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By William B. Plank

THE growing dependence of our vast industrial civilization (:n mineral products demands today, as never before, the highest technical skill in those who produce these product-;. That the duty of training the engineers, whose responsibility it is to produce these mineral products efficiently and in sufficient amount, falls directly on the schools of mining is beginning to be more fully recognized. The Institute, realizing this fact and that its future membership depends largely on the annual accretion of young men, is showing a keen interest in the problems of the mining schools and in the work of its Committee on Engineering Education. The Committee has, during the past several years, considered the problems connected with the training of men for the mineral industry, whether these have been problems of college training, or placement of the young engineer in the industry, or personnel training after he enters the industry. The field of interest and discussion has been as broad and varied as the mineral industry itself. Coal mining, metal mining and metallurgy have been discussed and the papers on these subjects have been outstanding contributions to the literature on mineral education.

Jan 1, 1931

By Donald H. McLaughlin

ZEST in the search for new supplies of metallic ores and petroleum is difficult to maintain with stocks of raw materials accumulating and with over- production rightly or wrongly blamed for most of our industrial troubles. Enthusiasm over new methods of prospecting has consequently diminished and exploration programs in many fields have been drastically cur- tailed. Very naturally the effects have been felt with particular keeness in highly specialized phases of the work, such as geophysical prospecting, for the feverish scramble for new areas in which to drill beneath magnetic or electrical anomalies has abated, and there is even a lull in the firing in the battle over salt domes on the Gulf Coast. It is unquestionably an unhappy time for many of the organizations dependent on this work, but in certain respects the situation may be beneficial in correcting unsound practices that .have grown up through the necessity for haste and for quick decisions. With the restriction of the field to the more competent workers by the harsh rule of survival of the fittest, a general improvement, not only in technique but in business methods, can be expected which may go far in restoring public confidence. Geophysical prospecting in the short period that it has been utilized in North America, has suffered severely both from over-popularity and from excessive abuse. The former evil now

Jan 1, 1931

By KENNETH CROPPER

USUALLY we forget about the things which move along smoothly. There are no causes for worry when there are no troubles. But when troubles arise we must put forth some thought and effort to alleviate them. No one "worries about his automobile until it begins to knock, develop flat tires, or refuses to start. However, when these ailments become apparent we get wide awake on the spot, and do our best to repair the car. So we find ourselves now. The old bus seems to hit all the ditches. There is rough ground on all sides and none of us is able to do anything toward improvement. A state of pessimism stares us in the face, and there is sufficient cause for it. With lead at 3.75 cents, copper about 8 cents, zinc under 4 cents, -and silver about 26 cents, one has a reason for grief. When we think of the 5000 or less men employed in Utah mines and smelters in 1931, as compared with about 12,000 in 1929, the calamity seems even worse. In view of the present economic crisis we cannot even think of new men getting a job.

Jan 1, 1931

By JOHN JANNEY

STABILIZATION of the adjustment of normal consumption to normal production of world commodities is quite different from reducing production until visible surpluses are consumed. The first means restoration and maintenance of prosperity, the second means merely a temporary alleviation of a condition with the prime cause remaining uncorrected. Overproduction of foodstuffs in some sections of the world while millions starve in other sections represents not so much overproduction of foodstuffs as mal-distribution of foodstuffs. The flour mills of Washington and Oregon normally ship quantities of flour to China. Now, the wheat that would make this flour goes East instead of West. Is this overproduction, or is there something wrong that calls for study, analysis and correction? Can the plan used by the ostrich of hiding its head in. the sand get us by this present world tragedy, or must the challenge to solve this problem be met, constructively? Can we not make out of this breakdown in the world's economic system an opportunity? And use it as the stimulus for remedying the basic cause of the trouble and not content ourselves with devising temporary expedients that aim at remedying this or that of the obvious conditions, in themselves not causes at all but rather the evidence of causes, or that are the symptoms of the real trouble.

Jan 1, 1931

By J. A. SINGMASTERN

THE New Jersey Zinc Co.'s vertical retort plants are believed to have been in continuous operation through the whole year. At Palmerton metal purer than that made from the same ore in the old plant has been produced and has been able to compete successfully with very pure electrolytic metal in die castings and other special uses where extreme purity is worth money. A new plant using this process was put in production by the Grasselli Chemical Co. at Meadowbrook, W. Va., early in the summer. It is said to be working very satisfactorily. It is understood that this plant will not produce high-grade metal. Two patents issued to Bunce and Mahler (Nos. 1,749,126 and 1,749,127) describe a method of operating the vertical retort so that practically lead-free metal can be obtained from ores containing consider- able lead. The zinc vapors and other gases leaving the reaction zone are filtered through a column of material maintained at a temperature high enough to prevent much zinc from condensing. The filtering medium is either periodically or continuously changed.

