Search Documents

By D. W. Jessup

THE handling of native labor is offering an interesting problem that requires diplomacy. It is difficult to induce many of the men to leave their villages and enter into regular work. They do not feel the necessity of manual labor other than to obtain sufficient money to pay the annual hut tax and to buy a little clothing. The ground provides mealies (corn) which means food and beer, he hunts and catches fish, so why work? But gradually, as the native becomes more civilized, his wants increase and his ideas change; he now needs money to supply his desires and eventually he must work more. So in time it is hoped that the labor market will be better supplied.

Jan 1, 1931

By W. A. Ver Wiebe

Under the impetus of new demands caused by the war, the oil and gas industries of Kansas established new records during the year 1942. In all, 1513 test wells were drilled, which is somewhat of a drop from the figure of 2113 for 1941. The 1513 tests yielded 800 new oil wells, 85 new gas wells, and 628 dry holes. Thus there was an increase in two categories, the gas wells and the dry holes. Considering that last year only 592 dry holes were completed out of a much larger total, the figure of 628 dry holes causes some concern among local operators. The increase in unsuccessful tests illustrates once more the fact that each year it is becoming harder to find the remaining oil pools. When the figures are broken down, it appears that western Kansas accounted for 1177 tests, of which 689 were oil wells, 33 gas wells, and 455 dry holes. The total potential daily initial production uncovered by the successful wells amounted to 753,178 bbl. of oil and 619,734,000 cu. it. of gas. The figures for new initial production indicate a substantial drop from last year's figure of 1,691,000 bbl., and the figures on gas are slightly higher. In 1941 the new gas as based on a daily potential was 508,000,-000 cu. ft. In eastern Kansas, 336 wells were drilled. Among these in were oil wells, accounting for a daily initial potential production of 16,199 bbl. The new gas wells numbered 52 and added 253,725,000 cu. ft. per day to the gas potential production of the state. The remaining tests, 173 in number, were dry. It is interesting and perhaps significant that about half (630) of the wells drilled in western Kansas were drilled by the independent operators. Among the large companies, the Cities Service Oil Co. drilled 163 wells; the Stanolind Oil and Gas Co., 52; the Skelly Oil Co., 39; the Continental Oil Co., 48; and the Shell Petroleum Co., 21 wells. In eastern Kansas the independent operators drilled 297 out of the total of 336 wells. Among the major oil companies the Cities Service Oil Co. drilled 19; the Phillips Petroleum Co. 7; and the Sinclair-Prairie Oil Co., 6 wells. The figures based on relative percentages of dry holes to successful oil or gas wells are revealing. In western Kansas almost one half of all wells drilled by the independent operators were dry holes. The major oil companies drilled approximately 547 wells in western Kansas, of which 379 were successful in finding either oil or gas. It thus appears that the major companies fared better than the independents. In eastern Kansas the major companies drilled 39 wells, of which 29 were successful in finding commercial quantities of oil or of gas. No less than 329 wildcat test holes were put down in western Kansas and 105 in eastern Kansas, or 434 in all, during 1942. Considerably more than half of these were drilled by independent operators; 223 in western and 99 in eastern Kansas. An exploratory hole 56 mile or more from production is regarded as a wildcat well in Kansas. On a percentage basis, about 80 per cent of wildcat wells were failures. In western Kansas only 20 per cent found either oil or gas. The failures were about equally distributed among the major

