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Charles R. Eeyes, Des Moines, Ia. (con~munication to the Secretary*):—It is not in a spirit of criticism that I offer a supplemental suggestion or two on the subjects covered by this valuable and highly instructive memoir. There are two points which, in my opinion, should have received greater emphasis in Mr. Emmons's excellent paper. One is the fundamental r6le played by the chlorides under certain conditions in ore-formation. The other is the possible establishment of geographic relationships among the four pheilomena of (1) excessive chlo-ridic content of mine-waters; (2) the abundance of chloridic compounds of the precious metals; (3) the presence of man-gancse oxides; and (4) the diminishing importance, in ore-genesis, of the metallic sulphates. Although Mr. Emmons's notes refer to gold alone, it may be pertinently asked whether the same principles do not hold good for silver and copper also, since these metals form, together with gold, a distinct and well-known chemical group. That the reactions involved apply equally well to the other two metals mentioned, is sbown by a number of recent observations and discussions. Chloridic ores of silver are, as I have lately endeavored to show, mainly worked in arid or desert regions only; and the great deposits of disseminated copper-ores are similarly characteristic of such regions, in which both classes doubtless owe their formation to the abundance of saline materials derived from desert dusts, and to the plentiful and almost universal presence of manganese oxide. Under these climatic conditions, silver is somewhat more abundantly deposited than copper and gold, because its chloride is so much less soluble. During volcanic emanations, the metallic chlorides perform at all times distinct functions; when these are

Jan 1, 1912

By H. S. Fleming

My original intention was to give a full account of Southern furnaces, ores and cokes; but, owing to the difficulty of getting reliable information, I confine this paper to a general description of the ores used in, and immediately around, Chattanooga. Mr. L. S. Colyar, Manager of the Rising Fawn furnace, wrote me in answer to an inquiry as to what ores they were using, " Below I give you analyses of the mixture of ore we have been using for the past seven or eight years. We haven't a complete analysis of any ores, but I will give them to you as I have them. Attalla Soft Rising Fawn Hard Rising Fawn Red Ore. Red Ore. Soft Ore. Iron,.... 50.60 38.48 46.82 Silica,. .. 11.69 7.32 22.69 Phosphorus,. .. 1.06 .319 .350 This is a fair average of all the ores we get in this section." The following analyses of Birmingham soft ore were received from the Morris Mining Co., of that place. No. 1. NO. 2. No. 3. No. 4. Iron.....51.60 54.88 51.04 51.20 Silica,. .. 19.32 10.60 17.32 17.08 Alumina,....19 .88 1.18 Phosphorus,. ..129 .287 .116 .464 Mine No. 1, second vein, shows: iron, 46.40; alumina, 4.92; phosphorus,.212; silica, 19.60. Mine No. 1, by analyses obtained from the Mary Pratt Furnace CO., shows: Iron. Silica. Fine red ore,.49.00 18.38 Lump red ore,...54.42 17.10 Bottom vein,.50.00 21.38 Bottom vein,.41.24 13.52 A lot of this ore delivered in Chattanooga gave : iron, 53.32; alumina, 2.10; phosphorus,.529; silica, 18.03.

Jan 1, 1887

By Halbert Powers Gillette

FROM the known laws of physical chemistry I believe it can be shown that progressive mass movement of water solutions in channels has seldom been the means of ore-concentration in veins. It is my purpose in this paper to show that the force known as “osmosis” has been the principal factor in ore-formation. Convection-currents have doubtless supplemented osmosis, and the two working together have been the agencies that have gathered the scattered particles of rare minerals into the larger masses which are called ore. Osmosis is commonly thought of as a vague, feeble force that causes slow diffusion of dissolving matter through the solvent. That it is a measurable force, often of great intensity, few know, except those who are familiar with the laws of modern physical chemistry. Therefore, I may be pardoned for going briefly into the elementary mathematics of osmotic pressure and of convection-currents. The velocity of water moving through any channel is given by the Chézy formula: (1) v = c [/rs], in which r is the hydraulic mean radius; s, the slope of the channel in which gravity is the sole propulsive force; and c, the coefficient of roughness of the sides of the channel. From this formula it is evident that the smaller the channel, the smaller the velocity of water under a constant head. In rock-crevices, therefore, where the head is constant, water moves much more slowly than in large fissures, and in moving through sand or porous rock it is to an even greater degree retarded. Hence, if a mass of water-saturated sand be heated, the finer the sand-grains, the more slowly will the temperature rise at parts remote from the source of heat. Conversely, cooling is retarded the smaller the interstices or channels through which the convection-currents move. The importance of this

