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By ARTHUR THACHER

PRIMITIVE man supplied his wants as they arose; as he became more civilized he anticipated them by producing more regularly and storing the products for future use. This tended to cheapen' production and prevent ' violent fluctuations and therefore tended to increase consumption. In order to anticipate our wants, we must know what these wants will be, and this can be .determined only by statistics. 'While we have made great progress in gathering statistics, they are still far from what they should be; especially metal statistics. We determine fairly, well the amount produced, but this does not answer all inquiries because of the erratic conditions of mining, it is necessary to carry larger stocks of metals than of most other articles; moreover, as metals are more or less durable, it is difficult to determine the actual consumption. We often count under consumption what is being produced and sold, while the actual consumption is what is being worn out.

Jan 1, 1921

By Ralph Arnold

LESS than eight months ago at the annual meeting of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, attention was called to the demoralizing effect of the abnormal oil production of Mexico on the oil situation in the United States, and it was predicted that this unstabilizing influence would probably become impotent in 18 to 24 months through ' the exhaustion of the principal producing fields of Mexico, unless new fields were found in- the meantime. When this statement was made, the daily production of Mexico was about 600,000 bbl. of crude oil; now it is about 350,000 bbl. No new pools of consequence have been opened, although extensions have been made to two old pools. Over 200,000 bbl., or more than half of the present daily production, comes from Los Naranjos, Amatlan and North Zacamixtle fields, in which practically every well is so affected by salt water that the potential production dropped 50 per cent. in the month of September, clearly indicating that these fields are moving rapidly toward extinction. How much longer the one remaining important pool will last is a matter of conjecture.

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

THE Federated American Engineering Societies through its Executive Board has endorsed House Bill 5230, introduced April 26, 1921, which provides for- the completion of the topographical survey of the United States. Before this bill can be reported out it will be necessary for the House Committee on -interstate and foreign commerce to hold hearings. This will not be done unless the engineers of the country show interest -and demand action which should be taken immediately after the recess ends and Congress reconvenes this fall. Surveys and maps have been made in this country ever since Captain John Smith mapped Chesapeake Bay about. 300 years ago, but it is only in comparatively recent years that the need for accurate maps has been keenly felt by those engaged in the industrial' and commercial development of the country.

Jan 1, 1921

By H. Foster Bain

THERE has never been a great civilized nation which did not have a mining industry; civilization cannot flourish without metal mining. Without tools we can have none of the 'industries that are the foundation of civilization and without metal mining we cannot produce the material of which tools are made. Therefore, if we have no metal mining we have no metals, no tools, no civilization. An example to illustrate this may be drawn from a recent article in the Saturday Evening Post which described the run-down condition of modern Athens. Athens is nothing but a busted mining camp! In its palmy days the Greeks so applied the leasing system to the silver mines of Laurium that the royalties, paid the expenses of government and instead of a tax bill the inhabitants received a pay check. The Persians came over to capture these mines but the Greek navy was built to defend them. When the silver mines played out, Greek civilization declined.. Our mining must continue if our civilization is to continue.

Jan 1, 1921

By Max W. Ball

THE geologist or mining engineer, whose work takes him into the western United States, whether for the Government or private enterprises, is likely to be called upon to classify public lands as to their mineral character, or to review such classification already made, usually by a Government geologist or mineral inspector. The public-land law covering the matter is clear and logical, and a knowledge of its simpler principles is necessary to intelligent classification work. There are two classes of cases in which a classification of lands as mineral or non-mineral may be required: .first, cases in which lands classified as mineral will be retained by the Government and lands classified as non-mineral alienated; second, cases in which lands classified as mineral will be alienated and lands classified as non-mineral retained.

Jan 1, 1921

By S. A. TAYLOR

THE aftermath of a world war brings up a number of economic problems for the consideration of all thinking and patriotic citizens. The solution of the problems which confront the country at this time cannot well be accomplished by reference to past experience, for such conditions as confront us today have not existed in the past. We must, therefore, in any attempt to solve the present problems, rely to a great extent upon a careful analysis of present conditions to determine what is wrong; and after this is determined, seek the remedy and apply it. It needs no argument to establish the fact that, in the effort to win the war, the cost of so doing, and the waste in connection with it were, to a large extent, lost sight of; and this situation caused high wages, high cost of all materials, and of food supplies.