Jan 1, 1943

By W. A. Ver Wiebe

Under the impetus of new demands caused by the war, the oil and gas industries of Kansas established new records during the year 1942. In all, 1513 test wells were drilled, which is somewhat of a drop from the figure of 2113 for 1941. The 1513 tests yielded 800 new oil wells, 85 new gas wells, and 628 dry holes. Thus there was an increase in two categories, the gas wells and the dry holes. Considering that last year only 592 dry holes were completed out of a much larger total, the figure of 628 dry holes causes some concern among local operators. The increase in unsuccessful tests illustrates once more the fact that each year it is becoming harder to find the remaining oil pools. When the figures are broken down, it appears that western Kansas accounted for 1177 tests, of which 689 were oil wells, 33 gas wells, and 455 dry holes. The total potential daily initial production uncovered by the successful wells amounted to 753,178 bbl. of oil and 619,734,000 cu. it. of gas. The figures for new initial production indicate a substantial drop from last year's figure of 1,691,000 bbl., and the figures on gas are slightly higher. In 1941 the new gas as based on a daily potential was 508,000,-000 cu. ft. In eastern Kansas, 336 wells were drilled. Among these in were oil wells, accounting for a daily initial potential production of 16,199 bbl. The new gas wells numbered 52 and added 253,725,000 cu. ft. per day to the gas potential production of the state. The remaining tests, 173 in number, were dry. It is interesting and perhaps significant that about half (630) of the wells drilled in western Kansas were drilled by the independent operators. Among the large companies, the Cities Service Oil Co. drilled 163 wells; the Stanolind Oil and Gas Co., 52; the Skelly Oil Co., 39; the Continental Oil Co., 48; and the Shell Petroleum Co., 21 wells. In eastern Kansas the independent operators drilled 297 out of the total of 336 wells. Among the major oil companies the Cities Service Oil Co. drilled 19; the Phillips Petroleum Co. 7; and the Sinclair-Prairie Oil Co., 6 wells. The figures based on relative percentages of dry holes to successful oil or gas wells are revealing. In western Kansas almost one half of all wells drilled by the independent operators were dry holes. The major oil companies drilled approximately 547 wells in western Kansas, of which 379 were successful in finding either oil or gas. It thus appears that the major companies fared better than the independents. In eastern Kansas the major companies drilled 39 wells, of which 29 were successful in finding commercial quantities of oil or of gas. No less than 329 wildcat test holes were put down in western Kansas and 105 in eastern Kansas, or 434 in all, during 1942. Considerably more than half of these were drilled by independent operators; 223 in western and 99 in eastern Kansas. An exploratory hole 56 mile or more from production is regarded as a wildcat well in Kansas. On a percentage basis, about 80 per cent of wildcat wells were failures. In western Kansas only 20 per cent found either oil or gas. The failures were about equally distributed among the major

Jan 1, 1943

By V. H. Wilhelm

In contrast with the previous year's activity, the California oil industry for 1938 showed a decrease in drilling, market demand, and discovery of new oil reserves, although there was an increase in oil production. Although additions to reserves from new fields and extensions were less than withdrawals during the year, reappraisals of discoveries in 1937 added to new discoreries during 1938 amounted to over 300,000,000 bbl. The following comparative statement shows the important changes in various phases of the industry: Throughout the year the storage situation became progressively more acute, owing principally to less Pacific foreign demand, and increased potential from drilling the newly discovered fields and pools (Fig. 1). California storage increased approximately 32,000,000 bbl. during 1938, most of which (approximately 18,000,000 bbl.) was heavy crude and residuum. The market demand for the year was around 600,000 bbl. per day. Because of the trend toward Diesel power for heavy transportation, the non-gasoline-bearing crudes arc fast becoming a drug on the market. New discoveries were instrumental in increasing the potential production of the state from 1,076,000 bbl. per day in January to an all-time high of 1,420,000 bbl. per day at the close of the year; although the indicated reserves of these new discoveries were not equal to the yearly withdrawal of 249,000,000 bbl. As of the end of 1938, the state was voluntarily curtailed about 58 per cent. As a result of prospecting during the year, six new fields were discovered, three fields were extended, and deeper zones were reached in five of the older fields.

Jan 1, 1939

By V. H. Wilhelm

In contrast with the previous year's activity, the California oil industry for 1938 showed a decrease in drilling, market demand, and discovery of new oil reserves, although there was an increase in oil production. Although additions to reserves from new fields and extensions were less than withdrawals during the year, reappraisals of discoveries in 1937 added to new discoreries during 1938 amounted to over 300,000,000 bbl. The following comparative statement shows the important changes in various phases of the industry: Throughout the year the storage situation became progressively more acute, owing principally to less Pacific foreign demand, and increased potential from drilling the newly discovered fields and pools (Fig. 1). California storage increased approximately 32,000,000 bbl. during 1938, most of which (approximately 18,000,000 bbl.) was heavy crude and residuum. The market demand for the year was around 600,000 bbl. per day. Because of the trend toward Diesel power for heavy transportation, the non-gasoline-bearing crudes arc fast becoming a drug on the market. New discoveries were instrumental in increasing the potential production of the state from 1,076,000 bbl. per day in January to an all-time high of 1,420,000 bbl. per day at the close of the year; although the indicated reserves of these new discoveries were not equal to the yearly withdrawal of 249,000,000 bbl. As of the end of 1938, the state was voluntarily curtailed about 58 per cent. As a result of prospecting during the year, six new fields were discovered, three fields were extended, and deeper zones were reached in five of the older fields.