Jan 1, 1913

The notion prevails that writing is a knack, that the skilful use of the pen is a gift of nature. This is an error. Dogberry may be responsible for it; he said: "To be a well-informed man is the gift of fortune, but to write and read comes by nature". Because Dogberry said it, we may be sure that Shakespeare thought otherwise. Ability of any sort may be partly innate, but my own observation and experience lead me to conclude that most of the easy writers have become so by constant practice. As I recall the names of men successful with the pen, I remember that most of them have written a great deal and have taken particular pains to improve their style. The suggestion that proficiency in the difficult art is a happy accident provokes a sardonic smile. The larger part of the great writing in our literature is the result of persistent effort. An easy fluency has been the undoing of many; their flamboyant and fantastic scribbling has proved as perishable as froth. This criticism applies to technical writing also; in order that a technical description or discussion may hold the interest of the reader, at least long enough to cause him to read it to the end, the writing must be done carefully and systematically; otherwise it will fail in its purpose of conveying information. Clearness is absolutely essential. "It is not enough to use language that may be understood; it is necessary to use language that must be understood."* The purpose of writing, at least of that which is meant to be read by others, is not only to express ideas but to communicate them. Lack of perspicuity may prove as bad as

Jan 1, 1931

By Courtenay de Kalb

So far as the writer is aware, no detailed investigation into the behavior of ores or rocks when subjected to crushing under digerent conditions has yet been made. He cannot himself claim to have carried such investigations very far; but the results of some studies which he has been pursuing for a couple of years, as opportunity permitted, seem sufficiently interesting and suggestive to warrant a brief statement of them, preliminary to nildertaking a more exhaustive course of experiments. Criticisms and suggestions are earnestly invited, with a view to making these studies as instructive as possible. As a part of the examination of ores, preparatory to concentration, my students have been required to take lots of 100 pounds each, and crush them. These are then screened through a series of hand-sieves, 15 inches in diameter. The products remaining on each screen are weighed, and from the results is plotted a curve, called the sizing-curve. It was assumed at first that different ores would yield, under like conditions of crushing, curves showing unlike characteristics as to the quantities remaining on the various sieves. After a number of such curves had been obtained it became evident, as often happens, that this a priori reasoning was faulty. The curves presented practically identical characteristics, and only by varying the crushing-conditions were variations in the curves obtainable. Another peculiarity, which was as little anticipated, appeared by inspection of these results, namely, that successive crushing to smaller sizes did not greatly augment the quantities of the filler products, so long as the machines employed applied the crushing-force to the ore-particles in the same manner. In these experiments the fines were not eliminated between successive crushings. I believe it will be readily admitted that rock can be crushed

