The Iron Age 1927-06-23: Vol 119 Iss 25

THE IRON AGE New York, June 23, 1927 ESTABLISHED 1855 119, No. J Pay Incentive, Reduction Material Hauling and Close Buying—Large Saving Inventories BURNHAM the purchase raw material and the placing orders for finished products permanent committee from the sales, purchasing and factory de- partments largely responsible for reducing per cent, during the past year, material process manufacture the Jeffrey Mfg. Co., Co- lumbus, Ohio. Factors contributing increased efficiency are the operation premium system paying employees, conservation movement material within the plant, and the effective use modern tools—matters which require presentation first that complete compre- hension the Jeffrey method may obtained. Special Bonus System Adopted compensate properly those employees showing the greatest efficiency turning out good work the least cost, the company for number years has paid, addition regular hourly rate, what termed “gain-sharing rate” for all jobs completed satis- factory manner. Conditions governing the payment the latter have been outlined the company, that misunder- standing may occur. The foreman must approve job completed, his and the inspector’s entire satis- faction. allowance made for bad material *Cincinnati editor THe IRON AGE. defective workmanship any previous operation, un- less pointed out the foreman and indorsed the rate man soon discovered. -On account the impossibility testing certain parts soon they are finished, the company reserves the right deduct from future pay such “gain-sharing” pay may have been advanced any work that proves de- fective upon final test. This last qualification necessary, because all premiums are paid the first regular pay-day following the completion the work. Under this system, each pay-day every employee receives sheet which detailed the work has done and the amount money has earned. The names the pieces, the operations performed, the order numbers, the total hours and other pertinent data are listed. For each operation, well for the aggregate all jobs, the total time limit allowed compared with the actual time taken the workman, the hours lost gained being set down. The number hours absent and the total hours worked are re- corded. The value the “day work” regular hourly wages and the bonus then are figured. Constituting written history the work done each employee, the sheet just described workmen see how efficient they are. machine operator complains that not being promoted rap- idly enough, not receiving wages which thinks entitled, any controversy avoided immediate reference the sheet which contains | 7 . 7 | 1803 Battery locomotives, with Short Trains Industrial Cars, Transport Material the Machine Shop. Turn- tables, one which shown, make possible the transfer cars from one track another record his association with the Jeffrey organization. sembled, bored, turned and faced ready for heat The figures speak for themselves. ing space ft. long and ft. wide. These operations are carried such compact space that Shortening Distance Materials Are Moved trucking required, any necessary movement Recent changes the location various depart- material being handled jib cranes. ments the main shop have not only expedited pro- For the manufacture mining machine chain links duction, but also have minimized the distance which special department set aside. practically material process manufacture must move. For self-contained unit, since all operations the process example, locomotive split gears are milled, drilled, as- making chain links heat treating are per- ~ Among the Modern Machine Tools 1804—June 23, 1927, The Iron Age Which Have Improved Battery Motor-Driven Lathes formed within this department, the equipment which almost every type machine tool. For transporting material about the plant, espe- ially inter-departmental hauls, well coordinated plan followed. Battery locomotives, made the company, are used haul short trains industrial ars, the capacity which about tons each. (See head article.) This railroad connects all depart- ments, and definite schedule deliveries main- tained. Its tracks run the length and width the main machine shop. Two turntables make possible the transfer cars from one track the other. When quick movement material imperative, truck-tractors are used. They are “emer- squad” ready respond calls from any part the plant. haul light castings and other especially within given department, handlift trucks are the most efficient carriers. Production Control and Scheduling Important factor reducing the processing time the method which production controlled. The stores office, with permanent committee advisory capacity supply orders, enters all stock orders. This committee, consisting the production supervisors, the service manager and the store keeper, convenes twice each week discuss the placing de- tail orders for rough and finished material, and the proper scheduling operations meet delivery dates. Shop orders are divided into three groups, fol- lows: 1—Stock orders; 2—Machine orders; 3—Repair part orders. The first named for standard parts for assembling equipment the plant and for sup- plying customers. From past experience the average quantity order and the time necessary fill are determined. When sent the planning depart- ment, 30-day order carries suffix the form fig- ires telling the month when ready for stock. instance, .06 after the order number indicates that finished the end June, the sixth month. routing departments and machines, well the time limits, there are any, are shown the Repair part orders apply only old type machine irts which are made they are desired cus- mers, while machine orders are for assembled ma- hines, either standard special. The production department makes for each order material demand card, route card and move card. the case route cards various colors are used designate different kinds orders. express order, for example, identified yellow card, which shows that preferential order. This route ticket con- tains pertinent data regarding the kind stock used, the consecutive routing from machine ma- chine, and the final delivery date. Each department through which order must pass furnished with copy the order