Page:Report of the Oregon Conservation Commission to the Governor (1908 - 1914).djvu/347

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REPORT OF CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
111

for fertilizing purposes only it will go into the United States free of duty. The Niagara Falls plant represents an investment of $500,000, and it is planned to enlarge the plant to produce 40,000 tons of cyanamid per annum. In the nflr figure the capacity of the plant will be 80,000 tons of cyanamid per annum.”

PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM

(From Consul 0. I. Murphy, t. Os”, Switzerknd, Aug. SI, 1l1.)

“For several years Fraace ws th, only country producing aluminum, large mines of oxide of aluminum or bauxite, now turning out over 200,000 tons annually, having been opened in the Departments of Var, Bouches-du-Rhone, and Herault. The number of French aluminum factories has increased in the region of the Alps, espeeiaily in the Department of Savoje, where there are six establishments. With the two other French factories, it is estimated that the total output is conidenbIy above 25,000 tons annually.

“The reduction p]ant established in 1889 at Neuhausen fl Switerland has had a most successful exist.nce. Starting with an annua’ productioti of 40 tons of aluminum, it turned ouL no less thaji 2,C2t tons in the first nine months of 1910, valued at more than $840000. The company, some few years ago, established branches at Rheinfelden, in Germany, and Lend-Gastein, in Austria) and latn opened another at Chippis, Canton Valaig, Switzerland, all of which are operating uccesfully. The company a capitalized at $5,404,000 which it is proposed t Increase to $S,021,600. Its stock has never yet paid less than 12 per cent; in 1908 it paid 26 per cent on a par value of 1,000 francs (1193)

‘The Swiss control of the aluminum market, which had existed for aeveral years, passed away with the opening of the American factories at Niagara, for neither Sw’tz.rland nor France possesses such rich mines of oxide of aluminum and suck ourccs of eleetrieni atag1J as the United State. Negotiations were a year ago with the view of limiting the production of alumintjm and keeping up the prices, but owing to the attitude of the Ameñcan producers, the movement has not beet auccenfol up to this t(me,

"Aluminum has become indispensable in the construction of automobiles, dirigible balloons) and aeroplanes. It is employed also in paper decoratioDs and for wrapping purposes. It has bepn found of enormous advantage also in the textile industry, Combined wfth silk, it makes a brilliant fabrc, which can be given any desired color and which cannot be excelled for making ceremonial costumes atid theatrical wardrobe.. In addition to the ordinary uses, it is also employe4 in the manufacture of reticules, scarfs, and various articles of use and ornament, and because of the high price of copper it has been largely used a a substitute for that metal in the manufacture of electrical cables.”

PAPER PULP INDUSTRY.

‘1n New York State 28.0 h. p. per employ€. s osed in the manufacture of paper pulp, and 13,S3 h. p per employe in the making of paper’ For the reason that the power consumption per empioyee is so great, the pulp Mustry tetds to seek power sites remote from centrs of population and it is felt that the future expans,on of t}iis industry will be to points where power will be cheaper than it is Jikely to be in New York, (ETig. Record Sept 14, 1912).