSEMBLED ITORAGE 6 3 a ‘ Na N = sal = w Q Prep erennas Ee 7 | ' Ne) ‘ = Qa < . Fig. 1—Plan of Present _ ss = 8 e Building and Proposed ' x ee w & ' 1 ' ' ' uilding an¢ ropose: t >= OS w% 3 aq i O 50 100 150 200 250 Extensions. The letters t WA = = = { in the drawing refer t R SFr S 1 SX the following: A—Drill i i = ee . ing machines; B—Special t S ~ ' : boring and facing ma- L-..-, rocco ----- 7 r-- ~ chines; C—Grinder; D- ' 1 ' i “ Bay to be Added Tumblers; E— Test ee ee isi elem aeomeeae Lie teu deur en une atin ts benches ; F—Second test i i y 1 Box ‘y G — Office; H— Garage; ' ! T 4 STORAGE | J—Stock room ;|K—Power ee ee room; L—Toilet; M— ; 2 0 Future cupola; N—New Monorai/ a : : ] ae molding sand storage; P System vy " 2. 1 -~Present core ovens; Q 8 s 4 vez! —Present core benches ; - Ss 1 Ur- ' R—Yard crane (which 1S=5! hi ot bee srected 2 eyo Me 1ad-~=s not een erecter iced ous when the photograph on “- 1Oe- page 805 was taken); T So -Dust arrester. Heavy T CORE SAND dotted outlines are build | L _ SZORAGE 4 ings to be added at once 4} sonal iit Nae ee atid Eek light dotted outlines are iil ? Gane. a further in the future PAW MATER/AL YARD RR Siding In the detail above is elt a ies shown the relation of the jib crane and its bucket to the present and future — = = — cupolas and to the piles sienna lial aed of coke, iron and lime- tC SF i. a Aeee env stone contact, there being a nipple opening at each end. in the system. Special trolleys, consisting of two Setting the chaplets, therefore, is an operation calling for extreme care; they are set in the metal pattern and, after ramming, a lifter hoists the flask and at the same time raises wires through the pattern, which loosen the chaplets and prevent them from sticking to the pattern. The cope and drag sections of the flask are iden- tical and contain no bars except two lateral bolsters. These are bars with round heads which are laid in the mold when the flask is cast; inasmuch as the flask is poured around the bars, they are chilled against the flask casting. To prepare the floor sand for mold- ing work, a motor-driven. sand cutter, made by the American Foundry Equipment Co., takes power from sockets provided in all of the columns and in the walls f the plant. For pouring, the molds are stacked three-deep in a staggered position which exposes the gates, per- miiting each casting to be poured separately. The pairs of wheels on swivels, make a rectangular turn on the monorail in an 18-in. radius. In addition to having a monorail system, the plant is the first radiator foundry to be equipped with electric overhead traveling cranes, there being a 3%-ton Shaw crane in each of the three molding bays. These are used to distribute facing sand—almost a cubic yard per day being used on each molding floor—and, as previously pointed out, to handle cores. By the night gang they are used to pick up castings and to conve) gates, sprues, etc., to the cupola. This extensive material handling equipment per mits a maximum economy of working space. The! are no longitudinal gangways and only two running laterally. The overhead cranes take all castings ' a battery of six Whiting tumbling barrels at the middle of the building. After the heads of the chaplets have been chipped off, the castings are charged into the tumbling mills, There are practically no fins on tne March 22,.1923 \ Motor- Jib Crane Used to Charge yla Acom charge of iron and is made weighed and rged into the ola by drop- 1 bucket — stings, because of the pinch molding practice pre- uusly described. The use of tumblers is unusual a radiator foundry, where the common practice is brush the castings. The Niagara company, how- ever, believes that tumbling gives the best results, rushed manganese steel being used as an abrasive. Dust is carried away through underground pipes y a dust arrester, furnished by the W. W. Sly Mfg. Co., Cleveland. The first chamber of the arrester has steel baffles which remove all heavy particles, and in the second and third chambers dust is caught by loth sheets. The cleansed air is then discharged back the building—an essential feature of the scheme, particularly in winter, to prevent cold air from being irawn in through every crack to take the place of the * air expelled. At the same time, the returning air sets | Fig. 6—Molds are Stacked § Three Deep in a Stag i ed Position which Ex- | es the Gates so that Each Casting May Be Poured Separately. The tacks are arranged in a ible row, the gates be ng turned toward the intervening aisle, which directly under an over head monorail Fig. 5—Both the Cope and the Drag Are Rammed from a Single Metal Pattern. attern is machined down 0.012 in. to permit the edges of the cope and drag to pinch and thereby prevent fins. ‘Thie chaplets are set in the pattern; after ramming, a lifter hoists the flask, and at the same time raises wires through the pattern, which loosen the chaplets and prevent them from sticking to the pattern THE IRON AGE 807 up a desirable circulation. The air from the arrester, furthermore, is thoroughly cleansed. A freshly laun- dered handkerchief held at the mouth of the discharge duct will show no discoloration. Almost one-half of the plant is now devoted to machining, testing and assembling operations. A motor-driven carborundum double-ring wheel grinder, built by the Gardner Machine Co., Beloit, Wis., grinds the gates from the castings, and any fins which may be discovered. Two special machines, furnished by O. Bryant & Sons, Buffalo, bore and face the