and schedule A partment for the Manufacture Mining Machine Chain Links Consti- tutes Self-Con- tained Unit. Here all operations heat treating are performed. its equipment repre- sented almost every known type ma- chine tool. haul light castings and other material with- the department handlift trucks are most efficient card stating the time the material will arrive and the date completion. When machine operator ready start job, takes the route ticket the time clerk, who punches the time card and makes out move card. also posts the number pieces and the start- ing date the department’s order. Upon completion the job, the move cards are filed office con- venient the production department, which, case material process manufacture delayed, can find the last move any piece and ascertain the cause. Plant Functions Move Smoothly Beneficial results, caused either directly indi- rectly the reduction the working process time, are manifold. has made possible the more intelligent placing orders for raw and finished material. Greater output has been attained without increasing the number employees, and the filling rush orders, together with their prompt dispatch customers, has been facilitated. Indeed, the entire reins production control have been tightened such way not only add the efficiency each workman, but also enable the plant function more smoothly co- ordinated unit. The Age, June 23, 1927—1805 Rate Hearings Concluded New England Mills and Railroads Desire Special Consideration Rate Making—Other Districts Offer Final Testimony the high cost securing its raw materials and unusually competitive local ket, New England’s steel industry desires freight rates slightly lower than those prescribed for the re- mainder the country. But her railroads, handi- capped light loadings, short hauls, high fuel costs, and other conditions not encountered elsewhere, seek relief from rates that they regard already too low. Testimony largely support these premises was offered representatives New England carriers and steel companies the last hearing before the Interstate Commerce Commission its inquiry into the iron and steel rate structure Official Classifica- tion territory. The hearing was held June the Marlborough-Blenheim Hotel, Atlantic City, J., before Commissioner Johnston Campbell and Examiners Howard Faul and Bardwell. Inclusion New England rates the investiga- tion came result announcement earlier the year carriers that district that they intended file brief with the commission, asking for the abrogation commodity rates now effect wire and certain other products from Worcester, Mass., and surrounding points New England destinations, and the substitution, with some exceptions, full fifth- class rates. Predicts Further Migration New England Industry That the American Steel Wire Co. has several times considered the relocation its manufacturing facilities that its Worcester, Mass., plants would produce materials for New England consumption only was brought out the testimony John Coakley, division freight agent for the company. said that the failure New England carriers provide rea- sonable freight rates the company’s products was the chief reason for contemplating such move, and stated that more favorable attitude not adopted will only question time before New England will manufacture iron and steel articles for its own consumption only. Calling attention the highly competitive condition the wire industry New England, Mr. Coakley attacked the proposed rate increase the district’s carriers, which was have become effective May 16, but was suspended for further investigation. The changes, pointed out referring series tables, would amount large increases manufac- tured iron and steel articles and wire and wire products. The revision applies only intraterritorial points New England, and nearly all instances would bring the rates full fifth class. Although New England plants can ship points Trunk Line and Central Freight Association territories com- modity rates, the raw materials must come full fifth class rates, usually higher than rates for similar distances other territories, and thus manufacturers are seriously handicapped, said. introduced scale rates for application New England only, which similar principle the scale offered the first hearing Pittsburgh, but allows general increase over the latter approxi- mately per cent supply additional revenue, which, said, would required for New England carriers operate profitably. also advocated the abolition the Boston rate group. Harry Marsales, general traffic manager, Wick- wire Spencer Steel Co., Inc., Buffalo, testified that the rates proposed New England carriers would repre- sent increase per cent over existing schedules from the company’s four Massachusetts plants other 1806—June 23, 1927, The Iron Age New England points. advocated the maintenance rates within the district that would allow New Eng- land plants hold their home markets, which they would not able under the proposed increased rates account lower schedules applying inter- territorial rates into New England. favored gen- erally equalized rate scale providing was not essen- tially higher than the present rate level. Effects Freight Rates Shoe Industry plea for the protection the shoe nail indus- try New England was made MeMullin, assistant manager traffic department, United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston. stated that his company had been forced discontinue its plate mill Tremont, Mass., account exorbitant freight rates raw materials, and now purchased its tack plate from Vandergriff, Pa., paying rate 36%c. per 100 lb. Since the migration the shoe industry westward the principal markets his company involve long hauls into Central Freight Association territory. Unless the present advantage commodity rates shoe nails into that territory maintained, ness stated that his company would not overcome the handicap high rates raw materials into its plant. Potique, Stanley Works, Bridgeport, Conn., advocated the maintenance present freight rates New England territory. also favored commodity rates from New England Central Freight Associa- tion and Trunk Line territories hoop and band steel manufactured his company, even though producers the