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By Edgar Rickard

E UGAR RICKARD comes of a long line of mining men and was born at Pontgibaud, France, in 1874, where his father was then in the course of his professional work. Later his father came to California and was until his death prominently connected with milling in that state and Nevada. Edgar Rickard grew up at Berkeley, attended the University of California, graduated in 1895 from the mechanical engineering course, and remained a year longer for post-graduate work in the College of Mining. His first job was as assarer for the Mountain Copper Co., Keswick, Cal., in 1896. The following year he was assayer and surveyor for the Cornucopia Mines, Oregon. In 1898, he joined the staff of the Venture Corporation, London, and for two years made examinations for them in various parts of the world. He served as mine manager at Cripple Creek and at the Briseis tin mine, in Tasmania. From 1901 to 1905, he was general manager of the Progress Mining Co. in Lower California, but when his cousin, T. A. Rickard, bought the Mining and Scientific Press he was persuaded to come to San Francisco as business manager of that periodical. A few years later the two cousins went to London and started the Mining Magewine there as a joint venture, Edgar being the business manager. In 1915, he took over control, T. A. Rickard returning to California to devote his time to the Mining u.rbd Scientific Press. In 1917 Edgar Rickard sold out to his British associates and came home to serve in the Food Administration through the war. Rickard was one of the first of the American engineers called to his staff when Herbert Hoover began his relief work by helping stranded Americans home at the be- ginning of the war and he has been with him constantly since in the Commission for Relief in Belgium, the

Jan 1, 1929

By O. M. TUPPER

REQUIRING a finer ground clay than that obtainable with a dry pan or hammer mill, the Clay Corporation of California installed a five-roller, low- side Raymond impact mill at its Lincoln plant in 1925 and since then has been economically grinding fire clay with a moisture content as high as 15 per cent. This was one of the first, if not the first, of this type of mill to be used in the grinding of clay on the Pacific coast. The pulverizer consists of a die-ring, lying in a horizontal plane, enclosed in a sheet-iron housing. A vertical shaft supports a spider from which five rolls are suspended in such a way as to always have them bearing on the die-ring. The vertical mill shaft is driven by means of beveled gear and pinion from a horizontal shaft which is connected by belt with a 60-hp. motor with suitable pulleys to give a speed of 175 r.p.m. A large fan which has a speed of 1100 r.p.m. and is belt connected to a 40-hp. motor is connected to the mill housing. The discharge end of the fan is in turn connected to a cyclone dust collector.

Jan 1, 1929

By AIME AIME

AMONG the members of the Institute there are thirty-three who have been members for a half- century or-more Some time ago a professor of psychology made a careful study of a group of unusually brilliant children to determine whether there was any truth in the general belief that a brilliant mind is usually to be found in a physically sub-normal body. He definitely proved the exact opposite and it is now known that children who are above the average in mental capacity are also above the average in physical health and strength.

Jan 1, 1929

By AIME AIME

THE non-ferrous alloys have been placed in the same class with steel by metallurgical research on hardening, and hardenable alloys of all metals except zinc are now manufactured. The hardening of the non-ferrous alloys is accomplished by a process of heating, quenching and ageing. R. S. Dean, head of the research department of the Western Electric Co., told of the results of this research in 'a lecture on "Recent Advances in the Art and Science of Fabricating Metals," given before the Missouri Mining and Metallurgical Association on Jan. 24, 1929.

Jan 1, 1929

By G. F. LOUCHLIN

A FEATURE of the International Geological Congress to be held at Pretoria, South Africa, in the summer of 1929,. will be a symposium on the gold resources of the world. In this connection the U. S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Mines have been asked to prepare a report, showing production in the United States, describing the geology of its principal gold- producing districts, and estimating reserves (a) assuming a continuation of presen6economic conditions, and (b) assuming lower costs. This report will not be completed before April 1, but data thus far assembled are here presented with the hope of profiting by discussion and by information from those well informed on any of the important gold-producing districts. Gold production in the United States rose to a maximum exceeding $100,000,000 in 1915 and then rapidly declined to about $52,000,000 in 1920. Since then it has fluctuated, but on the whole slightly declined. Reviews of the eight leading states afford the following tentative conclusions :

Jan 1, 1929

By J. L. Gregg, J. L.