Jan 1, 1939

With the inauguration of Petroleum Technology this year, and approval by the Board to add an Assistant Secretary to the New York staff to serve the Petroleum and Coal Divisions, the Petroleum Division looks forward to greater opportunities and responsibilities. An improved medium of publication offers further incentive to engineers and investigators in the oil industry to make contributions. The authorization by the Board of Directors of a new Assistant Secretary is an appreciation of the splendid contributions made to the industry by the open forum of the Petroleum Division. It is also a recognition of the possibilities of greater service to the membership along the lines established ten to fifteen years ago by DeGolyer, Fohs, Ambrose and Lovejoy, to mention a few leaders. It isexpected that the new officer will spend a substantial part of his time in the field, visiting the student sections, the respective Divisions, helping in the arrangement of papers and Section meetings and intensifying interest in the Institute. The Petroleum Division will hold three meetings this year. The Fall Meetings will be held on Oct. 6 and 7 in San Antonio and on Oct. 20 and 21 in Los Angeles. The programs for these meetings will deal chiefly with engineering research and production engineering problems. Papers on production statistics and general economics of the industry are reserved for the Annual Meeting in New York. The annual production symposium and statistics are accepted as standard for the industry. With continuously deeper penetration into the earth in search for and exploitation of petroleum, it is necessary to have a better understanding of reservoir conditions and to place more phases of the operation under engineering control. Among the subjects relating to reservoir conditions tha thave been proposed for the fall meeting programs are phase equilibria at high pressures, interfacial tension between oil and water, the flow of oil and water through sands, the chemistry of films and underground temperatures. Investigations relating to control of operations include methods of continuously logging while drilling both visually and electrically, methods of studying drilling samples, properties of drilling fluids, improved cementing practices for isolating thin sands under high-temperature conditions and gas conservation, particularly production from high-pressure reservoirs. Additional suggestions of general themes or individual subjects will be welcomed, since it is desirable to build a backlog of material for Petroleum Technology. 9

Jan 1, 1938

By PHILIP N. MOORE

THE problem of managing the policies of the Institute so that a middle course may be drawn between the close control of a few who are so situated that they can give continuing attention and intermittent control by occasionally present directors presentation .of the subject is to bring clearly before the membership of the Institute a summary of the attendance at the Directors' meetings for the past four years.

Jan 1, 1924

By F. Keller, A. H. Geisler

Some of the important changes that take place in the structure of aluminum alloys are largely submicroscopic in character. This is especially true of the changes that accompany age-hardening and recrystallization. Although improved metallographic practices have been helpful in indicating some of these changes indirectly, results are limited by the resolving power of optical microscope lenses. The electron microscope, however, provides a new and important means for investigating the fine structure of metals in a range not possible heretofore. It is anticipated that this microscope will yield new and useful information to metallurgists when suitable techniques are developed to utilize its very high resolving power. Several unique methods have been devised to permit the examination of the structure of opaque samples by the electron microscope. These are all based on the principle of producing a very thin film that represents the prepared surface of the opaque metal sample, which can be examined in the transmission microscope; however, the available methods fall into three categories, depending on the manner in which the film is obtained. With the oxide-film method developed by Mahl3-17 a very thin surface layer of the metallographic sample is converted into oxide by a thermal, chemical or anodic treatment. After removal from the metal sample by one of the special techniques described by Evans,19 this oxide film is examined in the electron microscope, and is found to portray the structure of the original metal surface. Films formed on aluminum,8,17 nickel,7 iron 3,8,9 and a nickel-beryllium alloy" by heating; films formed on iron 8.9 by chemical action; and films formed on aluminum3-16 by anodic oxidation, have been examined. The other two are more recent methods developed principally in this country; they consist in making the thin film in the form of a mold or replica of the surface contour of an etched sample. With the negative replica method the thin film is made directly on the sample; with the positive replica method it is made on a negative reproduction of the sample. With both methods, variations in the contour of the metal sample, caused mainly by etching, produce variations in the thickness of the surface replica. Because of the direct dependence of the amount of scattering of the illuminating electrons upon the thickness of the film penetrated, only the variations in thickness of the replica are responsible for tones in the electron image. Negative replicas are made by forming a thin film of some suitable material directly on the polished and etched metal sample, and derive their name from the fact that after removal from the sample they have the high and low points in the sample reversed, as shown in Fig. I. Nega-