West were forced pay full fifth class rates into New England. This, said, was necessary be- cause the higher producing costs New England. was brought out cross-examination that hot-rolled strip manufactured the Stanley Works moves into Western territories commodity rates, while cold- rolled strip moves under fifth class rates. Diminishing Profits Strip Manufacture The diminishing opportunity for profitable manu- facture cold-rolled strip New England, com- petition with Pittsburgh district mills, was brought Pawtucket, 1914, according his exhibits, the base price the finished strips Pittsburgh was $57.50 ton and the carload freight rate New Eng- land $3.60, total $61.10. that time his com- pany paid $25.40 ton, Pittsburgh, for its unfinished material, $3.60 ton for freight the raw steel New England and average $1.80 for freight delivery the finished material, total This allowed spread $30.30 for manufacturing costs and profit. 1926 the base price finished strips Pittsburgh was $72.76 ton and the freight, $7.30, total $80.06. the same time the Crosby company paid $50 ton for its unfinished steel Pittsburgh, $7.30 for freight New England and average $3.54 ton for delivery the finished product. This allowed spread only $19.22, de- crease per cent from the 1914 figure. New Eng- land producers, Mr. Collier pointed out, also have the additional burden the freight cost the unfinished steel that scrapped manufacturing process. posed increases New England freight rates further reduce this spread allowed for manufacturing and profit, reducing the latter almost negligib! quantity, said. That freight rates cast iron pipe and fittings over the New York, New Haven Hartford Railroad e 7 are unduly high when compared with rates similar products other parts Official Classification terri- was the contention Nathan, traffic man- Nicoll Co., New York, importers these products. introduced exhibits comparing these New Haven rates with those effect other New England arriers and with the levels Trunk Line and Cen- tral Freight Association territories, pointing out the high rates the former road. Mr. Nathan found objection the rates cast iron pipe and fittings out- side New England, and said that his company was compete equal basis with domestic producers. was brought out cross-examination that im- ports the company have increased materially the last few years, but Commissioner Campbell re- fused uphold suggestions representatives do- mestic makers that higher rates imported articles might justified. pointed out that such matters rested with tariff legislators, and that the decision the commission should nothing discourage legiti- mate competition whether between domestic makers between importers and domestic producers. Defines Position New England Carriers The position the New England railreads their esire for increased intraterritorial rates was outlined Brigham, assistant general manager Boston Maine Railroad, and was dealt with further Poveleite, special assistant the vice-president charge traffic that road. Mr. Brigham said that service New England roads had been improved dur- ing the last few years greater rate than the remainder the country and that this, not exorbitant rates, had accounted for the gradually rising volume operating profit the roads. said, however, that the percentage profit investors these roads was still far below the profits carriers the country whole, ascribing reason for this the smallness divisions and the disadvantageous operating condi- tions. Cross-examination these witnesses brought out the fact that the introduction trucking between many short-haul points has materially reduced the revenue the carriers, but that the steam roads have not been affected adversely the electric lines. this point Commissioner Campbell called attention the revolu- tion transportation which has been brought about the advent motor vehicles, and asked why the New England carriers had attempted maintain short-haul facilities from which the greater part the traffic had been taken trucks. stated that electric lines that had been most seriously handicapped had met the situation retiring capital tied unprofitable divisions, and that the railroads should follow this example increasing their operating efficiency. The witness replied that this was being done, but could not done rapidly encugh relieve the difficulty. Mr. Poveleite voiced objection equalized rate throughout Official Classification territory, but said that New England roads should given slightly higher rates offset their peculiar operating conditions. said that such scale not lower than present rates, the carriers were derive any ort fair profit. Wants Full Fifth Class Rates New England Kinney, general freight agent, New York, New Haven Hartford Railroad, introduced exhibits com- paring the rates proposed that railroad for New England movements with similar Trunk Line move- nents. The proposed New England rates, said, are not materially higher than present Trunk Line rates, differences being justified New England operat- ing handicaps. Mr. Kinney brought out the fact that proposed increases would not affect many the articles which there large movement New England, and should not prove serious burden pro- ducers. expressed himself being favor fifth lass rates New England movements and introduced testimony showing the difference between this level and the seale commodity rates which has been effect largely heretofore. Light loading, high operating costs per ton mile, high fuel and the predominance short-haul +} movements were cited Gordon, statistical ac- countant for the New Haven Railroad, the reasons prompting New England carriers seek higher freight rates. the 1502 cars iron and steel articles re- ceived the New Haven for delivery New England points during September, 1926, 649 cars were delivered stations receiving not more than cars, while only two destination points received more than 100 cars each. The witness also pointed out that the average loading carload lots iron and steel for New England des- tinations was only 25.06 tons, compared with average loading 31.72 tons the whole Official Classification territory. The average carload loading from New England origin points, said, was only 21.24 