hub and machine the “steam-lock” lugs which space the top of the steam radiator units. In these operations, both sides of the casting are machined at once. The steam or water connections on the end castings are tapped by collapsible taps, furnished by the Murchey Ma- (See oval.) The joint surface of ihe 808 THE IRON AGE chine & Tool Co., Detroit, in a double spindle drill built by Baker Bros., Toledo. The air vents in the end eastings are drilled and tapped in an Avey double- spindle drill, made by the Cincinnati Pulley Machinery Co. The air vent of a hot water radiator is near the top of the casting, as air is lighter than water. It is toward the bottom of a steam radiator, as air is heavier than steam. Only the end or leg castings of a radiator are tapped for air vent and pipe connections. The radiators undergo two pressure tests, the first on a test bench, one unit at a time, the second after the units have been assembled into radiators. A 4 x 6- in. cylinder triplex pump, built by the Goulds Mfg. Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., with control furnished by the Electric Controller & Mfg. Co., Cleveland, maintains the testing pressure for both tests. The pressure gage control starts the pump at 105 lb. per sq. in. pressure and stops it at 120 lb., so that a pressure of from 105 to 120 lb. is assured at all times. In the test bench the radiator casting is held tightly at both ends by a special cast C-clamp, one side of which is cored out to admit water to the casting. When the radiator is assembled, the test is made by connecting hose at one end. Water which has passed through the radiators goes to a sump with filter wall, from which it is re- turned to a storage tank for re-use. All radiators made at the Chicago plant are of the “push nipple” type. Malleable iron nipples are placed in the nipple holes of the castings, which are then squeezed together over the nipple by a double-cylinder hydraulic press. Rods are then passed through the ribs of the castings and bolted tight at the ends, making a complete radiator. There are two hydraulic presses, both built in the equipment department of the company at North Tonawanda. Iron is melted in a No. 10 Whiting cupola having a shell of 96 in. outside diameter and a capacity of 20 tons an hour; but with present floor space the foundry is able to use only 60 tons of metal daily, which means two cars of finished radiators per day. A Connersville blower, driven by a 75-hp. General Electric Co. motor, delivers 45 cu. ft. of air per revo- lution, and can be run, through several sizes of pul- leys, at from 180 to 220 r.p.m. A flow meter furnished by the Bacharach Industrial Instrument Co., Pittsburgh, calibrated up to 12,000 cu. ft. per min., measures the blast; ordinarily about 8000 cu. ft. per min. is used. A gate has been provided on the main blast pipe so that, when a second cupola is installed, the blast may be diverted from one cupola to the other as desired. A Whiting Corporation 10,000-lb. motor-driven jib crane is used to charge the cupola. It is centrally located on the charging platform, so that it will serve both cupolas when the second is installed. Coke, limestone and iron are delivered on the charg- ing floor by a 10-ton overhead electric traveling crane, built by the Erie Steel Construction Co., Erie, Pa. The March 22, 1922 crane runways are 78 ft. apart, one of them bei: supported on the eave of the plant, so that the cra; passes directly over a projecting portion of the cha: ing platform. A railroad siding runs into the ma: rial yard from the New York, Chicago & St. Lo Railroad. The Illinois Central right-of-way is a near by. Iron is hoisted to the charging platform magnet, and limestone and coke by bucket. The ce is dropped in one corner of the platform, and the i) and limestone in the other, so that the materials ext: toward the center, where they can be shoveled rea into a charging bucket. A complete charge, mad of coke, limestone and iron, is weighed before be dropped into the cupola. The scale platform has bx sunk 30 in., so that the top of the bucket is ab level with the floor. This facilitates shoveling mat ria! into the bucket, which is of the drop-bottom ty and is swung into the cupola by the jib crane. A 1 hp. motor is used for hoisting, and a 3-hp. motor the jib travel. The weighmaster, who stands in ft of the bucket scale, is protected from the wind by steel monitor. Molten iron from the cupola is distributed by ha: pushed ladles, suspended from the monorail. T! monorail system is so arranged that there is no int ference between outgoing and returning ladles; lad go'ng to any one of the three molding bays tak Prche = RRS Fig. 4—In Ma a Core, Two (Cr Boxes Placed SS by Side are Ran med and Struck Off, Following Which One Box ] Rolled Over Onto the Other. The top box is then re moved, and the lower box now serving as a. core dryer, is trar ferred to a rach lateral runway along the middle gangway of the four dry, from which they turn onto the proper longitudir runway. After pouring, the ladles are passed to a! other lateral runway connecting the longitudinal ru’ ways near the end of the building. On this connecting rai!, they pass across the plant to a separate retur! longitudinal runway which carries them to a _ loop, around which they turn until they are again in pos tion in front of the cupola. Nineteen molding floor are served in this fashion but eventually, when th: core room and the assembly shop have been remov: from the present building, there