Jan 1, 1899

By W. M. Courtis

. There seems to be a well-established belief that there is an indescribable something in the appearance of gold-quartz not to be learned from books, that enables those who are fortunate enough to have acquired the power to recognize this characteristic, to pronounce at once that a certain quartz will or will not pay. The stronger this claim is made, the more certain is the claimant to be one of the self-styled practical miners. After several years spent among the gold-mines of California with practical and professional gold-miners, I have come to the conclusion that very few care to risk an opinion on a piece of quartz until some of it has been "horned out." Nevertheless, there is what the miners call a " kindly " appearance, that is more often followed by good results than is a vitreous, water-wet-looking quartz. A dark, resinous quartz seems to be most in favor, but there are so many exceptions that even quartz as " white as a hound's tooth " produces gold in some mines.. The ribbon-quartz, a laminated variety, separated by thin talc or chlorite partings, has a well-known good name. The slides of rich quartz specimens show that this parallelism is a microscopical characteristic of the only macroscopical distinction that, as a rule, these quartzes show. This is shown by Nos. 12 and 13, photographs of the richest quartz, that averaged $65 per pound. It is noticeable, also, in Nos. 7 and 9, and others. Dr. Hensoldt, of Columbia College, who prepared, excellently, a large number of my slides, and whom I have to thank for descriptions and suggestions, says of Nos. 12 and 13: "This variety of quartz differs considerably, microscopically, from the others of your locality, and is, in more than one respect, remarkable. Like the

Jan 1, 1890

By W. Rostoker

PART of a program of research on the Ti-A1 system1 involved a study of the lattice parameters of the titanium-rich a solid solution, which has a hexagonal close-packed structure. For this work, a 14 cm Debye-Scherrer powder camera and filtered CuK, radiation was used. For each pattern, the parameters were calculated by a least squares solution of the five strongest high angle lines. This provides an accuracy of i0.005A or better. The results are shown graphically in Fig. 1. It will be seen that an unusual change of slope occurs in the curve for the C parameter at high aluminum contents. Such anomalous changes in slope have been recorded by RaynorV or several magnesium-rich solid solutions. The effects were interpreted in terms of a special contribution to the lattice distortion due to factors of electronic origin predicted by Jones." Jones' theory, in substance, suggested that an unusually large expansion of the lattice would begin when the electron per atom concentration in the alloy was increased to a value at which an overlap just began from one Brillouin zone to another. Con-

Jan 1, 1953

By B. W. Prof. Frazier

(Read at the Wilkes-Barre Meeting, May, 1877.) THIS interesting application of the laws of thermodynamics to metallurgical practice has not been discussed by any writer, within my reading, except the late Prof. Gallon of Paris. In his Cours de Machines,* Prof. Callon has given a short but lucid discussion of this subject in the admirably clear style for which he was remarkable. Although the interest attached to the subject is rather theoretical than practical, I have thought that an attempt to explain the mechanical action exerted in the hot-blast oven might not be entirely devoid of utility, especially in the suggestions which it involves. The statement, that the mechanical work performed in heating the blast is, when high temperatures are produced, considerably greater than the work performed by the blowing-engine, may seem incredible to many who are practically acquainted with the subject, appearing, as it does, to conflict with the results of their experience. It is, nevertheless, literally true, and I shall attempt in this paper to prove it, and to explain why it has not rendered itself palpably manifest in practice. Before proceeding to the mathematical demonstration, it will be well to recall to mind the definitions of some terms employed by writers in mechanics and thermodynamics. The actual energy of a moving body, as defined by Rankine, is the work which it is capable of performing against a retarding resistance before being brought to rest, and is equal to the energy which must be exerted on the body to bring it from a state of rest to its actual velocity. The value of that quantity is the product of the weight of the body into the height from which it must fall to acquire its actual velocity. * Vol. I, chap. x, [§ ] 4, p. 312.