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

THE initial meeting on Mining Methods* opened at 10 o'clock Monday morning with Scott Turner as chairman and W. Spencer Hutchinson as vice- chairman; about 60 attending. After preliminary announcements Theodore Marvin was called on for his paper,, entitled "Rock Tunnel Methods," which has been appearing serially in The Explosives Engineer. Marvin read the introduction and called attention to the account of one or' two particularly' interesting projects, such as the. Brooklyn water supply tunnel. E. D. 'Gardner, Char1e.s S. Hurter, L. D. Lamont and Spencer P. Howell took part in the discussion, Howell commenting on the fact that, in one case cited, misfires had occurred through detonator wires 'coming in contact with the case of an unapproved flashlight, .,: and that all flashlights should be approved.

Jan 1, 1931

By MARSHALL D. DRAPER

THERE are said to be about 150 operating companies in Kotchiu, most of these being small, corresponding in degree to lessees in western mines in the United States. Of the total number there are probably forty large companies having their own smelting plants equipped with one or two furnaces, slag crushing plant and other accessory equipment. A few plants, not more than ten, do custom smelting. There are in all about fifty smelting plants in Kotchiu. With little variation, the equipment and methods are the same. The plant usually consists of two furnaces, one being in operation while the other is being relined 01- re- paired. An adjoining house contains one or more of the large buffalo-drawn Chilean mills for crushing slag. A few houses for the working coolies, with more pretentious ones for the owners, complete the establishment, the whole being surrounded by a compound wall 8 ft. high.

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

THE Coal Division holds its fall meeting in the Pocahontas coal field, at the West Virginian Hotel, Bluefield, W. Va., Oct. 9 and 10. The first day will be a busy one-two sessions for the presentation of papers and a dinner in the evening. Hon. E. Fudge, Assistant Undersecretary, Mines Department, and R. V. Wheeler, head of the Mines Research Board of Great Britain, will be the guests of the Division. Mr. Wheeler will discuss the British Mining Act as relates to the coal industry. George S. Rice, Chief Mining Engineer, U. S. Bureau of Mines, will present an account of the recent meeting at Buxton in England, of representatives of England, Germany, France, Belgium and the United States to formulate a plan and to correlate research work now in progress in the various countries. The second day the members will be the guests of the operators on a trip through the Pocahontas field. The work of preparation for the meeting is being actively pushed by committees headed by T. H. Clagett, R. M. Lambie and H. D. Smith, and a good attendance, both local and from the general membership of the Division, is anticipated. Because many will make the trip by car the principal automobile as well as rail-road connections to Bluefield are given here. The program for Friday, Oct. 9, follows:

Jan 1, 1931

By Clyde E. Williams

MUCH has been said recently concerning the depletion of the Lake Superior iron ore re- serves. Estimates given indicate a total life of the present known reserves of twenty to thirty years. Some argue that there is no need to concern ourselves about the possible depletion of the Lake Superior iron ore supply because foreign ores can be brought in to this country at a lower price than rich agglomerated ore can be produced from the lean domestic ores. Some fear, as a result of this, a displacement of the steel business from present districts to the Atlantic seaboard. Others show that foreign ores will be brought to interior points via the projected Great Lakes-St. Lawrence waterway. Others believe that the South, given better freight rates, will extend its iron and steel market into northern territory.