will be 54 floors. Very careful analysis of raw materials is necessary, because radiators must have a close grain iron whic! will hold water readily, and will also machine easily The importance of the machining qualities of the iro! is apparent when it is realized that from 1500 to 160! castings must be bored and faced in nine hours. [| analyzing pig iron, coke, coal and sand, a chemi laboratory has been provided in space above the offic: at one end of the building. , New molding sand is stored in a concrete ta! with a capacity of six cars, located at about the midd of the foundry under the yard crane. Adjoining on the inside of the building is a mixing plant 2! overhead a steel storage tank for facing sand, fr which the sand is drawn through a hopper into box: equipped with casters. When filled, the boxes are roll: under the overhead cranes and distributed to the va rious molding floors. March 22, 1923 7—Use of Tumbling Barrels Is Unusual in a Radi: ings Crushed manganese steel is ther concrete tank, on the same side of the gy, to have a capacity of 40 cars of core sand, irt of the plan for the construction of a new partment, which is about to go ahead. This vill be roofed over and will be filled by the yard rough hatchways. Steam coils arranged around si alan alsin tHe ; ls of the tank will prevent the sand from freez- ; The storage capacity was calculated so as to 1e plant through the cold months of December lary, when it is ordinarily difficult to obtain suppiles. tooth roof construction, with continuous sash sides of the building, insure excellent light both ove and the sides. Heat is supplied by two cast ; ilers of the company’s manufacture, located in ment adjacent to the raw material yard. Each has 14,500 sq. ft. of heating surface, they being gest ever made by the company. Of the side- pe, they have eight fire doors. A vacuum sys- heating is used, the condensation of the radiators pumped back to the boilers by pumps furnished Nash Engineering Co., South Norwalk, Conn. / rete coal storage bin serving the boilers is filled : yard crane. {he present shipping floor is at the assembly shop f the building, and rail shipments go out on the ling which brings in raw materials. When the proposed extensions are built, however, there e an uninterrupted progress of materials from iw material yard to the foundry, the machine the assembly shop and the assembled storage another railroad siding will be provided for out shipments. ‘ig. 9—AIl the Radiators Are of the “Push Nipple” Type. THE IRON AGE the Common r indry used i! bras While t ts varied operations Te! factured, in 34 \ sepa Practice & tumble Being the Niagara foundry lls for output cal to Brush ee the Cast is a production plant, flexibility rate types of radiators are manu- ‘ent heights. considerable Undergo Two Water Pressure idiator ” a Test Ben i is held tightly e side of which the water for at by out ne Casting at both ends has been cored the test pressure ot. Tests, the to Time special admit Malleable iron nipples are placed in the holes of the cast- ings, which are then squeezed together over the nipples by a double-cylinder hydraulic press in t + eid og 810 THE IRON AGE Business Group Meetings Will Feature Cham- ber of Commerce Convention While transportation and European problems as they affect American business will be the general topics considered at the eleventh annual meeting of the Cham- ber of Commerce of the United States in New York, May 7 to 10, a group session will be held for each cross-section of American business. In the domestic distribution group, major topics will be “Railroad Rates in Their Relation to Distribution,” brought down to individual application in dtscussion under the heads of “Store Door Deliveries and Collections” and “Transpor- tation Obstructions to Distribution.” In the fabricated production group, “The Effect of Freight Rates on Manufacturing Costs” ties up with the main theme of the annual meeting, and “Setting Up Quality Stand- ards in Commodity Production” gives opportunity to expand the application to wasteful varieties, a problem long before American manufacturers and with a direct bearing on transportation costs. The foreign commerce group meeting plans to get at the direct application of Europe’s tangled affairs to American business, starting off with the rubber crisis and taking up the American manufacturers’ viewpoint of world affairs in such matters as cotton exporting, the petroleum production situation over the world and like aspects. Medical Service in Manufacturing Plants Dr. F. E. Schubmehl, General Electric Co., Lynn, Mass., was the speaker of the evening at the March meeting of the New England Foundrymen’s Associa- tion, held Wednesday evening, March 14, at the Ex- change Club, Boston, approximately 70 members and guests attending. Dr. Schubmehl’s address was directed mainly to statistics showing the results of medical activities in industry and their relation to the foundry, but confined largely to the General Flec- tric Co., Lynn plant. He said the company has made notable strides in increasing production im recent years by the introduction of proper lighting, especially in relation to bench work of all kinds. The company, through its medical staff, makes it a practice to examine all employees engaged in sand blast work every 30 days for the purpose of ascertaining whether workers have accumulated enough dust in lungs to warrant being placed on some other work until the defect is rectified. In relation to proper