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ALABAMA Anniston.-Carrington, F. G. Auburn.-Brown, R. L. Bessemer.-Abbott, C. E. Dobbs, G. G. Ferguson, V. Salmon, H. S. Schaber, C. F. Birmingham.-Aldrich, T. H. Aldrich, T. H., Jr. Allen, A. W, Ball, E. M. Bonnyman, J. Bowron, J. Bush, M. W. Crawford G. G. Crockard, F. H. Ellis, E. E. Fairbairn, C. T. Gallacher, J. Geisiner, H. S.

Jan 1, 1917

By J. M. Callow

THe results obtained by pneumatic flotation throughout the country on all classes of ore, and the tonnage now being treated by this particular method, speak for themselves. Its advantages over the so-called agitation process are now established by facts and data from practicc. The comparative efficiency of a rapidly revolving paddle, as a means for aerating an ore pulp, and of a cyeloidal or turbine blower for the same purpose, would seem to be so obvious as to leave no room for discussion. Practitioners in this art are to be congratulated on the acquisition of the valuable literary contributions that have recently been made on the theory of flotation by Messrs. Ralston, Van Arsdale, Taggart and Beach, and others, and the very valuable and able articles by Messrs. Laist and Wiggin on "Flotation Concentration at Anaconda, Mont.," by Dr. Rudolf Gahl on the "History of Flotation at Inspiration," and by David Cole on "The Advent of Flotation in the Morenci District." It is not within the province of this article to attempt an answer to the various issues raised in regard to the theory, or to defend the one advanced by me a year ago. But since discussion usually benefits the profession, a reply will be made to some of the statements made by the last-named writers. CoMPABATIVE SENSITIVENESS AND ATTENDANCE Concerning the article, "Flotation Concentration at Anaconda, Mont.," by Laist and Wiggin, a little explanation is in order. It should be stated that, with the exception of about 24 days at the end of the testing period, the Callow experimental plant at Anaconda was not run under my direction. This perhaps accounts for some of the concIusions drawn on page 499 of the descriptive paper. The conclusion that the use of acid seems to be of considerable advantage, calls for some comment. While the tests conducted by the Anaconda Copper Co. do show acid to be of considerable benefit, this is a consequence of using acid sludge as a flotation agent. My belief has always been that the Anaconda

Jan 1, 1917

THOSE MARKED THUS * ARE MEMBERS, MARKED THUS ?ARE ASSOCIATES. THESE SIGNS DOUBLED INDICATE LIFE MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES RESPECTIVELY. THE FIGURES AT THE END OF THE ADDRESS INDICATE THE YEAR OF ELECTION. HEAVY-FACED TYPE SIGNIFIES HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. *AARONS, J. BOYD, Vivian Gold Mining Co., Ltd., Harris, West. Australia. '05 *ABADIE, EMILE R., Cons. and Min. Engr., 214 Union Savings Bank Bldg., Oakland, Cal. '76 ?ABBÉ, MAX F., Prest., Abbé Engineering Co, 220 Broadway, New York, N.Y. '07 *ABBOTT, CHARLES W., Min. Engr. Pioche, Nev. ?08 *ABBOTT, JAMES W., Min. Engr: Ploche, Lincoln Co., Nev. '94

Jan 1, 1917

PROF RICHARD ÅKERMAN Stockholm, Sweden DR. FRANK DAWSON ADAMS Montreal, Canada PROF RICHARD BECK Friberg, Germany ANDREW CARNEGIR New York, N.Y. DR. JAMES DOUGLAS New York, N.Y. PROF HATON DE LA GOUPILLIERE Paris, France SIR ROBERT A. HADFEILD London, England PROF HANS HOFFER Leoben, Austria JAMES FURMAN HOEFER Leoben, England PROF HENRI LOUIS LE CHATELIER Paris France

