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By James Douglas

At this last meeting of our Institute for the year 1899, it is appropriate that we should look back at the past. To review the century's progress in the exact sciences and the resulting arts that fall within the scope of our labors is beyond my ability. But I wish to draw your attention to some phases of that progress, almost as important, which lie within the zone of sociology, touching at so many points the domain of applied technology. One of these is suggested by the library of technical literature which this century has produced —not the least important contribution to which is our own Transactions. The nineteenth century has witnessed the beneficial spread of democracy in politics. Under the impulse, to no small degree, of the same spirit, there has grown up a brotherhood of fellow-workers and a sense of fellow-ownership in the secrets of nature. Though the Patent Office has assumed such proportions as to hare become a source of national revenue, and a multitude of inventors, great and small, are seeking through its agency to secure some pecuniary profit from their devices, there is even greater eagerness among both interested and disinterested workers in the field of technology to publish their observations, and even their discoveries, and to give them to the world without remuneration. The motives influencing the great body of writers who, without any pay, use the technical journals and such media of communication as our Transactions, in order to give to the brethren of their craft the results of

Jan 1, 1900

By WALTER M. DAKE

WITH the renewal of the contract between bituminous miners and operators, whereby a period of three years is assured without the devastating effect of irregularity of operation due to general strikes; and, with the increasing comprehension on the part of the large consumers as to the stabilizing effect of adequate storage upon prices; the coal industry has reached that period of its history in which permanence of purpose towards necessary changes is being crystallized, and these changes accomplished by the industry. It is to be hoped that during this era the phrase- " Our National Coal Problem "-will be relegated to the limbo of' antiquated expressions. That this epoch is upon us is evinced by the fact that operators are turning to consolidations, whereby financially sound companies will acquire smaller production units and place themselves in position to maintain constant supervision and control of their development and output; and, as further proof of the arrival of these changes, may be cited the entrance of additional members of the engineering profession into the many phases of management and operation, where- by the cost per ton of output will be, constantly reduced through the increasing use of modern methods and equipment. As an instance, attention is specifically called to the developments in mechanical loading, proposed and actual continuous underground transportation systems and betterment in methods of preparation.

Jan 1, 1924

C. D. Demond, Anaconda, Mont. (communication to the Secretary*) :—In order to throw some light on this interesting subject, a series of experiments were made with strips of mild steel, containing about 0.14 per cent. of C and 0.22 per cent. of Ma. These strips were thoroughly cleaned and brightened before use, salts were added to distilled water until it corresponded as nearly as possible to the analysis given by Mr. Lee, and in this water at different temperatures were placed four strips of steel; while four other strips, at corresponding temperatures, were placed in the water used at the Washoe Reduction Works. The latter plant has had no trouble from corrosion of furnace-jackets, pipe-lines or boilers. The analysis of the water used at the Washoe works is: Grains er U. S. Gallon. CaCO3........... 2.92 CaSO3........... 0.76 MgCI3........... 0.64 MgCO3........... 0.58 A1203........... 0.12 Fe2O3........... 0.12 SiO2........... 0.58 NaCl........... 0.35 Organic matter, etc.,........ 1.16 7.23 This water is neutral to litmus; while the artificial Copper Queen water was very slightly alkaline, which Mr. Lee informs us is also true of the water at Douglas. Both waters mere well aerated by pouring from beaker to beaker, and by blowing in air from the experimenter's lungs. The results of these tests, given in Table I., show that there is no significant difference between the effects of the two waters.