Jan 1, 1878

By B. W. Frazier

This interesting application of the laws of thermodynamics to metallurgical practice has not been discussed by any writer, within my reading, except the late Prof. Callon of Paris. In his Cours de Machines," Prof. Callon has given a short but lucid discussion of this subject in the admirably clear style for which he was remarkable. Although the interest attached. to the subject is rather theoretical than practical, I have thought that an attempt to explain the mechanical action exerted in the hot-blast oven might not be entirely devoid of utility, especially in the suggestions which it involves. The statement, that the mechanical work performed in heating the blast is, when high temperatures are produced, considerably greater than the work performed by the blowing-engine, may seem incredible to many who are practically acquainted with the subject, appearing, as it does, to conflict with the results of their experience. It is, nevertheless, literally true, and I shall attempt in this paper to prove it, and to explain why it has not rendered itself palpably manifest in practice. Before proceeding to the mathematical demonstration, it will be well to recall to mind the definitions of some terms employed by writers in mechanics and thermodynamics. The actual energy of a moving body, as defined by Rankine, is the work which it is capable of performing against a retarding resistance before being brought to rest, and is equal to the energy which must be exerted on the body to bring it from a state of rest to its actual velocity. The value of that quantity is the product of the weight of the body into the height from which it must fall to acquire its actual velocity.

Jan 1, 1879

By Reynold Q. Shotts

Chemical methods, based on the relative rates of oxidation of fusain, bright coal, and dull coal by nitric acid, have been devised to determine these coal components.1-4 Results obtained by oxidation methods for fusain have been checked against results obtained from microscopic methods on duplicate samples of the same coals, but to the author's knowledge this has not been done for bright and dull coal components. For this reason it is not certain that the two methods of analysis identify essentially the same chemical or physical units. It would be highly desirable to see results of the application of both methods to duplicate samples, but in the absence of any such data the author has attacked the problem indirectly. From the U. S. Bureau of Mines samples were obtained of three Alabama coals which the USBM had analyzed optically and reported on over the past 30 years. These samples were subjected to analyses by oxidation rate methods. Results of this work, and comparisons with the USBM analyses, have been published. This was the first indirect approach to the problem. The present report attempts a second indirect approach by way of internal validation.

Jun 1, 1955

By Sherwin Kelly

The prime objective of geophysical exploration is to promote the economical and rapid dis-covery of mineral or oil deposits of commercial value. To a few this concept as applied in min-ing may signify the direct discovery of ore-bodies, but to the geophysical engineer this latter Idea is one of the most insidious and detrimental misapprehensions which he has to combat. The destruction of this annoying obstacle to the progress of geophysical exploration reveals the kernel of truth behind it, that the exploration geophysicist has for the better part of two decades been concerned primarily with the discovery of mineral formations favorable to the occur-rence of commercial ore. There is a very real distinction here, since geophysical methods are capable of discovering certain mineral formations such as sulphide bodies or quartz veins, but are totally incompetent to predict whether or not they constitute ore; that is. whether or not they contain minerals of economic value in the amounts requisite to repay extraction. The art of geophysical exploration is now, however, rapidly outgrowing these early limita-tions. The rate of this growth will in large measure depend on the recognition by the mining industry of the fact that geophysics can play a role far wider and more important than it usual-ly does now, in guiding the future exploration and development of mineral deposits. It is my own firm conviction that as time marches on we will see the methods of applied geophysics turned more and more to the delineation of both minor and major structural features. The outlining of such features having a bearing on the probable loci of mineral deposition will be of inestimable value in guiding the development of a mining district. It is in this field that there will In-evitably occur a meeting and overlapping of the activities of the exploration geophysicists and

Jan 1, 1940

By Sherwin Kelly

The prime objective of geophysical exploration is to promote the economical and rapid dis-covery of mineral or oil deposits of commercial value. To a few this concept as applied in min-ing may signify the direct discovery of ore-bodies, but to the geophysical engineer this latter Idea is one of the most insidious and detrimental misapprehensions which he has to combat. The destruction of this annoying obstacle to the progress of geophysical exploration reveals the kernel of truth behind it, that the exploration geophysicist has for the better part of two decades been concerned primarily with the discovery of mineral formations favorable to the occur-rence of commercial ore. There is a very real distinction here, since geophysical methods are capable of discovering certain mineral formations such as sulphide bodies or quartz veins, but are totally incompetent to predict whether or not they constitute ore; that is. whether or not they contain minerals of economic value in the amounts requisite to repay extraction. The art of geophysical exploration is now, however, rapidly outgrowing these early limita-tions. The rate of this growth will in large measure depend on the recognition by the mining industry of the fact that geophysics can play a role far wider and more important than it usual-ly does now, in guiding the future exploration and development of mineral deposits. It is my own firm conviction that as time marches on we will see the methods of applied geophysics turned more and more to the delineation of both minor and major structural features. The outlining of such features having a bearing on the probable loci of mineral deposition will be of inestimable value in guiding the development of a mining district. It is in this field that there will In-evitably occur a meeting and overlapping of the activities of the exploration geophysicists and