light- ing, Dr. Schubmehl admitted that while the General Electric Co. is one of the leading exponents of light, it has not obtained the best working results under proper lighting facilities until fairly recently. On bench work, for instance, where girls are employed on certain work, by a proper arrangement of lighting, the number of employees had been reduced 50 per cent while production had increased that much. It is proposed that the members of the New Eng- land Foundrymen’s Association shall visit the General Electric Co.’s Lynn plant instead of holding the usual May meeting in Boston, and that in June some of the Worcester, Mass., plants will be visited. Engineers Visit Watertown Some 200 members of the Boston.section Ameri- can Society of Mechanical Engineers and_affili- ated technical societies, cooperating manufacturers and local reserve corps officers, on Friday afternoon and evening, March 16, were the guests of Col. Tracy C. Dickson, commanding officer Watertown Arsenal, Watertown, Mass., and the staff of the arsenal. The visit was arranged by Capt. L. P. Crim, Boston District Ordnance Office. Maurice M. Osborne, Boston, headed the committee in charge of the engineers. At the foundry a demonstration of a new electric furnace was given by Maj. H. C. Hinton. Later, after visiting the woodworking department, Dr. F. C. Langenberg gave a talk on radio photographic exami- nation of metals, using a newly installed X-ray ma- chine, capable of penetrating 4 in. steel. Colonel Dick- March 22, 19: son explained the operation of a 16-in. gun in directing shop. Following a buffet supper, Brig.-Gen. W. S. Po), assistant chief of ordnance, gave an address on in trial war plans of the Ordnance Department. He that warfare material has steadily grown in import: and complexity, so that the problem of providing ¢ quantities of the many mechanical devices equals of developing man-power. “It may be safely said, explained, “that the first twelve months of a war be fought with the stock of munitions on hand at time of declaration. No appreciable quantities of » tion can reach the front before the end of that per The world war showed the industrial resource: this country can be marshaled to advantage, but not be handled from a central point. French International Foundry Congress The American Foundrymen’s Association committ: on international relations has sent out an announce ment of a proposed trip to the French Internatior Foundry Congress and Exposition at Paris, Sept 13, 14 and 15, 1923. The announcement offers itineraries for the trip over. The first one propos leaving New York Aug. 18, arriving London Aug. 2 Seventeen days would be spent in England visiting dustrial centers and places of historical interest. Itinerary No. 2 proposes leaving New York Aug 25, arriving at London Sept. 1, with a reception to | given in the evening of that day, and then spending 10 days in touring England. Whichever itinerary chosen, the date for leaving London for Paris will ! the same, Tuesday, Sept. 11. The official reception at the Paris convention wil be held on the afternoon of Sept. 12, with a session in the English language on Thursday morning and ban- quet on Friday evening. An exposition will be held in Ecole des Arts et Metiers (Arts and Trades School), and is to be open from Sept. 6 to 14. American manu- facturers of foundry equipment are invited to make exhibits. Information regarding exhibits can be ob- tained by writing to the Association Technique de Fonderie, 10 Rue de Lancry, Paris. Following the French Congress and Exposition, ten or eleven days will be spent in touring France, Luxemburg and Belgium, visiting industrial centers and battlefields, with a reception by the Belgian Foundrymen’s Association at Liége. A strong com- mittee has been formed among the London technica: societies to assure the Americans a hearty welcome. All arrangements for the A. F. A. party are being made by the committee on international relations, of which H. Cole Estep, London, England, is chairman, and Stanley G. Flagg, Jr., of Philadelphia, vice-chair man. All reservation forms and requests for infor- mation should be addressed to Stanley G. Flagg, Jr., Morris Building, Philadelphia. Mr. Flagg urges prompt reply, as it is very important that arrange- ments be completed at an early date in order that return passage may be secured. An invitation is ex- tended to all foundrymen of the United States and Canada to join the party. Successor to Bayonne Steel Casting Co. Eastern Steel Castings is the corporate name of 4 company recently organized to acquire the Bayonne Steel Casting Co., Bayonne, N. J., also the new plant at Newark, N. J., built in war time for the American Brake Shoe & Foundry Co. for the manufacture 0! steel castings. The business heretofore carried on at Bayonne will be removed to Newark. The personne! 0! the organization is chiefly that which carried on the operations of the Bayonne Steel Casting Co. The plant at Newark has a capacity of 12,000 tons of open-heart) electric steel castings a year. There are three main buildings on an 80-acre tract. William D. Sargent '° president, Arthur J. Singer, vice-president and treas- urer, and among other directors are James S. Thomp- son, vice-president American Brake Shoe & Foundry Co., and Wesley G. Nichols, president American Man- ganese Steel Co. Cerman Steel Makers on the Ruhr Outcome Confident France Will Lose Most by Continued Occupation, But Predict Good Results from Cooperation on Iron Ore and Fuel BY CAPT. GODFREY L. CARDEN BERLIN, GERMANY, Feb. 20.