Jan 1, 1931

By M. E. Lombardi

IN comparison with the mining industry the petroleum industry is new and inexperienced, and until now it might have been called the fortunate industry. Its great good fortune consisted in two things; a bountiful supply hidden by nature in the rocks of the earth, and a steady and large increase, during the past twenty-five years, in the demand for petroleum products. It is a remarkable fact that consumption of gasoline in the United States has shown an increase every year since automobiles first became important, and even in 1930 there was a four per cent increase, in spite of the universal depression; the estimated increase if the times had been normal, was ten per cent. This industry has, therefore, not passed

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

THE Institute of Metals held a well rounded out symposium on the working of metals, distributed over two sessions. At the first session* four papers were presented, two dealing with the, cold working of metals and alloys and two with the hot working of non-ferrous alloys. The first paper by E. V. Crane, dealt with "Metal Working in Power Presses." Mr. Crane pointed out the empirical nature of engineering data available for use in calculating the probable stresses developed and power requirements, for the shearing, drawing, binding and other forming operations. He described the various operations, methods of determining stresses developed and presented data obtained. In the discussion C. F. Hammond took exception to Mr. Crane's objections to the rather too frequent. annealing operations in drawing of cartridge cases, pointing out that the material was-manufactured to meet specified structure and physical requirements, which could only be met by carefully controlled sequences of working and intermediate annealing operations.

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

PRESIDENT BASSETT'S gavel called the Annual Business Meeting to order shortly after 10 a. m. on Tuesday. On motion of Eugene McAuliffe, reading of the minutes was dispensed with and Mr. Bassett read his annual report of the year's activities as follows : During the year I have visited eighteen of the twenty- seven sections, making an average of GG 2/3 per cent. The invitation to come again has always been extended, but in only one case have I been able to visit the same section twice. Chicago entertained the president twice during 1930. Mrs. Bassett accompanied me on visits to ten sections. Everywhere we have found the most cordial hospitality and a gratifying enthusiasm for the Institute. If anyone had fault to find with the management or felt dissatisfied with what was being done, it was carefully concealed. I am happy to report to you an agreeable, helpful and progressive spirit in each of the sections visited.

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

SCANDINAVIAN countries seem somehow to furnish an amount of talent and leadership far be- yond their population and among them Sweden is possibly at the top. The United States has many eminent citizens born in the latter, country or who are of Swedish descent and the engineers may claim their full share. In fact, the number is so large that a flourishing Swedish-American Engineering Society has been formed, including a number of A. I. M. E. members. Dr. Waldemar Lindgren is more scientist than engineer, though his work in economic geology has contributed directly to the development of many mines, and he is the valued- adviser of a number of our larger companies. Probably he, himself, values most highly the contributions he has been able to make to scientific theories of the occurrence and genesis of ore deposits. His fellow scientists have placed upon these the high mark of approval by electing him to the National Academy of Sciences, and Princeton University in 1916 recognized his position by conferring on him the degree of Doctor of Science.

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

TWENTY-TWO sections and all four of the divisions sent delegates to the annual meeting. They became so interested in the wide ranging dis6ussion of old and yet ever-new problems of Institute affairs that three instead of two sessions scheduled were necessary. Monday morning the meeting assembled with President Bassett presiding in the absence of President-elect Tally, who had been called to Baltimore by the serious illness of a brother. Thursday morning Vice-president Turner presided until Mr. Tally appeared after which the latter guided the sessions. Since reports from all of the active sections save one had been mimeographed and sent in advance to the delegates, detailed reports from each were dispensed with. The discussions dealt largely with membership problems, both local and national, with financing, speakers and programs, visits from national officers, and the conduct of the annual meeting. Many interesting and constructive suggestions were made and will be reported back to the sections by the delegates.

Jan 1, 1931

By J. W. Furness

THE utilization and collection of waste materials have gone on for centuries, and have become a habit of the human race. The degree to which the salvaging of waste plays a part in a nation's industry depends largely on the availability of raw materials within the political confines of the country itself, or its ability to purchase such material from outside. When purchase is necessary careful economical use of the raw materials results. These economies, as a rule, are represented by lengthening the life of the given article as well as much re-use. For many years the steel industry of Italy and Japan has depended largely on importations of scrap, yet both are important. As long as the expenses incident to the conditioning and marketing of materials manufactured from salvaged waste are less than the cost of virgin material, the salvaged material will be re-fabricated and in many cases will compete with primary materials. One of the most obvious methods for furthering the efficient utilization of our limited mineral resources is the salvaging of mineral wastes. This method, moreover, in¬creases the available supply of a given material. If the price depends on a balance of supply and demand and the recovery from wastes enlarges. the supply, there can be no question but that it influences the sales price of primary.