Jan 1, 1940

By S. B. Christy

The practice of the cyanide-process of gold-extraction has brought to light many important contradictions of familiar chemical analogies, which still obscure both the theory and the practice of the art with distinctions subtler and more difficult to make or follow than those which delighted the heart of the old-time metaphysician. Yet Nature herself has drawn these distinctions; and if we hope to succeed in this modern search for the Golden Fleece, we must be able to follow her through the winding labyrinth. There are so many phases of this question that I shall attempt to touch on only one of them at this time, but it is one that lies at the root of many others. In reviewing my paper on " The Solution and Precipitation of Cyanide of Gold,"* Mr. E. B. Wilson contends† that" in the solution of gold by means of alkaline cyanides the various reactions are determined, as to their order and intensity, by the relative position of the elements concerned in the electro-chemical series, or series of voltaic tension." In a modified form this statement is probably true. That is to say, the difference of electrical potential in any closed electrical circuit determines the nature of the reactions which ensue. But the matter is not so simple as Mr. Wilson assumes. Recent investigations show that the order of the metals in the electro-chemical series depends not only on the nature of the elements themselves, but also on the chemical composition of the solution in which they are placed; its degree of concentration; its temperature; and, in the case of gases, on the pressure. Unless all these conditions are taken into account, inferences drawn from the electro-chemical series are likely to prove more

Jan 1, 1901

By Nicholas J. Grant, Oliver Preston

A series of dilute solid solutions of a1uminum and silicon in copper, in powder -form, were internally oxidized, compacted, and extruded, to produce Cu-A12O3 and Cu-SiO2 alloys with 0.1 to 12 vol pct of oxide. Room-temperature tensile tests, creep-rupture tests from 450oto 850°C. conductivity measurements, and recrys-tallzzation studies were made. Oxide particle size and interparticle spacings were determined in an effort to relate the structure to measured strength values by means of known dispersion strengthening theories. A new dispersion strengthening theory, based on the effect of the dispersed phase on the retention of strain energy from the deformation step, zs proposed for this type of alloy, THE study of dispersion strengthening is of partitular interest in high-temperature materials technology in view of the excellent creep-rupture Properties and thermal stability achieved with SAP.1-5 Considerable effort has been devoted to this study in recent years, and encouraging results have been obtained in a number of systems.6 In general, the most

Jan 1, 1962

By Robert Corcoran, George Wiener

A study of the orientations and microstructure of 3 pct Si Fe alloys after deformation and recrystallization has been made. The components found after deformation agreed with recently published work on single crystals, being primarily (001) [110], (111) [110], and (111) {112}. A pronounced effect of temperature of recrystalliza-tion was found on microstructure and orientation. Low temperature recrystallization was interpreted in terms of low angle boundaries which resulted in the retention of a large amount of the deformation texture. High temperature recrystallization was interpreted in terms of high angle boundaries which gave rise to new components. No simple angular relation between the deformation and high temperature recrystalliza-tion textures could be detected. DEFORMATION and recrystallization behavior of 3 pct Si-Fe has been the subject of scientific investigation for many years. The fact that it is a single phase body-centered-cubic alloy from room temperature to the melting point permits study over a wide range of temperature without the complications of phase transformations. There is an important commercial interest in this material as well, since it is widely used in the electrical industry. In the present work the deformation and recrystallization behavior of poly crystal line silicon iron has been studied with the primary purpose of evaluating the effect of a second phase impurity on both processes as well as the effect of temperature on the recrystallization characteristics. With regard to deformation, the emphasis has been placed on a study of the crys-