Jan 1, 1917

By Robert J. Anderson

DURing the past 5 years no subject has aroused more interest or received more attention among mill operators than flotation. One reason for this is, undoubtedly, the remarkable success of the process in Australia where that country has risen to the position of furnishing one-fifth of the world's supply of zinc. The plant of the Butte & Superior Copper Co., designed by James M. Hyde in 1912, was the first important large flotation plant in this country; other installations have been made since then with considerable frequency, particularly so in the last 2 years. Without going into complete detail, it may be safely said that although flotation is a highly successful commercial process, it is more or less on an empirical basis. Upon scanning the literature, it is found that the flotation investigations have, in the main, dealt with a solution of the problems which accrue to practise; until recently no attempt was made to remove the difficulties in the way of the formulation of a consistent and harmonious theory. Of late this phase of the work has been receiving considerable attention, particularly by the United States Bureau of Mines at its Salt Lake City station, by the Mellon Institute at Pittsburgh, by the General Engineering Co. at Salt Lake City, by many of the mining schools, and private individuals almost ad infinitum. There is, at present, an enormous amount of laboratory work being carried on in flotation research, and probably the time is not far away when a generally acceptable explanation of flotation phenomena can be set forth. However, at this time, it seems as though the current technology is befogged with a superabundance of contradictory evidence; this confusion can only be dispelled as time proceeds and the knowledge of the subject becomes more complete. Many phenomena are supposed to contribute to the flotation of minerals, whether in whole or in part is a mooted question. I shall only sketch roughly the present tendency of ideas and make no reference to the first early and crude notions which have little value other than histori-

Jan 1, 1917

PROF RICHARD ÅKERMAN Stockholm, Sweden DR. FRANK DAWSON ADAMS Montreal, Canada PROF RICHARD BECK Friberg, Germany ANDREW CARNEGIR New York, N.Y. DR. JAMES DOUGLAS New York, N.Y. PROF HATON DE LA GOUPILLIERE Paris, France SIR ROBERT A. HADFEILD London, England PROF HANS HOFFER Leoben, Austria JAMES FURMAN HOEFER Leoben, England PROF HENRI LOUIS LE CHATELIER Paris France

Jan 1, 1917

By Joseph T. Singewald

The possible value of the red hematite iron ore of the southern Appalachian States, if some practicable method of concentrating it could be devised, has long been recognized. The ore is very low grade, and although in enormous quantities, particularly in the States of Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, is only at a few points rich enough to work, and even the best of it ranks among the lowest grade iron ores being mined in the United States. A cheap method of beneficiating this ore would make enormous quantities available and vastly increase the iron-ore resources of the country. However, this low-grade ore in effect constitutes a potential iron reserve, and as long as ample quantities of ore can be obtained elsewhere the question of its utilization does not demand immediate notice. Where these ores are in part of workable grade, however, a problem of more immediate importance arises which, from considerations of economy and prevention of waste in their mining, ought to be solved or, at least, attacked as quickly as possible. Where these ores are being worked they are usually intimately associated with lower-grade material that in mining is left behind. The difficulty and expense of going into ground broken by old workings makes the recovery of this lower-grade ore practically impossible and it is lost forever. Success in concentrating the red ores, therefore, would save material that is now being irretrievably lost. The successful large-scale concentration of law-grade ore in the last few years on the Lake Superior iron ranges should encourage the attack of similar problems in the Birmingham district.

Jan 1, 1917

By Frank C. Schrader

Page Introduction.............................. 196 Geology of the District......................... 196 Ore Deposits of the District....................... 198 Gcncral Description........................ 198 The Cerbat Mountains Group................... 199 General Description...................... 199 Tennessee Mine....................... 203 Midnight Mine........................ 203 Mineral Park........................ 204- Golconda Mine........................ 204 Other Ore-bearing Districts.................. 205 Lost Basin District ...................... 205 The Black Mountains Group.................... 206 Tom Reed-Gold Road District...................... 208 General Dcscription........................ 208 Development........................... 209 Topograplly............................ 210 Geology.............................. 210 Ore Deposits........................... 213 General Dwcription...................... 213 Zones.......................:....215 Structure of Ore Shoots.................... 217 Gold Road Mine ......................... 218 General Description...................... 218 Geology........................... 218 Ore Deposits......................... 219 Tom Reed Minc......................... 222 General Description..................... 222 • Ore Deposits.......................... 222 Development......................... 223 Character of Ore....................... 224 Other Mines........................... 224 Fields Similar to the Ton1 Reed-Gold Road District......... 227