tons. Emphasizes High Cost Short-Haul Movements The relative costs the railroads the long and short hauls were brought out Roberts, general superintendent transportation, Eastern Division, Pennsylvania Railroad, who took the stand for the Trunk Line and Central Freight Association carriers. Mr. Roberts’ testimony was emphasized being that operating man disregarding rate levels. de- fined the short local haul the distance from point origin freight some point short the second classification yard along the line where cars might made into their respective trains. introduced chart showing the average distance from point origin the first terminal classification yard 38.4 miles, and the average distance the second terminal 82.8 Average short-haul service, based upon this survey, 75.2 miles. Mr. Roberts stated that terminal service the first point common between the long and short haul, but not necessarily constant. his opinion the same unit cost does not apply the long and the short haul, and for this reason said would impractical formulate definite schedule for the two movements. further stated that the formula cost service which might apply for one railroad and section might not apply another road and section. asserted definitely that the long haul nearly alway pensive per ton mile than the local movement. less ex- Railroads Contend Steel Industry Can Bear Higher Rates That the steel industry reason its wide and growing prosperity well able bear the burden higher freight rates its products was the principal contention Moorhouse, president Brookmire Economic Service, Inc., New York, testifying for Trunk Line carriers. presented extensive exhibits showing the broader aspects the growth the industry and introduced tables showing the return investment companies operating the various districts. Ac- cording his figures, companies operating the Western and Middle districts earned more than per cent invested capital 1926. The Steel Corporation earned 6.51 per cent, the Bethlehem corporation, 5.46 per cent, and companies operating the Eastern dis- trict only 3.25 per cent. Mr. Moorhouse’s exhibits were vigorously attacked counsel for various steel com- panies, who contended that the figures pave errone- ous impression true conditions. The witness’s statement that the decline export: steel had been largely offset increased exports automobiles was questioned several witnesses, who contended that the tonnage steel the average auto- mobile exported was very small, amounting approxi- mately 500 Discussion Mr. Moorhouse’s allot- ment manufactured the various consuming industries, based upon the annual estimate THE TRON AGE, brought out the opinion that the agricultural industry accounted for practically per cent the made each year and was second only the auto- motive industry. Such estimate, however, included tractors, wire fencing, large tonnage building ma- terials and other items for which there diversified Further testimony for the railroads was offered Jones, agent Central Freight Association Tariff Bureau, Chicago, who presented several exhibits re- quested the commission, showing distances and routes between various producing and consuming points and The Iron Age, June 23, 1927—1807 ; 7 7 7 also exhibits providing historical data the rate structure Central Freight Association territory. representative the statistical department the Penn- sylvania Railroad produced exhibits showing that the average yearly loss the carriers Trunk Line ter- ritory the Jones Laughlin scale were ap- plied there would $950,209, while application the scale proposed Coakley, representing the United States Steel Corporation, would result loss $3,- 234,389 annually. The Jones Laughlin scale, the wit- ness testified, would result slight increase rev- enue adopted for traffic moving from Trunk Line New England territory, but other movements Of- ficial Classification territory, both intra and interterri- torial, the carriers would suffer large losses from the introduction either scale. Wilson, chairman Freight Traffic Manager’s Association, Trunk Line Association, New York, testified the subject export rates iron and steel. These rates, pointed out, are higher comparatively than export rates other commodities, representing approximately per cent the domestic rate. Ex- port rates, said, had been given producers volun- tarily the railroads, and there was fairness decreases. Mr. Wilson also proposed full fifth class rates for manufactured iron and steel articles moving from Trunk Line New England territory. Pittsburgh Producers Emphasize Former Stand Rebuttal testimony Pittsburgh mills consisted largely accentuation their previous conten- tions that eastern Pennsylvania producers enjoy freight rates New York and other Atlantic seaboard con- suming districts which are lower comparatively than Pittsburgh rates the same points. John Coakley, representing the subsidiary companies the Steel Cor- poration, and Ogden, Jones Laughlin Steel Corporation, were leaders this testimony and agreed that equalization was the thing most desired the rate structure. Mr. Ogden withdrew his recommendation for double minimum loadings, but maintained his stand for lower rate levels large producing districts where secondary movements are common manufac- ture. also attacked the so-called Johnstown differ- ential over Pittsburgh, and favored origin and destina- tion groups, providing they are not too large. Mr. Coakley pointed out that the Jones Laughlin scale the only one with constant rate progression and that this naturally would penalize mills making long hauls enter distant markets. criticized the Pennsylvania Railroad for seeming favor certain Eastern mills which formerly had interest and joined Mr. Ogden advocating the abolishment the Johnstown differential. Kennedy, traffic manager Pittsburgh Steel Co., advocated the maintenance large origin group the Pittsburgh district which should apply for both outbound and inbound movements. stated that his company not interested rate levels but only equality rates. Oppose Increase Export Rates voicing opposition proposed increases Trunk Line carriers export freight rates iron and steel products, F..A. Ogden dwelt briefly the his- torical background the subject. Export