Jan 1, 1909

By Charles A. Ashburner

' I. Natural-Gas Explorations. The rapid development of the natural-gas* industry in Western Pennsylvania, and the great economy which results from its use, both for manufacturing and domestic purposes, has led to an inquiry as to the occurrence of this gaseous mineral in all thickly populated and large manufacturing centers of the United States. Natural-gas springs are to be found in almost every State in the Union, and in many States gas has been obtained in wells sunk either for water, oil, or gas, or in search of solid mineral deposits. The occurrence of natural gas is, however, not dependent upon mere chance, as is popularly supposed, but upon the existence of special geological phenomena; this fact is now recognized by professional men and by many practical men concerned either in the exploration for or in the use of this gas. The desire among our leading manufacturers, to emulate Pittsburgh, has led to the sinking of many wells in many localities, in search of natural gas. Some of these wells are now being located and drilled under the direction of professional experts, but many more have been, and are still being located by "quack " explorers, who often depend upon spiritualistic communications, or the diviningrod, or by intelligent persons, who are ignorant, however, of the geological and physical conditions under which gas has already been found. My attention has recently been directed to a number of these exploring operations where holes have been drilled, and, after failing

Jan 1, 1887

By T. Egleston

The treatment of the residues from the manufacture of sulphuric acid which contain small amounts of copper, silver and gold, has attracted considerable attention in Europe. They are successfully treated in several works on the continent, and in as many as twenty establishments in different parts of England. As the process must sooner or later attract attention in this country, I have put together my notes made in three of the most important establishments in Europe. These are the works at Hemixem near Antwerp, of Duisbourg in Westphalia, and of Oker in the Hartz. In the last works only, the ores are produced in the vicinity of the place where they are treated. The works at Duisbourg treat ores which come from the Rio Tinto mines in Spain, which often contain considerable quantities of arsenic. They are roasted in a number of different works along the Rhine for the manufacture of sulphuric acid. They are brought by boat and are landed at the works by steam-cranes. They are carried at once by a double-inclined plane worked by steam to the storagehouses to be kept, until treated. The wagons, after being weighed, are dumped. The ore is assayed at once, the assay-sample being taken from the boat while the ores are being discharged. They are all fine, and contain two to eight per cent. of copper and about sixty per cent. of iron, and a small amount of silver and gold. Their average composition is given below:

Jan 1, 1886

By N. S. Keith

No one of the live subjects of the day, to which the attention of the mining engineer and metallurgist should be turned, is of greater practical interest to him than electricity in its applications to various mechanical, chemical, and metallurgical operations. The object of this paper is to call the attention of my fellow-members and associates of the Institute to various new, as well as comparatively old, developments in the science and art of electricity which seem to promise results of advantage. Too many of the comparatively old applications have been neglected by the mining engineer, which; if he had given them a place among his appliances, would have assisted him greatly. The telegraph may be noticed as one. Its. use is, however, confined to a person having skill in the. manipulations of the key, the reading of the alphabet, and familiarity with the sounder. One of the simpler forms-the call-bell-has a range of application far greater as to distance and convenience than the old wire-pull, or the hoarse voice of the windlass-man or the bucket-dumper. A few Leclanehé cells, two or more electric bells, and a mile or more of wire judiciously placed will put the superintendent, at his office, in communication with the foremen of his mills and mines, so that by the aid of a code of signals, great advantages may be gained without necessitating a knowledge of the Morse alphabet, or of the mechanical voice of the sounder. The telephone furnishes a means of communication be-

Jan 1, 1882

By Josef Westesson

No question in the metallurgical chemistry of the present day seems to be so difficult to agree upon as the determination of phosphorus in iron and steel. To my knowledge, there are at present at least three different methods in use in the iron laboratories of the United States, viz.: The citric acid method, the molybdate-magnesia method, and the direct molybdate method,—the last-named method having been lately adopted. Each of these methods has its advocates, who take every pains to prove its advantages, and the incorrectness of the others; and much has been written for the purpose of securing the use of a standard method—as yet, however, without any result. There is no doubt, or ought to be none, that each of these methods gives correct results, when it is carefully conducted and every precaution is taken. But it is not only correct results that we want nowa-days. The demand is great, also, for getting results in the shortest possible time. I think it has been sufficiently proved that the direct molybdate method, the weighing of the precipitate, answers well in both respects. Being a pupil of Prof. Eggertz, I have myself used his method for years until quite recently, as it is described by Mr. Troilius in our Transactions, vol. x., p. 166 (but with some slight modifications), and I can safely say that the results of this method agree well with those of the molybdate-magnesia method. I have, moreover, been checked, in a few instances, by some of the