Jan 1, 1944

By B. F. Bush

THE coal-fields of Missouri, situated hi the northern and western portion of the State, are distributed, in whole or in part, over 57 counties, embracing an area estimated by Mr. Broad-head to be practically 23,000 sq. miles, including small detached beds and outliers in St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren counties in the eastern part of the State. This area includes about 8,000 sq. miles of Upper or Barren Measures, 2,000 sq. miles of exposed Middle, and 12,420 sq. miles of exposed Lower Measures. In a general way, the Missouri coal-field is bounded on the east by an imaginary line entering the northern part of the State just east of the 92c1 Meridian and passing across the State in a southwesterly direction to a point on the Kansas-Missouri line a little below the southern boundary of Barton county. An important part of the field overlaps this line and extends down the northern side of the Missouri river, under¬lying the greater part of Randolph, Howard, Boone and Audrain counties. In all, 34 counties produced coal during the year 1903. Fig. 1 shows the position of the coal-fields in Missouri. GEOLOGICAL FEATURES. The Coal Measure formations, all of the Carboniferous age, rest unconformably upon the rocks of the sub-Carboniferous or Mississippian series, and, in some cases, upon the rocks of the Devonian and Silurian ages. From their outcrop on the eastern and southeastern borders of the field, the Measures dip west to northwest at the rate of 10 ft. per mile, reaching a maximum thickness estimated by

Jan 1, 1905

By C. W. Pollock

THAT a distressing explosion of some magnitude did not take place in the Berry No. 3 mine of the Ford Collieries Co. recently was solely because no source of ignition was present when the stage was set for such an occurrence. The mines of this company, which are in West Deer Township, Allegheny' County, Pa., have been operating in the double or thick Freeport seam since 1.909. During this entire period they have been classed as gaseous by the Pennsylvania Department of Mines, and some gas has been encountered from time to time almost entirely however in development work in the vicinity of clay veins or wants-and never to my knowledge on gobs or in rib work.

Jan 1, 1935

By Oscar Weiss

An aerial magnetometer survey was carried out by the author's geophysical organization over the Vredefort dome, where Witwatersrand beds are wrapped around a granite plug 25 to 30 miles in diameter. The well- known magnetic shales of the Lower Witwatersrand system (to be referred to as LWW) give strong negative anomalies over the out-cropping portion of the dome. This is unusual as these same shales -cause positive anomalies over large areas near Johannesburg and along a strike of 130 miles between the East Rand and Klerksdorp. It is suggested that the negative polarization is caused by heat and stresses connected with the doming. This negative polarization of sedimentary beds, which usually cause positive anomalies, is a good example of how "magnetic lows" can be caused by "structural highs." Significant magnetic anomalies should be tested by gravity and seismic methods irrespective of the sign of the anomalies.