Jan 1, 1957

By Alan Morris

The investigation of the hot-working properties of metals and alloys furnishes a problem which has been attacked in many ways. Tensile, impact and hardness tests on heated specimens have furnished interesting data, but in most cases either the tests are difficult to make or the results hard to translate into terms of practical value. Some investigators have used the drop hammer to advantage. It furnishes a rapid and simple method of comparing the plasticity of metals at elevated temperatures. The indications obtained by its use are of value only in so far as their significance is understood and they can be intelligently used to predict the behavior of a given metal under given hot-working conditions. The work reported here was undertaken not only to add something to the existing volume of such data but also to contribute to our understanding of the results. Doerinckel and Trockels1 used cylindrical specimens and determined the work required to reduce the specimen to one-half the original height. Ellis2 studied the effect of constitution on the malleability of steel at high temperature. His method and that of Kent3 were similar to the one used in the present work. The tests described by Kent were made on samples of tin, zinc, aluminum, copper, lead, 70:30 and 60:40 brasses, with and without a small quantity of lead. He concluded that the test would "indicate whether a material can be forged at a given temperature without cracking." This interpretation must be used with caution. While it is probably true within limits, one must consider the severity of the forging operation. Again, it will not apply strictly to forms of hot working other than forging. For instance, an alloy running 61.0 per cent. copper, 3.25 per cent. lead, remainder zinc, will crack badly in the test, yet, it is extruded commercially. When the possibility of hot-working a new alloy is being considered a study of its drop-hammer test should help

Jan 1, 1931

By George W. Bain

The good work of the surveys supported by the different branches of the government needs little mention to geologists but is underappreciated by people at large. Geologists and engineers realize their usefulness and yet even from this group one hears occasionally an undercurrent of discontent about their work or the distribution of it. The very fact that discontent arises within and without this group and has drawn attention of legislative bodies of the country in the present time of stress means that a large number of people do not receive or do not realize that they receive benefit from these public works. This seems to be a clear indication that more than the relations between government surveys and the mining industry is involved and that if the mining industry is interested in continuation of the work of these surveys on the past scale they must consider the other survey divisions and their activity. Also, relations between government surveys and certain specialized types of mining have not been as close as they should be. I have been employed in almost the entire range of fields offered to geologists and have studied closely the feeling of people towards geological service. Recently it has been a pleasure to be closely associated with men who were as deeply interested in civic welfare and affairs of state as in the financial success of a large industry developing natural resources. Previously I had seen service in a national survey, a state survey, summer employment by a large mining company exploring new property and detailed geological work for a large corporation. Major responsibility as a college instructor has left me free to view each of these assignments in unprejudiced fashion and at the same time study the relation of government surveys to large natural resource industries, average industrial and construction work and service to nongeologists and laymen. Considerations Governing Geologic Public Service Three groups of people must be satisfied by the surveys if dissatisfaction is to be dispelled. First there is a large group of people who pay taxes to support the government activities and must receive some service

Jan 1, 1935

By Ligon Johnson

ONLY the acute phase of the smelter fume problem is new. The problem itself is older than the Christian era. While both lead and copper were mined and crudely smelted ; on: 3,000 years ago, it was not until the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula and the British Isles, which occurred but shortly before the beginning of the Christian era, that there was any evidence of smelting operations on a scale sufficiently large to permit a fume problem. Around Huelva, Spain, are found more than 30 million tons of slag from lead smelting conducted there by the Romans. Pliny tells us that more than 20,000 slaves were employed in the Iberian mines. Extensive mining and smelting by the Romans in England and Wales were coincident with the Iberian proceedings. These metallurgical operations were upon a sufficiently large scale to produce marked results both upon the surrounding country and the smelter workers, but, as they were those of a conqueror upon conquered soil, conducted by slaves, imperial Rome failed to recognize that such a thing as a smoke problem did or could arise, and whatever fume question there may have been at that .time remained a question only to those who had no chance to answer any phase of it. The smelting operations of the Romans extended over about 400 years, and little is "recorded of lead and copper smelting from that time until the 16th century. From the revival beginning at this period up to the present century, the growth of smelting has been comparatively gradual. In Great Britain, smelting was conducted almost wholly in localities where metallurgical operations were of paramount importance, and the communities that grew up in smelter localities were due to and dependent upon the mines and smelters. This fact had much to do with the comparative freedom of British smelting from burdensome fume litigation and legislation. To a lesser degree these conditions applied to the German operations which, when coupled with the further fact that most of the early German operations were to a greater or less degree fiscal workings of Prussia, Saxony and Brunswick-Hanover; accounts for