Jan 1, 1885

By E. Gybbon Spilsbury

It is not my purpose in this paper to describe all the different contrivances which have been devised, during the last quarter of a century, for the purpose of Iessening the expense of mining and tunnelling operations; I wish merely to call your attention to the crying want of the Western miners for some cheap and effective machine, capable of economizing on the heavy item of hand-drilling, and to enumerate a few of the latest improvements which have been made in machines of this class. This necessity for the introduction of some kind of labor-saving machinery in mining, especially in the West, begins to make itself felt more imperatively every day. No branch of industry has remained so conservative to the old customs and systems of working, as has mining; and yet no branch is so entirely dependent on economical working for a successful issue; and in very few is the proportion of cost of hand-labor to profits obtained so preponderantly heavy. Perhaps the chief reason for this seeming apathy towards progress in this direction arises from the fact that nearly all mining operations, especially in this country, are carried on in regions more or less remote from the great centres of civilization, thereby rendering the carriage and erection of machinery extremely difficult and expensive. Another reason, however, exists in the fact that a large number of men in charge of mining operations are greatly prejudiced against the introduction of machinery underground, from the idea that it cannot be made to adapt itself to the various positions and

By A. Eilers

ALTHOUGH the process to which I refer in this paper has been in successful operation for nearly five years, during which time it has been introduced, superseding all other processes having in view the same end, in almost every lead refinery in the country, no description of it, giving economical data, has ever appeared in print, nor has the process been known in its details to any considerable number of engineers beside those conducting it at their works. A discussion of this subject at the present time becomes especially interesting in view of a late publication in the Prussian ministerial organ for Mining and Metallurgy, by Dr. Wedding, in which the method of treating the zinc-silver-lead alloy by distillation, as finally settled upon at Tarnowitz, is very minutely and fully described. It is the more interesting, because in that article reference is made to the American method in an unfavorable light, while, at the same time, it is clear from the article itself, that the most important details of the process, besides the one that it is conducted in black-lead retorts, were not at all understood. In publishing herewith the details of our American method, one of my objects is to invite comparisons between our simple and direct process and the elaborate one at Tarnowitz. In extracting the silver from work-lead by means of zinc, it is always the intention, in this country, to obtain a zinc-crust so rich in silver that the rich lead resulting from subsequent distillation

Jan 1, 1875

By Edwin C. Eckel

The title of this study may fairly lead to misunderstanding unless its basal viewpoint is explained at the start. There is of course no chance of misunderstanding the term strategic minerals-for some years past it has been rather generally used to cover those mineral supplies, important for war use, which do not occur in adequate amount on the territory of the Power under consideration. Even here, however, I might add a note of warning. It is commonly understood that the list of strategic minerals will vary, according to what country we are considering; but it is rarely understood, even in Staff studies, that it varies equally according to the particular adversary we happen to be considering. In the present study I have stated the definition in the broadest possible terms, and have at this stage purposely avoided limiting it to any one country or war situation, with the express purpose of being free to bring out certain implications which are commonly, if not always, overlooked. The more important opportunity for misunderstanding is, of course, that my views on the phenomena war and peace do not coincide with those currently fashionable, particularly in advanced intellectual circles. For we must face the fact that for a decade past the natural reaction from war conditions has shattered the public mentality so completely that our public discussions of such questions have very little relation to fact; they are excursions into ideal rather than Realpolitik. And as such they serve merely to prevent public discussion or accept-