—Since the occupation the Ruhr by the French I have had occasion to serve the possible effects of that move both on Con- ental iron and steel business and on our own exports. forcing of a French-German combination operated trained and experienced German industrialists and trolled from Paris has far-reaching possibilities. The Germans all along have contended that France nore concerned with a control of the Rhine and r industries than with reparations. In this con- ion I have had an interview with Dr. Reichert, i ember of the Reichstag and general director of the tral Union of German Iron and Steel Industries. Reichert’s statement was reduced to writing fol- wing a conference on Feb. 19. To understand its ortance it should be borne in mind that all matters ndustrial policy and public policy are controlled he organizations in which the steel and iron indus- are bound. Such organizations in Germany are ong in their management. I am giving extracts m Dr. Reichert’s observations which relate to eco- omic and industrial consequences of the Ruhr occu- ition: : ‘The consequences of the French invasion of the tuhr district are not confined to western Germany. sefore there were any limitations of traffic in the Ruhr and Rhine districts, both French and Belgians had en obliged to blow out dozens of furnaces and to lown at steel works, owing to the German sus- pension of reparations supplies in coke. This proves early that France and Belgium are now and will be some time to come dependent on German good-will. German Plants That Are Not Shut Down ‘On the German side only a few blast furnaces ve been blown out so far. Part of the Westphalian : and Silesian coke production still remains free for / the furnaces of central Germany, while the blast fur- naces on the coasts of the North Sea and the Baltic ire still getting their coke from England. It will be nore difficult, however, to supply the less important orks in south Germany with coke if no fuel comes om Czecho-Slovakia and the Saar district. The ore estion, however, and this refers to all blast furnaces, been solved for about half a year threugh our output and the arrangements for imports. The is the same as regards scrap. However, there be disastrous results (after the iron blockade has asted several months) for unoccupied Germany, as cent of the iron and steel industry is within territory occupied by the French and only 30 per free. The case is different for the industries vorking up steel and iron. Of these 60 per cent are in ree territory whereas only 40 per cent are in occupied tory. France is now trying to use this situation orce Germany to her knees. But Germany has eat assets in iron, with import possibilities from the : district, from Luxemburg, Austria, Czecho-Slo- ikia, Poland, Sweden, England and last but not least m the United States. The extension of importa- ns and the maintenance of employment, therefore, epend to a large degree on payment and credit. Eng- ‘nd has already granted large credits and Czech busi- ess is likewise going on briskly. “The loss incurred by German industry through disorganizing methods of the French and the Bel- per ‘Teen: tee articles in the series Captain Carden is writing , RON AGE from observations on a European trip “en began in January were entitled “Present Plight of man Shipbuilding” (issue of Feb 15. D. 472) and “To. Products of the Krupp Plants” (issue of March 15, Ss) : 11 gians will work to the advantage of the other iron countries of the world; likewise, the loss incurred by French and Belgian industries through the non-delivery of German coke will benefit other mining countries. It is quite obvious that English trade is enlivened. The number of unemployed people in England is diminished. The Americans might also claim to profit by the Ruhr occupation, in that they are getting busi- ness which would be given to Europe under different conditions. They now receive Dutch, Spanish, Danish, Swiss and other orders, thus adding to the favorable market conditions in the United States. Shipments of Wabana Ore Stop “It is a question whether France or Germany will suffer the greater loss. It is certain that neither will be able to endure this state of things much longer. The inflation of notes does not increase the purchasing power of the population; it only tends to add to their misery. Germany today is able to buy only what she really wants for her daily bread and employment. An interesting example is before us: Germany cannot con- tinue to buy Wabana ores from Newfoundland after April, 1923, and thousands of miners there may be thrown out of employment. “The destruction of the German economic machine is all the more deplorable since the Germans through many centuries have established a strong position both as purchaser of raw materials and as manufacturer of industrial goods. What French-German Cooperation Might Do “Neither France nor any other country can be in- terested in destroying the German machinery of pro- duction. It is, therefore, advisable to come to a peace- ful understanding rather than to view the possible end of this Ruhr dispute. For it is an established fact that France has not sufficient personnel or experience to direct and carry on the complicated and enormous organism of the Ruhr district or further exploit it. When we contemplate the possibilities in the produc- tion of France’s ore riches when combined with Ger- man coal mines, and the great number of workmen ready to work—all accustomed