Jan 1, 1921

By B. B. Gottsberger

A NOTABLE feature of the practice of the American mining engineer is the fact that 'his field has been world wide, and the results of his work may be found in all countries. For this reason, the mining engineer is particularly interested in any legislation tending to restrict his freedom in this respect. In their zeal to improve the status of the professional engineer, those responsible for the enactment of the registration laws now in effect in various of the United States may have introduced a practice that will result very much to the detriment of the American mining engineer. He is preeminently interested in the maintenance of the professional "open door," and fame may be the reward of him who calls the first "International Conference for the Limitation of Restrictive Legislation." There is no reason why these United States should be the only country to regulate the practice of professional engineering and, in fact, the movement is spreading beyond its borders. Already, it is necessary for the mining engineer to be thoroughly conversant with the various state laws in order to insure his right to pursue his calling. It may soon be necessary for him to make sure of his status in foreign countries before undertaking work in them.

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

MORTIMER ELWYN COOLEY, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Michigan, has been elected president of the American Engineering Council of the Federated American Engineering Societies. This was announced at a meeting of the Executive Board of the Council held at the Cosmos Club in Washington on Sept. 30. Dean Cooley assumes office at once. The new head of organized engineering is a past president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and has a long record of distinguished service in education, under the government and in private capacities. He was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., March 28, 1855, and was graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1878. With his classmate, Dr. Ira N. Hollis, he was ordered to the U.S.S. "Quinnebaug," then fitting out at the Norfolk Navy Yard preparatory to a cruise in the Mediterranean.

Jan 1, 1921

By GERALD H. HUTTON

SINCE the inception of dredge mining, the attention of engineers and operators has been directed primarily toward mechanical improvements and refinements calculated to, reduce operating costs and to increase recoveries. The result has been to develop an efficient excavating and value-saving machine, which, in some instances, has an actual capacity of 15,000 cu yd. per day. Steel hulls and superstructures minimize the risk of destruction by fire and lengthen the life of the plant. Dredges now restore, to some extent, agricultural possibilities to mined ground. Large buckets, with correspondingly heavy parts, are able to handle heavy wash and massive boulders. Mechanical weaknesses have been strengthened. The use of manganese steel in bucket lines and tumblers permits the application too the bank of a digging force that can be withstood only by solid material, such as rock, cement or frozen ground. Various alloys of steel have been applied to certain duties and experiments in their heat treatment are still progressing. Haulage by tractor or truck is in common use. Discarded and worn steel parts are repaired or rebuilt by the use of the oxy-acetylene flame and the arc-welding machine. Gold and platinum saving is more efficient, although still subject to improvement. Dredging for tin ore is in successful operation. Crews are now highly specialized and experience has developed improved methods of work; particularly in the manipulation of dredges to build levees of tailings and to leave open waterways where desired. To sum up by the distribution of overhead expense over several units, ground under favorable conditions can now be dredge-mined for 5)2 c. per cu: yd., in spite of the increase in cost of supplies, power, and labor during, the past few years. Improvements in prospecting methods, however, have not kept pace with mechanical developments. Standard practices of ; testing ground today produce only wide approximations of values; although they obtain information concerning the character of the deposit and bedrock. It is interesting to note that few important changes in the methods of ten years ago are .to be recorded; the latest comparisons between pros¬pecting results and mined recoveries-have been at such variance as to cause confusion to the operator, and, in a degree, the sacrifice of the confidence of the capitalist. On this account, and because the growing scarcity of dredging ground. demands closer calculations on the part of the engineer, this appeal for collaboration and

Jan 1, 1921

By John A. Mathews

RESEARCH in the steel industry, as in other lines of manufacturing, has for its principal purpose the increasing of profits. That is what manufacturing companies are for, and all departments of the organization must be so coordinated as to lead to profitable operation. To divide a payroll into productive and non-productive labor is misleading. Productive labor, in fact, is necessary labor, and non- productive labor is the labor we can get along without. One might as well say that the steering wheel is not a part of an automobile as to say that the directing minds of an industry are non-productive. Legitimate manufacturing profits in a steel company or any other company are the reward that the public pays for service rendered or risk taken. The desire for profits is the impelling motive that leads investors .to take risks and build up industries that give employment to others. Every department of a company, be it executive, manufacturing, financial, sales, or research, must contribute to the one end which brings success-profits.