RECENTLY there has been considerable interest in the production and use of extra hard alloys composed primarily of tungsten and carbon. Dr. Hoyt's recent paper1 gives a good description of these alloys and describes their performance when used as tools. There are a number of these alloys on the market sold under various trade names, and it is the purpose of this paper to describe the results of an investigation of the structure of five of these alloys by means of microscopic and X-ray methods. The samples studied were in the form of small tools or wire-drawing dies, which were either purchased or supplied as samples. They were in some cases not supplied by the original makers but were furnished by the agents in this country, and we wish to call attention to the fact that they may not be truly representative of the materials supplied under the various trade names. No performance data are given and no inference as to the inferiority of one alloy as against any other is made. K. Schröter2 recently described methods for polishing alloys of this type for microscopic examination and has presented photomicrographs of several alloys. However, he did not identify their constituents or describe methods for their identification.

Jan 1, 1929

By AIME AIME

THE best meeting ever held, was the opinion expressed by a number of those who attended the annual meeting of the Institute in New York, Feb. 18 to 21, and there was an atmosphere of friendliness and good fellowship about it that fully justified the feeling. In numbers it was not quite so large as last year and unless the Engineering Societies should build for themselves a new building it is probable that no meeting can be larger, in respect to numbers, than that held in 1928, which was only made possible by the circumstance that the eighth floor of the building happened to be, temporarily vacant at the time. The number of rooms available for -sessions that were provided when the building was built long ago proved inadequate, and it is only by the expedient of obtaining the temporary use of the board and committee rooms of other societies that it is possible to arrange for the over 40 sessions that must be spread over the four days of the meeting. The-fifth floor, where. a buffet lunch is served each-day, has reached its full capacity and it seems quite evident that any future development of Institute meetings must be along the lines of quality, not size.

Jan 1, 1929

By L. C. WYMAN

THIS paper discusses what mining reports should contain when presented to the California State Corporation Department, to accompany applications for the sale of stock to the general public, but the principles involved apply to mine financing everywhere. Such reports should 'be as clear and concise as possible, endeavoring to tell the truth in as few words as necessary. Should the engineer be aware that his report is to be used in connection with the sale of stock to the general public, he should consider the public as his client as well as the person who actually employs him. It is always required that the engineer be favorably known and of recognized standing. The following points should be given careful attention : 1. A legal description and location of the property. 2. Transportation conditions, and how they may be expected to affect the operating costs. 3. A brief history of the property, its production record as to tonnage, grade, and character of the ore should be given. Should the property have suspended operations for any reason, this should be given. Any details of former operating costs should be given, especially as to how any improvement could be made, due to better methods which might be employed.' 4. The main geological features and whether they are such as to lead the engineer to believe that the mine may possibly 'be exhausted or the ore of such grade as to be no longer profitable. If he considers them favorable, he should give his reasons for the belief that further development work may produce profitable results. A map showing these features should be submitted, and it is not necessary that such map be highly colored or contain any more than the essential matters. 5. Other mines in the district, or those with similar

Jan 1, 1929

By NORMA D. MACFADDEN

WHILE the library work of the Woman's Auxiliary to the A. I. M. E. was founded three years after the formation of the Auxiliary, its present policy of establishing permanent libraries in mining camps throughout the United States dates only from 1924. Since then sixteen libraries have been established and thousands of books have found their way to homes of far-away miners, bringing pleasure and knowledge to a multitude of Americans and future citizens. Library work was initiated under the presidency of Mrs. H. W. Hardinge in 1922 and firmly established with her aid as one of the main activities of the Auxiliary. The first chairman served but a short time and Mrs. A. O. Ihlseng then took over the work of chairman of the Library Committee. To place the surplus books of Auxiliary members and their friends in use in mining camps was the immediate work of the committee. This was accomplished by placing a traveling library in the Bureau of Mines' cars and also by sending books for distribution to section chair- men in our larger mining camps.