to discipline and mod- ern organization—such a combination under the man- agement of experienced German industrialists would mean a German-French mining industry which might well endanger England’s world position in that line and go so far as to spell loss to American exports. One has only to consider the poor life of German laborers as a result of the Versailles Treaty, the fact that the German mines are only a few kilometers distant from French ore supplies, and the excellent lines of communication by railroad and water, to see what low costs could be reached. Under such a combination it would not be necessary to have an export premium such as France now pays in order to command foreign markets. “The world cannot look idly at the destruction of Germany, nor would it consider a Continental iron and coal trust under French management desirable. The effort was made at Versailles to find a new industrial balance for the European Continent by giving to France the whole of the Lorraine ore fields and de- priving Germany of the greater part of her ore, while leaving her a great part of her coal mines. This plan of dividing raw material and production was agreed to at Versailles and is now obstructed solely by France and Belgium. To this encroachment the formerly allied powers cannot possibly agree, since international traffic ge Me or DS a . er aT a stanton entnaite 812 cannot endure in the long run a continued violent dis- turbance of the iron trade in the Ruhr district and on the European Continent.” Plans of German Steel Makers to Meet the Situation I am able also to give the views of the Northwest Group of German iron and_ steel manufacturers (Nordwestliche Gruppe des Vereins Deutscher Eisen und Stahlindustrieller) as expressed by Dr. Beumer for that association. The greater number of the plants making up this group are located in the Ruhr and in occupied territory on the Rhine. “Although France,” says Dr. Beumer, “is always asserting that the present occupancy of the Ruhr has no military character, and that the French will re- frain from any disturbing interference in the economic life, the fact remains that a strong military control was established over all the people. Because of the unexpected obstinacy encountered as a protest from all the people, the French issued a prohibition on ex- ports of iron and metal of any kind and under any form. Railroad Paralysis the Main Factor “But these prohibitions are of no importance since the paralysis of the traffic lines renders the transpor- tation of coal and iron from the Ruhr to unoccupied Germany entirely impossible. On Feb. 13 traffic on Ruhr railroads ceased and French efforts to help out with their own personnel have come to nothing. The French purpose to control all railroad traffic will not be successful. “A traffic so comvlicated as that in the Ruhr can- not be easily handled, Dr. Beumer thinks, even disre- garding the fact that the French may not have at hand the necessary number of men for maintenance and the further fact that the railroad equipment is different from what they are accustomed to. He con- cludes that all traffic will soon stop within the newly occupied territory, with the result that the Ruhr basin will be entirely cut off from the rest of Germany. “How systematically the French are accomplishing this isolation,” says Dr. Beumer, “is proved by the recent occupation of Wesel and Emmerich. They now have in their grasp the important railroad line for the routes, England-Holland-Hamburg-Berlin. Up to now this line was the only important one that was free in the Rhine-Westphalian communications. But they have taken possession of the Lippe exit, port Wesel and the large frontier port of Emmerich. This last gives them customs control and the definitive su- pervision of the in and out transport between Germany and Holland, as well as to England, Scandinavia and other overseas countries.” Unoccupied Districts Adopt Counter Measures Asked as to the effect of these enforced measures upon the economic life of the occupied territory and upon unoccupied Germany, Dr. Beumer said: “Doubt- less the French wish to starve the unoccupied terri- tory, paralyze all industry, and in this way break the resistance of the Government and the people. For the industries of the unoccupied territory the coal ques- tion is not so serious, even if, in consequence of coal shortage, some enterprises may be forced to close down. With the delivery of so-called re-established coal, the general requirements can be considerably supplied. The coal miners, in view of the seriousness of the present situation, are now working overshifts, and this intensive working will continue until the crisis ends. “The brown coal miners of Central Germany are working night and day in three shifts, inclusive of Sundays. In the Lower Silesian pit-coal mines the miners have added for each shift one overtime hour, and similar action is being taken in nearly all other coal territories. The Government railroads are using English coal, as are also some of the industrial works, especially the maritime works. Considering that only one-sixteenth of the Ruhrland mines are situated in the unoccupied territory, it is clear that the economic THE IRON AGE March 22, 192: life of unoccupied Germany can be maintained . through recourse to the auxiliary fuel. The sam, true in providing unoccupied Germany with iron ; steel products for working up. The export prohibit is directed against the industries of such territ which depend so largely