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

In the present number of Mining and Metallurgy, issued on the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Institute, it appears appropriate to chronicle a few of the interesting incidents respecting its early life. We are fortunate in being able to cull the following notes from unpublished manuscripts of Doctor Raymond and Doctor Drinker, than whom no other members could have written with greater exactness and fidelity. THE seventh decade of the 19th century may be said to have marked an. era in the history of the world. Industrially and .commercially it was marked by the wide application and utilization of discoveries already made, which came to their full effect at this period in steamships, railways, telegraph and cable lines; the standardization of parts in machines, from watches to locomotives; the use of 'dynamite, antiseptic surgery, the open-hearth steel process, the compressed-air rock-drill, the electric generator, and the Gatling gun. Through the opening of the Suez canal in 1870 the maritime trade of the world was revolutionized, sailing vessels were supplanted by steamers, while ocean cables and ocean "tramps" brought about far more rapid movement of commerce than had before been experienced. Politically, this period was marked by the sudden birth of the German empire and the beginning of that intensive internal development of the national resources of that empire in preparation for colonial extension and war, the amazing result of which has been made evident by the recent world conflict. In the United States, the significance of this decade was peculiarly important. The re-admission to the union of Virginia, Mississippi, Texas and Georgia in

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

NEARLY two hundred 'engineers attended the dinner given at the Hotel Pennsylvania on Monday-evening, Oct. 10, to the delegation from the American l3nginiering Societies to Great Britain and France when the John Fritz Medal was presented to Sir Robert Hadfield and to Eugene Schneider. Representatives of the British and French Governments ' and of foreign engineering societies gave to the event an international aspect unique in gatherings of engineers. Messages from men distinguished in science, statesmanship and diplomacy were read. Medals struck by the French Government were presented to the general chairman of the deputation, to the chairman of each' individual delegation and to the president's of the four Founder Societies. The meeting was regarded by engineers as formally ushering in a definite movement for world unity in the engineering profession. J. Vipond Davies, president of the United Engineering Society, acted as toastmaster. The speakers ,were Ambrose Swasey, Charles F. Rand, F. B. Jewett, A. S. Dwight, John R. Freeman, all members of the deputa- tion; and M. Gaston Liebert, French Consul General; Captain G. H. Armstrong, British Counsel General; G. G. Clapperton, representing the British Institution bf Electrical Engineers, and Prof. Jacques Cavalier, spokesman for the French universities. Among the engineers from other cities was Governor. James Hartness of Vermont.

Jan 1, 1921

By W. R. Ingalls

WHAT proportion of the national wealth is represented by' the producing mines of the country?' Or by the- mining and metallurgical industry-as a whole, for it is impossible to make-an economic distinction between the mines that produce the ore and the plant that is used to get the metals from it. The total national wealth in fixed property is about $270,000,000,000. How much for the mines? I do not know that any one 'else has ever tried to furnish answers to these questions. In making such an attempt I am conscious that the result can be nothing more than a rough approximation. Yet even that will give an idea of relative values. No separate valuation for the mines of the country has appeared in any inventory of the national wealth previous to that which I compiled and published for 1916. -In earlier census estimates mines were supposed to be included under the head of real estate. However, an examination of the laws and practices of the several states with respect to mine taxation will make it evident that no good idea of the value of the mines of the coun¬try is obtainable from the assessment rolls. In my previous estimate for 1916, I computed the value of the mines at $8,000,000,000, which was approxi¬mately 10 times their net income as reported to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. In making that estimate I fell grossly into error, for several reasons that it is unnecessary to explain, but chiefly because the net income of the mines of the country in that year was exceptionally large. The whole subject of valuing the mines of the country en bloc is extraordinarily difficult At the best, no one can hope to arrive at, anything more than a rough idea about it. However, elements of reason may be introduced and may be made to serve as chief bases.