Jan 1, 1932

By G. W. Crane

WHEN ore was discovered on the Tintic Standard property in the spring of 1916, new developments were immediately started both north and south of that property, on the supposition that in East Tintic the ore would be found to occur in northerly trending channels, similar to those so characteristic of the older camp. But 9 years of developments have failed to establish the existence of such a channel. This is due undoubtedly to important differences in the geology of the two camps, that were not recognized, and is indicative of the danger in the general tendency toward interpreting the geology of East Tintic too strictly in terms of that of the older camp. It should not be forgotten that while the two sections have had practically the same geological history, the net results of a long series of geologic processes have developed in them conditions that differ so widely and in so many particulars that the necessity of regarding them as essentially different districts seems apparent. In an effort to emphasize this fact, this paper is devoted chiefly to a comparison of the geological conditions as found in the two camps and is addressed more particularly to those familiar with the geology of the Tintic district. Following a short description of the several ore discoveries and of the Tintic Standard mine is a brief discussion of the evidence of ore channels in East Tintic. For my information regarding the Tintic Standard mine, I am indebted to the courtesy and generous assistance of Messrs. Wade and Snow of the Tintic Standard Mining Co.

Jan 9, 1925

By N. S. Keith

No one of the live subjects of the day, to which the attention of the mining engineer and metallurgist should be turned, is of greater practical interest to him than electricity in its applications to various mechanical, chemical, and metallurgical operations.. The object of this paper is to call the attention of my fellow-members and associates of the Institute to various new, as well as comparatively old, developments in the science and art of electricity which seem to promise results of advantage. Too many of the comparatively old applications have been neglected by the mining engineer, which, if he had given them a place among his appliances, would have assisted him greatly. The telegraph may be noticed as one. Its use is, however, confined to a person having skill in the manipulations of the key, the reading of the alphabet, and familiarity with the sounder. One of the simpler forms—the call-bell—has a range of application far greater as to distance and convenience than the old wire-pull, or the hoarse voice of the windlass-man or the bucket-dumper. A few Leclanche cells, two or more electric bells, and a mile or more of mire judiciously placed will put the superintendent, at his office, in communication with the foremen of his mills and mines, so that by the aid of a code of signals, great advantages may be gained without necessitating a knowledge of the Morse alphabet, or of the mechanical voice of the sounder. The telephone furnishes a means of communication be-

Jan 1, 1882

By A. Eilers

Although the process to which I refer in this paper has been in successful operation for nearly five years, during which time it has been introduced, superseding all other processes having in view the same end, in almost every lead refinery in the country, no description of it, giving economical data, has ever appeared in print, nor has the process been known in its details to any considerable number of engineers beside those conducting it at their works. A discussion of this subject at the present time becomes especially interesting in view of a late publication in the Prussian ministerial organ for Mining and Metallurgy, by Dr. Wedding, in which the method of treating the zinc-silver-lead alloy by distillation, as finally settled upon at Tarnowitz, is very minutely and fully described. It is the more interesting, because in that article reference is made to the American method in an unfavorable light, while, at the same time, it is clear from the article itself, that the most important details of the process, besides the one that it is conducted in black-lead retorts, mere not at all understood. In publishing herewith the details of our American method, one of my objects is to invite comparisons between our simple and direct process and the elaborate one at Tarnowitz. In extracting the silver from work-lead by means of zinc, it is always the intention, in this country, to obtain a zinc-crust so rich in silver that the rich lead resulting from subsequent distillation