rates came into being, Mr. Ogden stated, when Andrew Carnegie, market for steel products outside the United States. The railroads quickly assented special export rate 9c. from Pittsburgh the Atlantic Coast com- pared with domestic rate 13c. The present rates, Mr. Ogden said, are highly compensatory the car- riers, the movement ton finished steel export point necessarily requires the movement tons raw materials the producing mill. Although exporting generally conceded unprofitable the steel companies, the witness pointed out that enables mills run higher rate than would otherwise possible. Thomas, president United States Steel Prod- ucts Co., New York, the exporting subsidiary the Steel Corporation, stated that lower export rates would result additional exports iron and steel amounting annually 500,000 tons. This, said, would provide 23, 1927, The Iron Age added revenue for the carriers $1,700,000 aggregating, with the inclusion revenues from movement raw materials, $9,000,000 Pittsburgh Losing Ground New York Market Stearns, Eastern division engineer York for the American Bridge Co., stated that the last five years the Bethlehem company has been ily gaining his company the sale struct shapes the New York metropolitan district count prejudicial freight rates. said that American Bridge Co. had been close down several its fabricating shops the East the high freight rates shapes from the district. His testimony was supplemented Mr. ley, who said the Middle district slowly being lose its dominant position the industry prejudicial freight rates. Williamson, representing the Andrews Co., the Newport Rolling Mill Co. and the Globe Roofing Corrugating Co., all Newport, Ky., further testimony support his proposed scale rates, first introduced the Detroit hearing. cited historical evidence show that iron and steel product had never been moved full fifth class rates Offici Classification territory, and also sought prove the terminal charges involved present movement and the Jones Laughlin scale are too high. also produced exhibits show that the amount grade railroad has nothing with the cost opera- tion, showing that the average cost per ton per mile many roads operating mountainous regions lower than water-level routes. — 6 Contend Eastern Pennsylvania Rates Justified The alleged low rates from eastern Pennsylvania New York and New England points were defended Moon, traffic manager Alan Wood Iron Steel Co., Philadelphia, and Hodge, traffic manager Phoenix Iron Co., Phoenixville, Pa., who also repre- sented the Lukens Steel Co., Coatesville, Pa., and the Worth Steel Co., Claymont, Del. Mr. Moon maintained that Pittsburgh mills are able manufacture much lower cost than the Eastern producers account the nearness raw materials and are able com- pete Atlantic seaboard markets even terms with Philadelphia district makers spite the higher freight rates. pointed out that the greater part the raw materials used eastern Pennsylvania mills had brought from Pittsburgh high freight rates occasioned the steep grades over the moun- tains. favored the Jones Laughlin scale the most nearly suitable for all mills operating Official Classification territory, and also advocated the preser- vation destination and origin groups. Mr. Hodge introduced evidence show that Pittsburgh mills joy lower rate short-haul movements than eastern Pennsylvania producers similar distances. said that the mills represented are already paying per cent the Jones Laughlin scale movements New England and other Eastern points, rate higher than that suggested any proposed scale except that the Trunk Line carriers. Oliver, representing the Bethlehem Cor- poration, introduced further testimony supporting the stand his company the Chicago hearing, and gested modified form the Jones Laughlin scale, providing lower rates short hauls for Trunk Line territory. the close the hearing Commissioner announced that briefs the case must filed before Oct. not probable that decision will handed down before next spring. Shipments electric industrial trucks and tractors May are reported the Department 106 units, compared with 105 the preceding and 108 May, 1926. the recent figures, wer for export, while the domestic shipments the tractor type. Shipments for the five months have aggregated 555 machines, compared with 593 chines the first five months 1926. 7 Iron and Steel Engineers Convene Electrical Men Talk Shop and Stage Large Equipment Exhibit—Witness Radio Starting Mills ESIDES holding successful convention and ex- position iron and steel plant equipment Pittsburgh during the week beginning June 13, the Association Iron and Steel Electrical Engineers demonstrated that convention size could con- ducted successfully Pittsburgh. spite its advantages and things interest visitors, the steel city not supposed convention city, account limited hotel and hall facilities. But this organization found that the Syria Mosque, containing the largest auditorium the city, could had, and located next door the Pittsburgh Athletic Associa- tion annex, with rooms large enough technical and business sessions. Because these developments and the central loca- tion Pittsburgh relation the districts from which the association draws its membership, was not surprising that the comment was common that the twenty-third convention the organization was the best attended, and easily surpassed interest those previously held. There were 136 exhibitors Syria Mosque. The technical program was not only varied, but the papers were fairly free the commercial flavor that sometimes brings the question whether the authors are trying something for the advance- ment science merely advocating this that preduct which they may interested. out- standing event the week was the visit Thursday afternoon, June 16, the Homestead works, Carnegie Steel Co., inspection tour the new Carnegie beam section mill. Officers are nominated these annual conventions but not elected until later the year. Standing, Saucon works, Bethlehen Steel Co., Bethlehem, Pa., has been nominated dent; Cramer, assistant electrical superintendent Cambria works, Bethlehem Steel Co., Johnstown, Pa., present secretary, was named second vice-presi- dent and Place, electrical superintendent