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

THE John Fritz Medal Board of Award, at its annual meeting on Jan. 21, 1921, awarded its gold medal and diploma to Sir Robert Hadfield for the invention of manganese steel. On June 1, announcement was made that the Board of Award had awarded its gold medal and diploma to Charles Prosper Eughe Schneider for "achievement in metallurgy of iron and steel; for development of ordnance, especially the 75-mm. gun, and for notable patriotic contribution ' to the winning of the war." The award to Sir Robert Hadfield is for the year 1921; the award to Mr. Schneider is for 1922. The latter was made at this time in order that the medal might be presented by the group of American engineers now visiting England and France.*

Jan 1, 1921

By John Fritz

MEMBERS of the American engineering societies who were in London and Paris during the last days of. June and early July were present at many interesting gatherings. The official delegates of the Founder societies were the specially honored guests of the foreign engineering societies, but other American engineers took part in the meetings. The members of the delegation were: Arthur S. Dwight, Charles F. Rand, William Kelly, representing A. I. M. E.; Ambrose Swasey (general chairman of deputation), Ira N. Hollis, Jesse M. Smith, representing A. S. M. E.; F. B. Jewett, A. E. Kennelly, G. O. Squier, representing A. I. E. E.; Charles T. Main, Robert A. Cummings, John R. Freeman, D. C. Henny, representing A. S. C. E.

Jan 1, 1921

By B. B. Gottsberger

IT SEEMS strange that so many years after the pas¬sage of the first acts requiring registration or licensing of engineers, so few members of the mining branch of the profession are aware of what has taken place. Laws regulating the practice of engineering have now been passed in 19 states of this country, and in many others, such legislation has been proposed. That such laws are necessary for the protection of life, health and property, as is stated in most of them, is doubted by many. That the standing of the engineering profession will be improved by them is certainlyy open to question. That such laws are a welcome addition to the regulation of business by governmental agency, is not likely to be a general opinion. That once more, and in spite of appeals to engineers to interest themselves in affairs of government, an active minority has succeeded in imposing its will on a passive majority, seems but too true. However, the laws are there and information regarding them should be of use and interest to those most directly concerned.

Jan 1, 1921

By Cornelius F. Kelley

DURING the war, events moved with unprecedented rapidity. Situations, industrial, economic and financial, arose over night that stressed to the uttermost the ingenuity and ability of those who dealt with them. It was essentially a time demanding action rapid and concentrated, and not one for discussion, either academic or polemic. As a result, matters of importance were necessarily transacted without the desirable opportunity being afforded of enabling a general understanding to be gained as to the relative merit or demerit involved, and in some instances, legislation essential to enable the consummation of an important matter was passed without attracting the public attention then deeply engrossed in the larger aspects of the situation. The result was that so long as the public mind was occupied, little or no concern was given to questions that ordinarily would have invited immediate attention; and in some instances, only when as an aftermath of war a particular subject has become a matter of discussion, criticism not altogether fair is made without first obtaining accurate knowledge as to the conditions that prevailed, the purpose sought to be accomplished, or the results obtained by the action taken.

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

NINETEEN states have on their statutes laws requiring engineers practicing within their borders to be licensed sixteen other states have such laws under consideration. While mining engineers are not specifically referred to in every case, they are referred to by implication. In only a few states have mining engineers taken any active interest in this subject, either in support or in opposition, yet it is a matter of very grave importance to them. By some it is thought that it is now too late to take any active steps toward preventing or repealing a type of legislation for which there appears to be a growing demand from some source. And it is further thought that the best course for those who are interested is to endeavor to guide legislation so that the remaining states may enact laws containing as few objectionable features as possible.

Jan 1, 1921

By C. P. PERIN, DONALD BELCHER

T HE production of pure iron by electrolyzing solutions of its salts has been the object of scientific curiosity and research for about 80 years; and in the last two decades a realization of the unusual physical and chemical qualities of electrolytic iron has turned the attention of chemists and metallurgists toward a commercial application of this accumulated knowledge. Thus Burgess and Hambuechen in America, . Cowper-Coles in England, and Fischer in Germany- devised methods, more or less successful, for the electrolytic refining of iron, but none of these processes has yet attained large-scale operation. During the war some interesting ,work was done in France and England on building up worn or defective machine parts by electrodeposition of iron. It remained for the Société "Le Fern in France to carry on the process commercially. For six years Les Fonderies et Forges. de Sainte-Maire et Gravigny and the works of Bouchayer & Viallet at Grenoble have manufactured pure-iron boiler tubes in competition with established practice. The French process originated in the researches of Anthelme Boucher in 1910, and was, not put into operation until several years of experimentation had passed.

Jan 1, 1921

Jan 1, 1921