Jan 1, 1949

By Franz Fohr

On July 27, 1919, there passed away a simple, unassuming gentle-man, who, throughout his life, allowed his intense modesty to keep him-self in the background and during his later years effaced himself so thoroughly that but few of his acquaintances knew aught of him. Yet he was one of our accomplished metallurgists, who did good work in the practice of his profession and lived an upright life. Now that he is no longer with us Franz Fohr cannot plead to be overlooked, and those who fondly remember him will be gratified by his receiving his due. Franz Fohr was born, Sept. 7, 1838, in Mannheim, Germany. Of his ancestry, education, and early career we know scarcely anything. We do not even know just when he came to America, or. what led him hither. The first record of his professional work in this country, found among his papers, shows that from July, 1870, to Jan. 1, 1872, he was superin-tendent of the Newark Smelting & Refining Works, then owned by Ed-ward Balbach & Son. At that time the Balbach works at Newark, established in 1850, and the Selby works at San Francisco, established about 1866, were the only important silver-lead refineries in the United States. Mr. Fohr may have been associated with the Balbachs for some time before he became superintendent of their plant or he may have come from Germany but a short time previously. At all events, it is certain that he was at that time an experienced and accomplished metallurgist. After leaving Newark and going to San Francisco, he soon formed a connection with Thomas H. Selby & Co. Early in 1874-this firm sent him to New York to procure information respecting the manufacture of white lead. His engagement in New York terminated on-Jan. 31, 1875. During 1875, Mr Fohr spent some time at Silver Islet and in the Lake Superior copper region, but of his work there no record remains. In the latter part of 1875, or early in 1876, he associated himself as metallur-gist with the Boston Silver Co., operating at Saint John's, Summit County, in which William L. Candler, of Boston, was the moving spirit. That company was developing its mine in 1875. At the end of that year it "had about 800 tons of ore on hand, about three-fourths of which is dress-ing ore, to be concentrated in its very systematic establishment and to be smelted into pig lead." Evidently Mr. Fohr was engaged for the latter purpose. Henry A. Vezin, erudite and painstaking, was the mechanical engineer for the company. In the fall of 1876, Anton Eilers took his family for the first time so far West as Denver and Mr. Fohr went with them. I do not think that Mr. Eilers had any connection with the Boston Silver Co., save possibly in a consulting capacity, but he visited Saint John's and the enduring friendship among Eilers, Fohr, and Vezin, which terminated only with their deaths, dated from that time.

Jan 12, 1919

By FREDERICK W. BRADLEY

MINING methods are evolved rather than devised; and the process is slow. The advance in no particular year is phenomenal, but progress is un- questionably being made constantly in several directions: (a) better adaptation to given conditions of various "systems" of mining; (b) better utilization of mechanical equipment ; (c) improvement in working conditions so as to promote the health, safety and efficiency of the workers. During the year 1930 operations were commenced at a number of important new mines. Methods adopted are not new, except in minor detail, but the fitting of methods to conditions is interesting, because, as the engineers presumably started from scratch, they have selected the methods that experience under similar conditions has indicated as being the best.

Jan 1, 1931

By H. F. Seifert

The classification and preparation of non-ferrous scrap mctals is a subject of interest to every individual and corporation that employs in its processes of manufacture non-ferrous metals and alloys and accurnulates in such manufacture scrap from these materials for disposition in the form of turnings, borings, short ends, punchings, clippings, grindings, washings, etc. All too frequently the disposition of such scrap is left to indivitluals who have no knowledge of the subject either from a metallurgical or a commercial standpoint, or both. Much money is thus lost whicli with a little more intelligent effort might be saved, and in this day of fierce competition and small profits such an opportunity cannot be ignored. The Mineral Resources of the United States for the year 1925, the latest issue available (Part 1, page 221), gives the secondary non-ferrous metals of certain classes recovered in the United States for the year 1924 to 1925 as shown in Table 1. The figures are tabulated simply to give the reader some idea of the scope of the secondary non-ferrous metal industry. Approximately 900,000 tons of an annual value of $244,000,000 were recovered in the year cited. In 1916 (again using thc Mineral Resources of the United States as authority) the tonnage reclaimed was approximately 632,000 tons and the value, because of the high prices for metals prevailing at that time, amounted to $265,000,000. It is not the purpose of this paper to discuss smelting and refining operations or the feasibility of an organization, primarily engaged in some other activity, conducting smelting and refining operations to convert its own non-ferrous scrap metals and alloys. The classification and preparation of these non-ferrous materials is a preliminary step, regardless of what subsequent operations the material may pass through or where these operations may be conducted. For that reason the subject can he readily discussed without any reference to subsequent activities. Space must be provided, with suitable handling facilities, scales and the necessary storage bins where the material may be accumulated. The scope of the activity, the nature of the industry and the tonnage handled will determine, in a large measure, what preparation, if any, it rrlay he desirable to give these scrap materials to put them in the best niarketable condition. By preparation is rneant largely what, for the want of a