for their iron and stee| quirements on the Ruhr region. In future it wi! impossible to transport iron and steel products unoccupied Germany from the Ruhr. “While this prohibition on exports will have a effect, yet the industries were not taken by surn; and up to the last all possible deliveries were m from the Ruhr, so that there is more iron and s: in unoccupied Germany now than ever before. In « petent circles it is believed that the iron provision { unoccupied Germany will suffice so long as the Lot ringen [Lorraine] works can hold out against a famine. Drawing on Other Districts “It must not be overlooked that other produ territories will be drawn upon, as Upper Silesia, midd Germany, and the coast works. By securing Eng!i coal the pig iron and steel outputs can be maintain in a satisfactory way. Finally, the foreign countri: will not overlook the opportunity to send iron and ste: to Germany. In particular, recourse can be had Czecho-Slovakia, whose industry, in consequence of th high rate of the domestic kronen, is in a difficult posi tion ard would be glad to make deliveries to German) The same statement holds true with reference to Au tria. “The situation in the newly occupied territory is not wholly favorable. Because of the occupancy, the coa requirements have diminished, but the stopping of the delivery will mean the piling up of the coal in workings as a result of the closing of leads, and with it will come a gradual paralyzing of the mine work, making im possible all further coal handling. “It all comes down to the question of how long the German industries can keep going. The monetary question has to be considered, and it means that the enterprises must sacrifice millions in supporting their independence. Only by doing so can work be continued. It means that coal must be imported, as well as work ing stock, and that a sufficient quantity of work must be at hand at all times. The entire industry is greatly dependent on the restoration of a regular traffic in the Ruhrland. “But,” concludes Dr. Beumer, “if even the worst happens, the strong and firm will of the German people will still remain. Precautions were taken that th workmen in casc of unemployment would receive th: necessary food, and that sriall enterprises be kept go ing. So the unity of the people will not suffer.” Trademarks; Trade Names; Unfair Compe- tition In a 48-page pamphlet issued by Richards & Geier, 277 Broadway, New York, the subject of trademarks in the United States and in foreign countries is given attention, this being the third edition of the work The booklet makes clear the proper use of trademarks and gives a number of examples of valid marks, as we as defining marks which are invalid. The questions of unfair competition and of duration of the right use a trademark are taken up and discussed in som detail, as well as many other features of their us Charges for trademarks in foreign countries are tabu lated. Domestic sales of oak leather belting reported the Leather Belting Exchange for February, and repre senting about 60 per cent of the total product, amount to 438,006 Ib. valued at $814,692, or an average of $!.° per lb. This is to be compared with January’s figur« of 517,636 Ib. valued at $928,122, or an average of $1! per lb., and with the sales of February, 1922, when t! amount was only 314,054 Ib. valued at $524,157, or $1. per lb. Little Danger of Radical Bills Passing Numerous Congressional Blocs Not Expected to Succeed in Their Plans—Much Agitation and Little Law Making Probable Features of Next Session BY L. W. WASHINGTON, March 20.—Forecasts of legislation ‘ it the next session of Congress beginning in December being made in increasing number. The admitted idical character of many of its members as the result f the political upset at the elections of last November is given a certain added allurement, if not enjoy- ent, to the practice of predicting the legislative trend. There are those who have figured out that the radicals occupy a position of dominance. On its face the ilation is quite simple and logical. But politics : so capable of taking such sudden and unexpected sts that calculations regarding them often go awry. ere can be no reasonable doubt that the next Con- ss will be surfeited with perhaps more radically eeping and freak bills of all kinds and complica- ns than any previous Congress in the history of the intry. While the business interests of the country uld by no means treat the situation too lightly, at same time it is possible to take it too seriously. Much, if not all, proposed legislation of this kind will for political purposes, rather than any hope of its a ictment. Imaginary Power The farm bloc, the organized labor bloc, the pacifist , and all sorts of other blocs, probably will be striv- ng to outdo themselves in an effort to show evidence f power and at the outset may imagine themselves be closely associated and with identical interests. Were this actually to be the case, the radicals easily ild sway legislation, but it is clearly seen that in iny cases the so-called interests of these many blocs be in frequent conflict and that they will be ren- ered much more nearly powerless than many imagine be the case. As a matter of fact, there is dis- greement among members of the farm bloc already. Senator Brookhart of Iowa has just come out with a reed to show that the recent Congress did nothing for the agricultural interests. At the same time, the eader of the farm bloc, Senator Capper of Kansas, ied statements