Jan 5, 1917

By George W. Bain

The good work of the surveys supported by the different branches of the government needs little mention to geologists but is underappreciated by people at large. Geologists and engineers realize their usefulness and yet even from this group one hears occasionally an undercurrent of discontent about their work or the distribution of it. The very fact that discontent arises within and without this group and has drawn attention of legislative bodies of the country in the present time of stress means that a large number of people do not receive or do not realize that they receive benefit from these public works. This seems to be a clear indication that more than the relations between government surveys and the mining industry is involved and that if the mining industry is interested in continuation of the work of these surveys on the past scale they must consider the other survey divisions and their activity. Also, relations between government surveys and certain specialized types of mining have not been as close as they should be. I have been employed in almost the entire range of fields offered to geologists and have studied closely the feeling of people towards geological service. Recently it has been a pleasure to be closely associated with men who were as deeply interested in civic welfare and affairs of state as in the financial success of a large industry developing natural resources. Previously I had seen service in a national survey, a state survey, summer employment by a large mining company exploring new property and detailed geological work for a large corporation. Major responsibility as a college instructor has left me free to view each of these assignments in unprejudiced fashion and at the same time study the relation of government surveys to large natural resource industries, average industrial and construction work and service to nongeologists and laymen. Considerations Governing Geologic Public Service Three groups of people must be satisfied by the surveys if dissatisfaction is to be dispelled. First there is a large group of people who pay taxes to support the government activities and must receive some service

Jan 1, 1935

By Ligon Johnson

. Only the acute phase of the smelter fume problem is new. The problem itself is older than the Christian era. While both lead and copper were mined and crudely smelted some 3000 years ago, it was not until the Roman occupation of the Iberian . Peninsula and the British Isles, which occurred but shortly before the beginning of the Christian era, that there was any evidence of smelting operations on a scale sufficiently large to permit a fume problem. Around Huelva, Spain, are found more than 30 million tons of slag from lead smelting conducted there by the Romans. Pliny tells US that more than 20,000 slaves were employed in the Iberian mines. Extensive mining and smelting by the Romans in England and Wales were coincident with the Iberian proceedings. These metallurgical operations were upon a sufficiently large scale to produce marked results both upon the surrounding country and the smelter workers, but, as they were those of a conqueror upon conquered soil, conducted by slaves, imperial Rome failed to recognize that such a thing as a smoke problem did or could arise, and whatever fume question there may have been at that time remained a question only to those who had no chance to answer any phase of it. The smelting operations of the Romans extended over about 400 years, and little is recorded of lead and copper smelting from that time until the 16th century. From the revival beginning at this period up to the present century, the growth of smelting has been comparatively gradual. In Great Britain, smelting was conducted almost wholly in localities where metallurgical operations were of paramount importance, and the communities .that grew up in smelter localities were due to and dependent upon the mines and smelters. This fact had much to do with the comparative freedom of British smelting from burdensome fume litigation and legislation. To a lesser degree these conditions applied to the German operations which, when coupled with the further fact that most of the early German operations were to a greater or less degree fiscal workings of Prussia, Saxony and Brunswick-Hanover, accounts for

Jan 1, 1918