Youngs- town Sheet Tube Co., Youngstown, Ohio, secretary. (a) This paper published, abstract, another page Contributing symposium roller bearings for rolling mills Tuesday morning, June 14, which Barton Shover, consulting engineer, Pittsburgh, pre- sided, were Cramer, Cambria works, Bethlehem Steel Co., whose subject was “Anti-Friction Bearings for Heavy-Duty Steel Mill Applications, with Special Reference Roll Necks”; Klein, engineering de- partment, United Engineering Foundry Co., Pitts- burgh, whose topic was “Bearings for Use Rolling Mills”; chief engineer Rollway Bearing Co., Syracuse, Y., who spoke “Factors Governing the Design Bearings for Roll Necks”; Gains- borg, engineering department, SKF Industries, Inc., New York, “Anti-Friction Bearings Roll Necks Rolling and Fred Waldorf, district steel mill division, Timken Roller Bearing Co., Canton, Ohio, “Application Tapered Roller Bearings Roll Necks Rolling Mills and Pinion Stands.” Mr. Cramer’s paper was devoted motors driving rolling mills. The other speakers generally stressed the power-saving possibilities roller bearings over the ordinary sleeve type. Mr. Waldorf estimated that the saving was from per cent, depending upon the size the mill and the kind product rolled. This meeting was the most largely attended any the convention, least 400 being present. Discus- sion was rather limited, but ran the channel doubt the power saving. Flat Roofs Over Open-Hearth Furnaces “The Flat-Suspended Open-Hearth was the subject Foell, chief engineer Donner Steel Co., Buffalo, the session Wednesday, June 15, which Harper, also Donner Steel Co., was chairman(a). Mr. Foell described installation this type roof one the furnaces the Donner Steel Co. plant. Calling for heavier structural mem- bers than are ordinarily employed open-hearth fur- nace construction, and for massive, special shape bricks hung the flange the beams cast iron clamps, the speaker admitted greater cost compared with the conventional sprung arch type, but insisted that this offset longer roof life and more heats the roof TED his office Broadway, Judge Elbert Gary, chairman the board the United States Steel Corporation, passed his hand over glass sphere. With each pass the hand, the tube actuated electrical circuit. The grid- glow relay was connected telegraph line leading short-wave transmitting station lo- cated the Westinghouse Works Newark, Judge hand passed over the sphere, the tube caused interruption the station’s continuous 42.95 meter wave. The in- terrupted signal was amplified being received from the air Homestead and sent out telegraph line the generatingg station the Homestead works the Carnegie Steel Co., where means sensitive relays, the 6000-kw. motor-generator set was put into operation The Iron Age, Jane 23, 4 it |- l- le re i- ) ) 4 ne Pil i Cu than could obtained from the furnace with ordinary roof. Discussion this paper was animated and general. response question Mr. Quigg, Bethlehem Steel Co., the speaker, who said that the fuel coke oven gas and tar, said that the gas ratio runs any- where from 80/per cent, depending upon the com- mercial demand for gas the Buffalo district; that the consumption 6,000,000 B.t.u. per ton steel and that the average time from charge tap has been hr. min. Walter Kelly, refractories engineer, Bethlehem Steel Co., Bethlehem, Pa., quoted costs $900 for the sprung arch roof and $1,856 for the suspended roof. asked this difference costs was justified the increased number heats per roof. Mr. Foell said that the furnace changed the suspended roof type, heats have been increased from 132 445, against average all furnaces the plant with the sprung arch 200 heats per roof. Mr. Foell thought the extra cost justified. Further discussion Mr. Quigg brought out the fallacy trying calculate costs per ton steel from the number heats per roof. asserted that, after all, furnace runs for any considerable length time the original roof, and that patches often mean roof and half even two roofs. Based Mr. Foell’s statement that, 5000 tiles the original roof, 1900 had replaced, the number heats the single roof would 300 instead 445 stated. New Structural Mills The visit the Homestead works Thursday afternoon was preceded the morning technical ses- Menk’s paper appears, abstract, another page. WIRE EXPORTS FALL OFF Germany and Belgium Gain Our Expense South America WASHINGTON, June 21.—Failure American pro- ducers wire and wire products make gains even retain their position the world’s export markets 1926 attributed the Iron and Steel Division, De- partment Commerce, the strong efforts German and Belgian wire manufacturers establish them- selves the markets Central and South America. article showing detail the export movement American iron and steel 1926, the division ex- plains that seven broad classifications wire and wire products alone failed show increase over 1925. Dealing with the situation related exports wire and wire products, says: Only Decline Was Wire Products “It probable that the American export trade wire and wire products was more strongly affected competition from European manufacturers than any other similar group products. least the 1926 trade wire and wire products the only trade show decrease when compared with the statistics the trade 1925. 1926, exports these goods were 98,517 tons compared with shipments totaling 122,- 008 tons made 1925—a decrease 23,491 tons 19.2 per cent. must noted, however, that this de- crease was means general throughout the eight products combining make these totals. Exports galvanized, plain and barbed wire alone showed de- creases, shipments bright wire and wire cloth and screening remained virtually the same, while those woven wire fencing, wire rope, insulated steel wire and cable, and the commodities included the group ‘other wire and manufactures of’ all increased some amount. “Barbed wire, with total shipments 46,563 tons, was the principal commodity this trade; plain wire, with 17,131 tons, was second, and galvanized wire, 14,- 180 tons, third. The shipments the other products included this classification were: Wire rope, 4779 tons; woven wire fencing, 4155 tons; wire cloth and screening, 1989 tons; insulated wire and cable, 738 tons, and ‘other wire