By D. E. Hawk, R. F. Burdyn, F. D. Patchen

Earlier work on a mud separator for barite recovery is extended to the design and construct ion of a rugged field unit. Problems associated with scale-up for field use include the me of dilution water and its effect on capacity, power requirements and pressures developed. Equations for these quantities are derived and applied in maximizing the beneficial effects of dilution and minimizing the power required. Tests on the full-size rotor show that its performance can be predicted by theory. The completed unit is compact and lighter than current decanting types. Its capacity is from 10 to 22 gal/min with corresponding barite recovery efficiencies of 92 to 86 per cent. INTRODUC'TION In an earlier publication a new type of centrifugal device was described for solid-liquid separations.l In that paper an operating equation was derived, and its validity demonstrated in laboratory scale experimentation. Some of the features apparent in this new device seem particularly well suited to the conservation of barite in field drilling-mud systems, hence the development was extended to the design and construction of a field unit. In the present paper the design problems associated with scale-up are considered. A full-scale, rugged self-contained field unit is described, and test results discussed which verify that the performance of the large field unit can be described by a simple operating equation. PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION OF SEPARATOR In principle, the new device is simply a perforated cylinder rotating within a body of fluid which is contained within a stationary case, as in Fig. 1. The frictional drag generated by the rotating cylinder causes part of the fluid to rotate. At the surface of the cylinder, assuming no slip occurs, the angular velocity of fluid and of the cylinder are identical. If there are suspended particles present of greater density than the fluid, the centrifugal force acting on these particles causes them to move radially away from the cylinder at some velocity vp . Where the Stokes settling equation holds, this velocity may be expressed as:2 d2 ?p rw2 If the case is provided with openings at both ends, a suspension can be pumped in at one end at a fixed rate. Part of the suspension can then be removed at a fixed rate at the other end of the case as underflow, and the remainder forced through the perforations and hollow shaft of the rotor to appear as effluent, also at a fixed rate. The radial component of the flow velocity of this stream as it reaches the rotor surface, is simply effluent flow rate divided by cylindrical surface area: Because up is a function of particle size, for some particular particle size, the velocities vp and v, will be equal in magnitude. This is defined as the critical particle size and represents the size above which all particles appear in the underflow and below which all particles appear in the effluent. For this equilibrium condition at the rotor surface, Eqs. 1 and 2 combined give

Jan 1, 1966

By William B. Potter

It is a time-honored custom in this, as in other kindred bodies, for the retiring President on giving place to his successor, after a year of official duties which have been the means of directing his attention in a more than usual degree to the work and interests of the Association, to report the results of his observations from this outlook, and the thoughts that may be suggested by the view. In looking out over the many fields of activity within the range of this Institute, the attention may be arrested by special features marking recent progress and development, or such as by their meager outline or lack of important detail stand in less pleasing contrast, or. even form unsightly objects in the view. It may be that the special field and particular work in which one is engaged will, when observed from the more distant standpoint, or in the light of the whole outlook of the profession, assume a different aspect or develop features of new interest and importance. In this way some special object may suggest to the observer a, fitting theme for the occasion. To others, again, an outline of the whole view may seem a more useful subject for study and review. All fields are examined and the wide horizon of the whole profession scanned to note and report whatever is new in knowledge and practice—the new permanent bench-marks that appear near the horizon designating ground definitely located; the stakes which mark reconnoissance into new territory, and even the prominent objects that faintly appear through the mist of the distant atmosphere, and which may serve later on as points of attachment for the advancing lines of survey into the unknown. And besides these, there is the progress of the work in older and nearer fields—what has been attempted, what accomplished,