By John F. Blandy

IT is not my intention in this article to consider this subject in the light of the geographer or geologist, but rather in that of the mining engineer, and to endeavor to show the necessity and value to him of studying the minor details of the field or district in which he may be engaged. I t has been said by a distinguished geologist that "the natural boundaries of the geographer are rarely described by right lines. Whenever they occur, however, the geologist may look for something remarkable." And again : " Physiognomy is no idle or doubtful science in connection with geology. The physiognomy of a country indicates almost invariably its geological character." Our country furnishes examples enough of the truth of these remarks, and in no part of it is it so beautifully illustrated as in our own State, which has been so ably described by Prof. Lesley in his admirable little work on the "Topography of Coal." As the great mountain lines become guides to the geologist in determining and mapping out the geography of the formations, so do the minor details of topography become guides to the mining engineer in conducting his explorations, discovering of dislocations, and determining the character of the deposits which are the object of his search. I t is therefore requisite that he should, whilst making his surveys, pay the strictest attention to every variation of the landscape and surface of the ground. Until he has mapped out every feature he may be unable to read the geological changes which may have

Executive SIDNEY J. JENNINGS, Chairman GEORGE D.-BARRON J. E. JOHNSON, JR. EDWIN LUDLOW ROBERT M. RAYMOND Membership KARL EILERS, Chairman LEWIS W. FRANCIS J. E. JOHNSON, JR. LOUIS D. HUNTOON ARTHUR L. WALKER Finance GEORGE D. BARRON, Chairman. CHARLES F. RAND BENJAMIN B. THAYER Library E. GYBBON SPILSBURY,1 Chairman ALEX C. HUMPHREYS3 GEORGE C. STONE2 J. H. JANEWAY4 BRADLEY STOUGHTON Papers and Publications BRADLEY STOUGHTON, Chairman

Jan 9, 1918

By Emil Gathmann

Discussion of the paper of EMIL GATHMANN, presented at the San Francisco meeting September, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 104, August, 1915, pp. 1485 to 1492 H. W. LASH, Cleveland, 0.-I have found in practical experience that it is not objectionable to have some blow-holes in ingots. They enlarge during solidification and have a tendency to cause the steel to rise. If they are of fairly small size they weld up quite readily, especially where they are some distance from the surface. In that way a pipe, which is much more detrimental than a few small blow-holes, is prevented. There is a very great difference in the formation of blow-holes in steel. You get one condition in soft steel and entirely another condition in rail carbon, or the still higher grades. The figures that are given in Mr. Gathmann's paper I imagine are taken from the higher carbons, as it is very seldom that piping occurs in soft steel. J. W. RICHARDS, South Bethlehem,, Pa.-This contribution is very welcome, and I understand that the process of Mr. Gathmann is in practical use and has proven successful. I believe the experience of steel makers is that an ingot which has a pipe is of more solid structure, and therefore takes a great deal more work in the rolls and in mechanical treatment, than an ingot which has some blow-holes. The density of the piped steel is undoubtedly increased. My opinion is that it is un-

Jan 12, 1915

By Walter Weeks

THE subject of the flow of air through a mine under the influence of natural ventilation has proved an elusive one. To my knowledge only cut and try algebraic solutions have been used where multiple paths are involved. The object of this paper is to present a method for the graphi-cal determination of the flow induced by the natural ventilation pressure (N.V.P.) alone or in combination with a fan. The N.V.P., measured in pounds per square foot, induced by two columns of air between two horizontal planes at different elevations, is equal to the difference in weight of the two columns, assuming each to have a cross-sectional area of 1 sq. ft. Pressure in pounds per square foot is converted into inches of water by dividing by 5.19. Methods of calculating the N.V.P. have been discussed in the litera-ture. In this paper, for simplification of exposition, the change in pres-sure due to the weight of superimposed air will be assumed directly proportional to the length of the column. The actual methods of cal-culating the N.V.P. do not affect the solutions to be presented. It must be realized that the precision to be obtained from the small-scale, inked diagrams presented is not as great as would be obtained from large-scale, penciled curves that would he used in practice. The accuracy of the curves does not warrant reading "volumes" closer than the nearest thousand cubic feet per minute.