and manufactures of,’ 8982 tons. “Canada was the principal market 1926 for 1810—June 23, 1927, The Iron Age — sion, which Diehl, vice-president Steel Co., Pittsburgh, presided, exhaustive works, the electrical installations the structural More than 700 made the visii Homestead and the plant officials are entitled mendation for the manner which they handled tour the mills. Arriving the plant noon, visitors were marched uncompleted bay the new mill, where tables had been ret and lunch: was served. Then, after numerous pictures, stationary and ing, were taken, the march began. The route took the visitors the soaking pits, where they saw 11-ton and 12-ton ingots lifted the runway serving the mas- sive 54-in. blooming mill. Here, after several passes, they passed the 52-in. intermediate mill and then the 52-in. finishing mill. The blooming mill driven 8000-hp. motor and the others 7000-hp. motors for the horizontal and 2000-hp. motors for the rolls. to Arriving the power plant, the visitors were halted the motor driving the 52-in. intermediate mill, which came stop. then was started Judge Gary New York, who waving his hand over glass globe his desk passed enough power, built through short-wave high-frequency radio and land lines, start the generator serving the motor. was sur- prise staged the Carnegie Steel Co. and the West- inghouse Electric Mfg. Co., was the first time that radio had been employed for such long distance starting motor. William Clyde, president Car- negie Steel Co., was interested spectator this demonstration. American wire, taking all 21,498 tons these goods, 7287 tons out the total being galvanized wire, 5127 tons barbed wire, and 4551 tons bright wire. the trade with Mexico—20,581 tons—5541 tons barbed wire constituted the principal item and 3634 tons bright wire the second largest. Brazil, with total 8030 tons, was third, more than three-quarters the shipments being barbed wire. The greater part the Colombian purchases (7430 tons all) was also barbed wire and this same product predominated the 5541 tons sent Cuba. “Other markets which purchased appreciable quan- tities American-made wire wire products were the Philippine Islands, 5297 tons, mostly barbed wire; Ar- gentina, 5217 tons, which bright and barbed wire were about equal tonnage; Australia, 4043 tons, which bright wire predominated did the case the United Kingdom, 3166 tons; and Venezuela, 2769 tons, which three-quarters was barbed wire.” The article other respects makes analysis the 1926 export movement steel, such was made for the months ended November, 1926, THE IRON AGE Jan. 20, 1927. pointed out that the 1926 exports American iron and steel totaled 2,167,215 gross tons, being the highest figure since 1921, and ex- ceeding 404,641 tons the exports 1925. Fifteen markets received 1,879,662 tons 86.6 per cent the total 1926 movement. Canada was easily the principal market, taking 833,856 tons. New Company Manufacture Paxson Foundry Equipment The Titgen-Eastwood Co., Philadelphia, has been organized and has purchased all the patterns and drawings the Paxson Co., covering the com- plete line Paxson foundry equipment. The personnel the Titgen-Eastwood Co. consists four men who have spent great many years the equipment field with the Paxson Co. They are Titgen, Eastwood, William Dunbar and Gunther. The Titgen-Eastwood Co. has plant Luzerne and Streets, Philadelphia, and will manufacture the general line foundry equipment heretofore made the Paxson Co. and will also able furnish repair parts for all equipment heretofore sold that company- The business the Paxson Co. being dated committee creditors. 7 7 7 7 Soaking Pits Built with Recuperators First Unit with This Construction Operated Buffalo Plant Donner Steel Co. Since February ECUPERATION, asa method for fuel economy, has been applied soak- ing pit the plant the Donner Steel Co., Buffalo, trial pit was built, ft. in. width holding six ingots 21% in. sq., each weighing approx- imately 7800 lb. The pit has been operation since Feb. was erected the Chapman- Stein Furnace Co., Mount Vernon, Ohio. conventional style pit having regen- erative checker chambers, the exhaust port and fir- ing port are opposite ends the pit, and the flame travels through the pit without change di- rection. Since the ports are necessity consider- ably less height than the ingots being heated, the gas velocity ports high and tends give concentrated firing and “channeling” the gases across the pit the exhaust which results unequal heating the ingots, and necessitates long soaking equalizing period. will noted the general cross section, the pit has the firing and exhaust ports lo- cated the same end wall. Since the firing port the top the ingots, the gases, held, prevented from coming contact with the steel unti they are well mixed and burned. The decreased fuel consumption obtained with the recuperative type pit ascribed number fac- tors. Decreased radiation one. The single recupera- tive pit has but one wall radiating heat the outside: namely the “plug wall” end the recuperator with its Gases Leave the Pit the Bottom the Same Side the Firing Port and Then Give Heat the Recuperator the In- coming Supply Air for the Fir- ing Port — Sidewalls are lined through which air passing and these tiles and the air serve prevent the loss heat that direction. The end opposite the plug wall separated from the out- observation holes. side air the slag pocket. Another reason given for fuel economy that the uniform heating saves the fuel formerly wasted when the operator found necessary reduce the pit tem- perature with excess gas while the heat equalized itself throughout unevenly heated ingots. Since the flame travels the length the pit twice, the recupera- tive pit, emphasized, more than double the time that would the regenerative pit. This liberates more heat the pit proper. also eliminates high flame temperature often found the checkers. The stack temperature the gases leaving the recupera- tive pit (at the Donner plant fired with coke oven gas) averages below 800 deg. Fahr. analysis stack gases shows less than per cent oxygen. One principal difficulty met heretofore operating recuperative system tile checker chamber has been the leakage waste gases into the