Jan 1, 1889

Edgar Archibald Collins was born at Truro, Cornwall, Nov. 16; 1877. He was the fifth (and youngest) son of J. H. Collins, a well known Cornish geologist and engineer, who died in 1916. Edgar Collins spent part of his childhood at Rio Tinto, in Spain, and after returning to England was educated at Alleyne's School at Dulwich, near London. His technical training was acquired by practical experience in Cornwall, supplemented by private study and by his father's teaching. This method of training for the work of a mining engineer was preferred by his father to that of the technical schools then available, and judging by its result, was not unsuccessful. It is,-however, noteworthy that all members of the Collins family who were products of this system later sent, or planned to send, their own sons to technical schools. Edgar Collins came to Gilpin County, Colorado, in 1894, and returned there in 1898, after several intermediate years spent in Cornwall. In Colorado he worked, under his brother Arthur, in the California and other mines of the Gilpin County district, and thereby gained a practical skill and experience as a working miner, and a habit of minute observation of vein phenomena, which proved of the greatest value in later years. In 1899 he went to the Smuggler-Union it Telluride, as general assistant to his brother Arthur, and stood the brunt of 3 years of struggle with the Western Federation, gaining a reputation, for quiet courage and sound work under the most difficult conditions. After Arthur Collins' assassination in the Smuggler-Union office, in November, 1902, Edgar left Telluride, and shortly thereafter entered the employment of a syndicate headed by Arthur Winslow, of Boston, to search for and develop new mines. While so engaged he spent several unsuccessful months near Parral, in Mexico, and later visited and sampled the- newly discovered district of Grandpa, afterward known as Goldfield, in Nevada. This led to the acquisition by the Winslow syndicate of the Combination mine, at first under lease and option; and Edgar Collins was placed in charge. The Combination was really the starting point of Goldfield. It was a profitable mine before the discoveries at the Jumbo were made; and while the Combination, being a "Company-account" mine, controlled by a few responsible men, never attracted the publicity that centered around the sensationally profitable leases on the Jumbo and Mohawk, which publicity was used to further the feverish stock-dealings that characterized the new district. The Combination was really the pioneer mine, made the first shipments of rich ore, constructed the first water-line, and built the first mill (designed by F. L. Bosqui, an old friend and associate); and while it pursued a quiet and unobtrusive. career up to the time of its sale to and incorporation with the Goldfield Consolidated, was probably, in ;proportion to the amount of money risked, the most profitable bonanza in the recent history of gold mining.

Jan 11, 1918

By Charles A. Ashburner

DURING the early part of August, 1880, I was directed by Prof. J. P. Lesley, State Geologist, to assume charge of the geology and mapping. of the Second Geological Survey of the anthracite codfields. I visited the region uninaumbered by any instructions other than this,—that I should submit a plan for making the sur-

Jan 1, 1881

By AIME AIME

FOR the development of a mine, a shaft of small cross-section is usually sunk, of no larger size than is absolutely necessary. After the mine has been developed and put on a production basis it is a common practice to sink a shaft of larger cross-section for hoisting and use the original shaft for the handling of men and material into the mine. While that ar¬rangement is usually expedient, the small size of the supply cages presents a problem in the handling of ma¬terial. Where a cage is, say, 4 by 4 ft., which is not an uncommon size, all lengthy and bulky material must be handled piece by piece several times from the supply department to the underground stations. Thus drill steel and timbers over 4 ft. long will be loaded on cars at the supply department and wheeled to the shaft, where each piece must be unloaded from the cars and stood up in the cage. They are then lowered to the shaft station, unloaded piece by piece and placed in cars, run to the supply station and again unloaded and stored until called for. In such a case handling becomes a major item in the cost of supplies.

Jan 1, 1930

By C. L. Sainsbury

Lode and placer tin deposits of the western Seward Peninsula, Alaska, have produced more than 2200 tons of metallic tin and constitute the only known domestic deposits of economic grade and size. The lode deposits consist of quartz-topaz greisens containing cassiterite and wolframite as well as numerous base-metal sulfide minerals, and most are in or near altered biotite-granite that forms isolated stocks or in rhyolitic dikes near granite. Within the main lode-producing area in the central York Mountains, nonpegmatite beryllium deposits, consisting principally of fluorite, chrysoberyl, diaspore, tourmaline, and white mica, with minor euclase, bertrandite, phenakite, hematite, and todorokite, are distributed zonally around the tin deposits and locally are transitional with them. All the known beryllium deposits are replacement lodes in carbonate rocks. In the area discussed, both tin and beryllium deposits are localized in a structural belt striking N70° to N85°E across the central York Mountains. The belt is characterized by numerous normal faults, which cut extensive thrust sheets, and by dikes of rhyolite, rhyolite porphyry, and lamprophyre that were injected along the faults. Ore deposits are localized where the dikes intrude brecciated rocks beneath thrusts and, although complex in detail, form tabular lodes that tend to lie along the thrusts. The granites contain abnormal amounts of tin, beryllium, lithium, and boron, and the tin and beryllium lodes are believed to be genetically associated with these enriched granites

Jan 1, 1968