Jan 1, 1929

By AMY F. JENNINGS

TO give a concise history of the Woman's Auxiliary of the A. I. M. E. is a difficult task and much interesting information must needs be omitted. The organization has grown and evolved so much from its early simple beginning that it seems best to adopt the technique of some of our modern novelists and begin with the latest development. As the headquarters of the A. I. M. E. is in New York, it follows that the Woman's Auxiliary to the A. I. M. E. necessarily has also its central office and government there. The affairs of the organization are administered by a duly-elected president and five vice- presidents, a treasurer, recording secretary, and corresponding secretary and a board of directors, the personnel of which includes each chairman of a section or an elected or nominated representative who is able to attend the monthly meetings of the board and correspond with the section for which she acts, and the chairmen of the five standing national committees, i. e. Educational Fund, Library, Emergency, Membership and Hospitality. The chairmen of these committees are all responsible to the president and board of directors and their activities must be indorsed with their approval.

Jan 1, 1929

By AIME AIME

THE annual meeting of the Auxiliary to the A. I. M. E. was marked by the most delightful cordiality and warm spirit of welcome on the part of the members of the New York Section and an equally charming spirit of cooperation and appreciation on the part of the visitors. On Monday Mrs. Ernest H. Wolfes and Mrs. Charles A. Bohn had charge of registration and most efficiently .provided everyone with the necessary tickets and badges. The reception hall and regisfration booth were gay with beautiful flowers that reflected the welcoming spirit one found there. The smooth efficiency with which the whole program ran was due largely to the tireless efforts of Mrs. Donald M. Liddell and Mrs. Louis D. Huntoon, joint chairmen of the Ladies' Committee, and Miss Margaret Callow, chairman of the Junior Committee. After registering, the ladies proceeded to- the fifth floor, where they had luncheon with the members of the A. I. M. E. On that day Mrs. W. H. Bassett and Mrs. Lucius W. Mayer were the hostesses.

Jan 1, 1929

By O. A. Carson

Introduction Although the equilibrium conditions of the copper-tin alloys have been the subject of a ?great amount of research, the equilibrium diagram is still in doubt. The first systematic investigation of the series was made in 1894 by Le Chatelier, who published a freezing-point curve. In 1895, Roberts-Austen and Stansfield published the complete liquidus and partial solidus curves, which they modified somewhat in 1897. Their liquidus as given in 1897 is essentially that accepted today (Figure 3). Haycock and Neville also published a liquid us curve in 1897. In 1898, William Campbell published a series of micrographs showing the changes in microstructure which accompanied the thermal changes of Stansfield? s diagram. The classic work on the bronze series was published by Heycock and Neville in 1903. Their diagram was based on both thermal and microscopic evidence, and is the first for this series of alloys which can be considered nearly complete. Further, it was the first bronze diagram in which any attempt was made to apply the phase rule in the interpretation of the thermal and microscopic results. That portion of Heycock and Neville's diagram covered by the present work is reproduced in Figure 7.

Jan 1, 1929

By AIME AIME

ONE test is worth a thousand expert opinions, say the engineers of the John A. Roebling's Sons Co. of Trenton, N. J. Confronted with the job of building the cables for the new Hudson River Bridge between Fort Lee and upper Manhattan, the Roebling organization, in spite of its long and varied experience in building cables for suspension bridges of various sizes, recognized that old yardsticks would be of little value in estimating safety factors for the immense span across the Hudson.