air passages and vice versa, through chinks the brickwork. This minimized the Chapman-Stein designs making the air passages unit tiles set vertically all joints are held together the weight the structure above. Furthermore, effort made keep the pressures both waste gas and air the passages nearly equal possible, thus removing the cause transfer gas from one flue system the other. Maintenance the recuperator brickwork reported low be- cause the tile never gets the severe variations tem- perature which the checkers must undergo regen- erative pit. prevent slag cutting through the bridgewall and entering the recuperator slag pit has been provided between the two. expected that will not used frequently the score that the bridgewall not sub- jected high flame temperature conditions. The Combustion Pass Through Horizontal Flues structed Recuper- ator and the Air The Iron Age, June 23, 7 | 7 4 | | afte 4 é 4 4 =" aa sy | firing port likewise keeps its shape well, since used only firing port and not alternately pass hot ex- haust gases. designing the Donner Steel Co.’s recuperative pit, was taken that the recuperator should suffi- ciently large and placed low enough provide all the air necessary the firing port and deliver sure enough maintain positive pressure the combustion chamber. This made the condition the combustion chamber much were dependent the stack pull air. More About Foundrymen’s Convention Considerable Progress Made Controlling Quality Foundry Sand —More Light Cost Foundry Operations OUNDRY sand control, increasingly important subject; foundry costs and apprenti: training, all received attention three different sessions. Eleven papers and two tee reports were presented enthusiastic listeners. HAT much progress being made the important subject foundry sand control was indicated reports and papers presented one session which was devoted this topic. More complete classification foundry sand show the character the clay content was recommended the committee grading foundry sand. This was prepared under chairmanship Grubb, Ohio Brass Co., Mansfield, Ohio, but Mr. Grubb was unable present. Progress Made Foundry Sand Control The most important development the grading foundry sand since the last convention, according the committee’s report, was the publication cir- cular poster form describing the system for grading and classifying sands according grain fineness and clay content and the desire the committee that foundrymen and producers apply the classifications order give the system trial. The committee pointed out that the classification grain fineness and clay content does not fully describe sand, for two sands the same grain fineness and clay content may differ greatly chemical analyses, grain shape, grain distribution, clay distribution and quality clay and behave differently use. Consequently, the committee felt that the sand should further classi- fied according grain distribution, grain shape and quality clay (colloid content). The major part this problem measuring and expressing these characteristics standard terms. Taking grain distribution, the report stated that sand uniform grain size has characteristics different from sand the same average grain fineness but wider range grain sizes. The latter packs more densely, and lower permeability and higher green bond strength results. For high permeability uniform grain size may desirable, while for high green bond and smooth mold coarse surface wide grain distribution may desirable. present there standard method for expressing grain distribution numerically. Various suggested systems for arriving the grain distribution were outlined. Grain shape has been given little attention and attempt has been made ex- press grain shapes numerically. However, such terms angular, sub-angular and round are used some extent describe grain shapes. The committee pointed out that the quality clay needs further definition, clays differ widely bonding power, plasticity, durability and refractory qualities. Probably the most important factor particle size. The physical prop- erties, cohesiveness, plasticity, etc., vary greatly with the size the particles. Particles less than one one hundred thousandth inch diameter have prop- erties different from larger particles that they are known under the special name colloids. Some clays contain practically colloidal material. classify sands respect the quality the clay necessary classify clays according par- ticle sizes. This matter being given attention the sub-committee tests. Dye absorption, water absorption and sedimentation methods have been tried and seem value, but the data far obtained such methods meager. The committee hoped 1812—June 23, 1927, The Iron Age that will real value foundrymen. Fuller, Cleveland, who presided the session. pointed out that the proposed standard grading classi- fications were only tentative. The report the com- mittee was accepted and referred the committee. ALLY Progress Made Testing Sands New testing methods are being proposed and im- provements are constantly being suggested, according verbal progress report the committee testing foundry sands made its chairman, Prof. Cornell University. Professor Ries stated that sub-committees had been appointed. One dealing with core testing including the selection sand for core mixture. One sub-committee has recommended standard core sand, per cent which has fineness between and mesh, subject certain tolerances. The speaker said that tensile and transverse tests cores were being made and that new method being used making permeability tests, but the committee had recommendations make this time. Shear tests are now being experimented with supplement the compression and tensile tests. Atten- tion was called new permeability testing machine which was exhibition and was also stated that attachment for permeability tests sand molds has been tried and has given satisfaction. The committee favored the development cheap form compres- sion machine for cores. Conserving and Reclaiming Sand brief report what has been done the com- mittee conservation and reclamation since the troit convention was made Harrington, Hunt- Spiller Mfg. Co., Boston. The sub-committee has been studying clay bonds but confronte