Jan 1, 1938

G. R. DELAMATER,* Steelton, Pa. (written discussion t)..-Under the heading, "Preparation of Coal," Mr. Campbell discusses the ad-visability of sizing the coal for the jigs. While I fully realize that conditions alter cases, my method at all times is to do everything possible to avoid sizing. It would be unwise for anyone to say that greater ash and sulfur reduction is impossible by sizing. The thing that can be questioned is, will the greater reduction be sufficient to counterbalance the greater cost? The same thing is true of the proper size of crushing for each individual proposition. In past years many washeries have been built and equipped for wash-ing two or more sizes, but I know of few instances where these plants were operated more than a year before sizing was abandoned. Perhaps in some of these cases this was clue to lack of sufficient development of such scheme of operation; yet I have found that most men engaged in this work, including myself, started into the work with a pretty well-fixed idea that sizing would be beneficial. But trials and tests showed that the mixed size washing is necessary for coals requiring crushing to 1 in. or less. Coal is of low value, compared with other minerals segregated by washing or concentration, for which reason simplicity must be the watchword: simplicity in the machine used to attain the separations of impurities from the coal, in the accessory plant equipment, and in its arrangement.

Jan 12, 1919

By C. A. Heberlein

C. A. HEBERLEIN, New York, N. Y.-The results stated by Rey and Brevers are so startling that they are of great interest, as the concentration of a low percentage of cinnabar by differential flotation yields a high-grade concentrate in the presence of either arsenical or iron pyrite. The authors say: "Cyanide can thus be used to depress arsenopyrite and make a good cinnabar-arsenopyrite separation. A cinnabar-pyrite separation could probably be effected in the same way." Corrosive sublimate at the present price of mercury would be a very expensive reagent but the expense would be justifiable if a high rate of concentration could be obtained with a high extraction. On my request, special tests were made in the Punitaqui mill in Chile along the line suggested by the authors, without any improvement of either grade or extraction. As the recovery of the cinnabar in a complex sulphide of chalcopyrite and pyrite gave unsatisfactory results, I had tests made at the testing laboratory of the American Cyanamid Co. at Stamford, Conn. As these tests turned out to be highly satisfactory, not only at Stamford but later at the mine, they are presented here. [ ] The pulp had a density of 22 and a pH of 7.8. Total time of conditioning was one minute. The reagent added was Texas fuel oil, 0.116lb. of 33.7 Bé. gravity containing 0.9 per cent sulphur. Frother, 0.062 lb. of No. 5 pine oil. Rate of concentration of mercury was 25.7: 11. [ ]

Jan 1, 1941

By Evan Just

DIRECT subsidies for mine production in this country began as an outgrowth of wartime 'price regulation. The price-fixing authorities realized that the volume of production to be required from domestic copper, lead, and zinc mines would invoke costs of production considerably higher than the established ceiling prices. Accordingly, beginning Feb. 1, 1942 the Premium Price Plan was set up, which undertook to pay premiums to mines for production in excess of quota, of 5¢ per lb of copper and 2Y4¢ per lb of zinc or lead. Quotas, except for small mines, were initially established at the average rate of production in 1941, but were later reduced arbitrarily on an individual basis. Subsequently, additional "B" premiums were set for lead and zinc of 2Y40 per lb and a further "C" zinc premium of 2%¢. Additional copper premiums were negotiated on an individual basis, mainly with small mines. Quotas under each of these successive categories were the production obtained at the next lower premium level. In other words, under ceiling prices of 12¢ for copper, 6,14¢ for lead, and 83¢ for zinc, it was possible for high-cost operations to receive prices plus premiums of 17¢ or more for copper, 12¢ for lead, and 16% 0 for zinc on a portion of their production. On the other hand, some of the larger operators received only slight premiums and in at least one instance none at all. The average price plus premium for copper was 12.25¢ in 1942 and rose to 13.65¢ in 1945. That for lead was 6.99¢ in 1942 and 8.73¢ in 1945, and for zinc it was 9.06¢ in 1942 and 11.200 in 1945.

Jan 1, 1948