Jan 1, 1929

By C. W. Davis

THE name fuller's earth, which was derived from its early use in "fulling" or removing grease from woolen goods, is a term that is generally considered to designate mineral matter, containing hydrous aluminum silicates of the clay group, which has a high capacity for removing colors from oils, whether of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin. Fuller's earths are usually dried and may be "tempered" by heating or may be treated with water or reagents to improve their efficiency. For our purpose the term "acid-treated earths" will include those products from the partial decomposition of mineral water by acid which are equal to or more efficient than an untreated fuller's earth from Quincy, Fla., when used in bleaching mineral oil by the "contact" process. In general, the contact process for treating oils consists of heating and agitating a mixture of oil and finely divided adsorbent, the latter being subsequently removed by filtration. The term "adsorbent" is used because, although there has been a great deal of controversy over the mechanism of removal of impurities from oils by mineral matter, there is no doubt that adsorption, which involves the surface of the solid, plays a major part.1 The properties that make fuller's earth useful in the treatment of petroleum products by "percolation" and in the purification of edible oils by the contact process have long been studied, but the comparatively recent adaptation of the contact process to the bleaching of petroleum products has made desirable the further investigation of fuller's earth and other adsorbent earths.

Jan 1, 1929

By C. K. Leith

IN telling the story of Canada's minerals many interesting and spectacular details will be passed over to permit pointing out some of the significant inter- national aspects. No country now has enough of all minerals for its own use. The problems of satisfaction of both national and world demands under these conditions have become international in scope, and history supplies no obvious solutions. The minerals of Canada are coming to play a prominent part in such problems. Production and Reserves In the last decade Canada has rapidly advanced in mineral production. In 1928 the total value of mineral products from Canadian sources reached 273 millions of dollars. Canada ranks first in production of nickel, first in asbestos, second in cobalt, third in gold and silver, fourth in lead and copper, and sixth in zinc.

Jan 1, 1929

By John Howe Hall

One's first thought, upon being chosen to deliver the Henry Mario Howe lecture, is of pride at being selected for this post of honor, but ther succeeds immediately a deep sense of the Obligation thereby incurre to give of one's very best in order to make a contribution worthy of hir in whose memory these lectures are given. One who had the goo fortune to be associated with Henry ill. Howe, upon sitting down t prepare such a paper as this, irnrnediately falls to musing upon thc day when his face and his footfall were familiar from constant association, an recalls with singular vividness his active figure, his mobile, alert face, an his keenness in penetrating to thc corc of the subject under discussior Like Dr. Mathews, I was a young man when I first worked under hi direction, now nearly a quarter of a century ago, and in those early day he oft,en seemed a hard taskmaster—a man whose standards it woul never be possible for me to meet. I well recall his insisting upon m proving for the third time the truth of a conclusion which I had brc unwilling to submit to him until it had been confirmed by two carefull planned experiments. To my impatient protest that thc third .demor stration he asked for was but a repetition of the second, with differer samples, he replied, "Yes, that is true, but the inherent improbability ( your conclusions is so evident that I can not accept them until you prov your case again." "Shall I ever do a thing well enough to suit him? I thought. Looking back today upon many similar incidents, 1 suspect that h never expected me to attain the excellence he preached, and held up t me and to himself as a model, but knew out of the fullness of his experienc. that in no other way could he so impress upon me the necessity in researc of the patient, never-failing attention to detail and to accuracy tha distinguished his own work. How painstaking he was in the preparation of his many books an professional papers, as well as in his experimcntal work, was ncvcr s

Jan 1, 1929

By C. W. Davis

THE name fuller's earth, which was derived from its early use in "fulling" or removing grease from woolen goods, is a term that is generally considered to designate mineral matter, containing hydrous aluminum silicates of the clay group, which has a high capacity for removing colors from oils, whether of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin. Fuller's earths are usually dried and may be "tempered" by heating or may be treated with water or reagents to improve their efficiency. For our purpose the term "acid-treated earths" will include those products from the partial decomposition of mineral water -by acid which are equal to or more efficient than an untreated fuller's earth from Quincy, Fla., when used in bleaching mineral oil by the "contact" process. In general, the contact process for treating oils consists of heating and agitating a mixture of oil and finely divided adsorbent, the latter being subsequently removed by filtration. The term "adsorbent" is used because, although there has been a great deal of controversy over the mechanism of removal of impurities from oils by mineral matter, there is no doubt that adsorption, which involves the surface of the solid, plays a major part.1 The properties that make fuller's earth useful in the treatment of petroleum products by "percolation" and in the purification of edible oils by the contact process have long been studied, but the comparatively recent adaptation of the contact process to the bleaching of petroleum products has made desirable the further investigation of fuller's earth and other, adsorbent earths.