showing the wonderful things that recent Congress had done for the agricultural in- rests. The organized labor bloc has been compara- ely quiet, but the fact remains that, for instance, attitude on immigration is in sharp conflict with of the farm bloc, the latter, ike manufacturing terests, favoring liberalization rather than further striction of the 3 per cent law. This is only a straw show which way the wind blows. It merely is a rerunner to many probable conflicts among the blocs. Moreover, it is apparent that attempts to force through idical legislation may mean a union of conservative ‘rces of the Democrats and Republicans. ¢ Deadlocks Probable With a probable course of this kind, it is easier to lieve that the next Congress, rather than passing a of legislation, will be able only to attempt such egislation, and in fact will be deadlocked in many nstances. Moreover, if legislation of a radical char- ter should pass Congress, it is not to be forgotten ‘hat it would face a veto at the hands of the conserva- tive Republican President and that his veto would find sufficient support in Congress to prevail. So, in the end, the country probably will be deluged with all 813 MOFFETT sorts of radical talk and attempted radical action in Congress, and perhaps will witness from that source and through the different selfish blocs a veritable orgy of political bigotry. Revenue Legislation In view of the foregoing, there need be no surprise at the statement of Senator Smoot, Republican, of Utah, who will be chairman of the Committee on Finance, and Representative Green, Republican, of Iowa, who will be chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, that there probably will be no legislative relief from the present revenue laws. It is believed that Secretary of the Treasury Mellon will renew his recommendation in favor of a reduction of 25 to 30 per cent in the surtax rates, which now range as high as 50 per cent, but it is not believed that the recom- mendation will be given any favorable consideration. It is evident that there is a tendency among conserva- tive Republic leaders in Congress, who will held pivotal positions as heads of powerful committees, to discour- age talk of reduction of any kind in taxes. It is gen- erally conceded that the condition of the Treasury it- self will not make this practicable. Back of this is the well-known fact that the different blocs not only will stand strongly against reductions in taxes for busi- ness interests, but on the contrary, it is plain that they propose among other things the restoration of high surtaxes and excess profit taxes. The National Association of Manufacturers has already made this forecast. It also forecasts attempts at further legislation designed to promote the idea that Government ownership is. the only solution for transportation difficulties; commissions to regulate and control the coal and petroleum industry and generally a system of licensed control for many or all forms of business. The rather gloomy picture painted by the National Association undoubtedly is justified so far as attempts of radicals in the next Congress are concerned, but it has been pointed out that proposing is one thing and disposing is another. In other words, while business will be subjected to all sorts of attacks, which will have their harmful effects, it is not believed that the blocs will fare as successfully as they pretend they will. J. C. Wicks, who has been district sales manager of the Brier Hill Steel Co. in Cleveland, together with R. D. MacKenzie and E. M. Updegraff, who have been associated with him in the Cleveland district, have opened an office at 1144 Hanna Building, Cleveland, under the name of J. C. Wicks & Co., and will do a brokerage business in iron and steel and will also do a wholesale business in coal. Mr. Wicks has been indenti- fied with the sales end of the sheet steel industry in the Central West for the past twenty years. He was con- nected with the Gary Iron & Steel Co. before it was taken over by the Brier Hill Co. The 1922 payroll of the Newton Steel Co., Youngs- town, operating a sheet mill property at Newton Falls in Trumbull County, Ohio, was $1,223,476, compared with $875,006 in 1921. The number of men employed average 748, against 614 the previous year. « Se. Heavy Decline in [ron and Steel Exports January Figures 20,420 Tons Below December—Ruhr Influence Slight—Rails, Structural Steel, Bars and Pipe Lead in Tonnage WASHINGTON, March 20.—Iron and steel exports in January totaled 129,753 gross tons, as compared with 150,170 tons in December, a decline of 20,420 tons. The decrease in the January shipments, whose value was $14,865,590, was not unexpected. The principal Following are the countries to which the principal ton ages of exports of leading steel products were sent in nuary, 1923, and the seven months Gross Tons ~ Seven January Months Ended Gialvanized Sheets 1923 January, 1923 (Canada 1,788 16,761 Philippine Islands 893 7,464 tritish India 669 2,330 Cuba 657 3.104 Colombia +70 2,188 Mexico 15 3,047 Black Steel Shee Canada 647 28,175 Japan 876 17,564 Tin Plate Japan 2,538 10,137 Canada 1,801 10,871 Steel Rails Chosen (Korea) (.d11 17,329 Honduras 2 .eo0 4,541 Japan 1.978 48,737 Cuba 1,357 25,020 Canada 1 9,822 Mexico | 4,283 Barbed Wire West Indies 1,024 5,590 Australia S00 5,269 Colombia 652 3,694 Brazil 640 9,161 Argentina 92 7,138 reason assigned is the sold up con lition of the Ameri- ‘an iron and steel industry in the domestic market and ts lack of