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

THE Iron and Steel Division and the Institute of Metals Division are laying plans for a rousing meeting the week beginning Sept. 21 in the land of the bean and the cod-at Boston. The two divisions are collaborating with the American Welding Society, the American Society for Steel Treating, and the Iron and Steel Division of the A. S. M. E., to have technical sessions of widespread interest and social affairs that will compare with the best of previous years. In connection with the meetings an exhibition of production and testing equipment, heat-treating equipment, furnaces, welding equipment, and metal products will be held on Commonwealth Pier all week, where those attending may see the latest developments in the field of their own work.

Jan 1, 1931

By Augustus Locke

MY conclusions apply to the engineer in California ore hunting; and, because the product has been overwhelmingly gold, that means gold-ore hunting. But, I wish to think of ore hunting, not as employment for engineers, but as engineering. I wish, moreover, to think of it as productive of ore in significant quantity. The small mine, even if good, means little. Only new districts, or large extensions of old districts can engage our attention here. The conclusions are summarized as follows: (1) The bright color of California mining history comes from the suddenness and intensity of its outburst of gold. Had the mining been averaged from the start, it would soon have become dimmed among greater industries. For fifty years, California has proceeded as an agricultural, timber and oil, but not a mining region. 1

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

NEW place was assigned to the women for their headquarters at the annual meeting of the Auxiliary but they, as usual, occupied a large place in the activities of the annual meeting. The alcove on the Thirty-ninth Street side of the building was a busy place on Monday morning, as the members of the various sections from New York to California greeted each other. The registration was conducted under the supervision of Mrs. Wolfes, Miss Georgene Davis and Mrs. Jennings, while Mrs. Hursh, Mrs. Hyde, Mrs. Charlton Reynders, and others dispensed tickets to the various functions that had been provided for entertainment. There seemed to be the usual number registered, but when only one member of the District of Columbia Section made herself known everyone wondered why the large delegation of last year had so dwindled. The explanation appeared next day, when a number of others from that Section arrived, telling of a delightful reception on the night before, at the White House. Mrs. Hoover had honored the "Canaries"¬(the organization of Lone Girl Scout' workers) the officers of the Section, and their husbands, who for once became only "so and so's husband." Luncheon was served on the fifth floor on Monday, the hostesses for that day being Mesdames C. F. Ayer, Willis Burns, G. W. Farny, H. G. Moulton, and T. T. Read. A number of sight-seeing trips had been arranged for the afternoon. The most popular proved to be an expedition to the new Riverside Church; where Dr. Fosdick is pastor. Guides were there to conduct

Jan 1, 1931

By PERCY E. BARBOUR

SECONDARY copper1 has &come more or less of a bugbear generally. What is its influence is often the subject of heated argument. The inedapable fact usually quoted is that since in 1929 primary production of copper in the United States was 1,026,348 tons and secondary production was 626,550 tons, there- fore, 0.6 lb. of secondary is produced for every pound of primary, and "How can you get around that?" The matter seems very plain, now that I have reached my conclusions, but they are the result of much laborious study and research. I shall show that' the production of secondary copper is not 0.6 per lb. of primary, in spite of statistical appearances; that the production of secondary is a function of primary production rather than of price; that secondary production has 'only a sub-. ordinate influence on the price of copper and then only in abnormal times; that there is not an accumulating reservoir of secondary from which the country is some- time to be drowned in copper, as is believed by some, or a reservoir from which we are going to draw much needed and more or less inexhaustible stores in the future, as is believed by others; and finally, that the United States always produces more copper than it uses and exports the surplus. These are all controversial points, and for that reason and to anticipate argument I have set forth my reasoning in considerable detail.

Jan 1, 1931

By C. V. Millikan

THE year 1930 in the petroleum industry has been characterized by the establishment of large potential production of crude oil. This has resulted in closer cooperation between companies by proration and unit operation agreements in order to afford an equitable outlet to all, and to prevent a flood of oil being forced on the market with attendant tremendous material and economic waste. Drilling wells in proved areas and wildcat wells are fewer than in the past several years. Restricted production and low prices have caused greater effort to increase producing and recovery efficiencies. Increased refinery efficiencies have amplified the effect of overproduction. Pipe line departments have been especially busy. New oil lines have reached more refineries by new and shorter routes. Establishing greater gas reserves by new fields has justified new gas lines to industrial centers, and has brought this fuel to thousands of new domestic consumers. Two long gasoline lines, a new venture in pipe lines, are being built to obtain a lower cost of transportation and less loss between the refineries and their distribution centers. The chairmen of the various divisions have discussed the developments of their respective branches more fully in the following reviews.

Jan 1, 1931