Jan 1, 1929

By C. W. Davis, L. R. Messer

THE name fuller's earth, which was derived from its early use in "fulling" or removing grease from woolen goods, is a term that is generally considered to designate mineral matter, containing hydrous aluminum silicates of the clay group, which has a high capacity for removing colors from oils, whether of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin. Fuller's earths are usually dried and may be "tempered" by heating or may be treated with water or reagents to improve their efficiency. For our purpose the term "acid-treated earths" will include those products from the partial decomposition of mineral water by acid which are equal to or more efficient than an untreated fuller's earth from Quincy, Fla., when used in bleaching mineral oil by the "contact" process. In general, the contact process for treating oils consists of heating and agitating a mixture of oil and finely divided adsorbent, the latter being subsequently removed by filtration. The term "adsorbent" is used because, although there has been a great deal of controversy over the mechanism of removal of impurities from oils by mineral matter, there is no doubt that adsorption, which involves the surface of the solid, plays a major part.' The properties that make fuller's earth useful in the treatment of petroleum products by "percolation1' and in the purification of edible oils by the contact process have long been studied, but the comparatively recent adaptation of the contact process to the bleaching of petroleum products has made desirable the further investigation of fuller's earth and other adsorbent earths.

Jan 1, 1929

By T. B. Williams

Most geologists have felt the need of a longer base than is ordinarily available when using a Brunton compass or other convenient instrument for taking strikes and dips in the field. To overcome this difficulty a lath or stick with straight parallel sides is frequently used. This accessory adds to the accuracy of the work, but it is a decidedly inconvenient one for the geologist to carry, especially if he be heavily loaded or is travelling on horse-back or through thick brush on foot. The writer has abandoned its use in favour of a sturdy two-foot carpenter's rule. The rule preferred is manufactured by J. Rabone and Sons, Birmingham, England. It is provided with a good level-bubble set in one of the limbs, and a scale, of the protractor type, graduated to five degrees through 180 degrees, attached to the main joint at the middle of the rule. (See Figure 1). For an instrument of its kind it is very accurate, and, in addition to the uses mentioned below, it 'is a handy thing to have around any camp. It is frequently used when plotting roughly in the field and for a protractor when one is not available. When not in use it may readily be carried in the top of the high-boot or legging. Ordinary strikes are measured as illustrated in Figure 1, the compass being held against the rule, which is in a horizontal position. Dips may be measured in a corresponding way by holding the Brunton compass against the extended rule, which is thus used merely as a straight edge. It is usually much more convenient, however, to ? use the rule only for this purpose, in which case one foot of the length rests as a straight-edge against the rock surface. This adaption is shown in Figure 2.

Jan 1, 1929

By L. C. IlsLey

So many subjects are covered in State mine-safety regulations that any attempt to compare different State laws in their entirety would be futile. On the other hand, if one selects a single phase or branch of safety work, such a comparison may prove profitable. The subject selected for study in this paper is limited to legislation or regulations dealing specifically with safeguarding (electric) motored equipment used in gassy mines. T When one reads glowing accounts of the safety activities being carried on here and there it is easy to believe that everything which is right and proper is being done to safeguard the mine.workers; but, when one takes time to look into the weakness of many State regulations, it is evident that there is still room for improvement. Undoubtedly it would have been much better for the safety of mines if electrical equipment had been introduced into mines 50 years earlier. If electricity had been in general use when the first mine regulations were pre- pared, those formulating the rules would have covered this hazard along with other hazards, but as electricity came in at a later period, safe mine legisla- tion regarding it has been woefully neglected. Today the United States in general is far behind most other coal-producing nations in the provision of adequate safety rules or laws for the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment and wiring. Returning to the subject of our study, approximately 30 of the 48 States mine coal. More than 20 of these States' produce coal in large quantities. How- ever, of the 30 States only four, 3 Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia, have laws which specially call for the use of explosion-proof types

Jan 1, 1929