Jan 1, 1917

By George F. Comstock

It seems a common opinion among metallographists that all light-gray inclusions seen with the microscope in polished sections of steel are manganese sulphide. Examples of this belief are continually appearing, as for instance in the paper by Dr. Henry Fay on manganese sulphide as a source of danger in steel railsll and in Lieutenant-Commander Cook's paper on Metallography of Steel for U. S. Naval Ordnance.² Slate- colored inclusions are considered to be silicates, and dove-gray inclusions, manganese sulphide. To show the danger in the latter unqualified assumption, it should be sufficient to examine the edge of any piece of steel that is covered with a fairly thick scale, and that has been polished in such a way as to prevent the scale from breaking away entirely below the polished surface. This can be done by protecting the scaled edge of

Jan 1, 1917

By Maxwell Adams

Considerable interest has recently been developed in sage-brush oil because of its possible utilization as a flotation agent in the mining industry. A list of some of its physical properties, together with the method used in its extraction, may prove of interest at this time. Something over a year ago, a study of the essential oils in desert plants was begun in the Chemical Laboratory of the University of Nevada. None of the oils so far studied possess properties of special interest to engineers, except the oil of sage, Artemisia tridentata, which has exceptional power as a flotation agent. This plant, known as common sage brush, also called black sage, is widely distributed over the semi-arid West, being found quite generally on most of the dry plains and mountains west of Missouri. The method of extracting the oil followed in these experiments is very simple. The leaves, twigs and small branches are placed in an airtight drum, having a capacity of about 27 cu. ft. Steam is admitted through a number of ,small openings at the bottom of the retort, and the pressure maintained at 20 to 25 lb. per sq. in. for 3 hr. The escape of the steam from the retort is regulated by allowing it to pass through a stop-cock into a condenser. The water in the receiver is drawn off from time to time and the oil, which is insoluble and floats upon the water, is thus collected. At the end of 2 hr. most of the oil has been driven out, though traces continue to come over for a much longer time. By raising the pressure, the time required could probably be shortened and the yield increased, but the lack of laboratory equipment has prevented the carrying out of this experiment. The stock wood, bark and branches contain no oil, the distribution of the oil being limited to the leaves and young shoots. There is a seasonal variation in the amount of oil contained. Samples collected on different dates gave the following amount of oil: May 1, 0.42 per cent.; May 27, 0.6 per cent.; June 30, 0.72 per cent.; Aug. 1, 0.9 per cent.; Sept. 10, 1.0 per cent. The increase appears fairly constant from early spring, when the leaves first appear, until light frosts occur in the autumn. When the plant is air-dried there is some loss of oil, as the following data will show: Two 100-lb. samples were collected at the same time. One was distilled when green; the other was air dried for

Jan 1, 1917

By J. F. Wolff

During the past 4 or 5 years, much has been added to the detailed geologic knowledge of the Mesabi Range. This has not been in the direction of discovery of any new fundamental facts, but of detailed study, subdivision and correlation of different parts of the whole formation and of individual orebodies. Prior to this time, mining engineers in the district were so engaged with the commercial interests of exploring and developing orebodies that close geologic study and subdivision were done in a few instances only. The demand for refinement of work in .this direction has led 'the engineers of the Oliver Iron Mining Co. to do extensive structural subdivision and correlation in all exploration work during the past 4 years. Such work has become a commercial necessity rather than a scientific refinement, and at the present time is being extended to all parts of the Range. In the summer of 1914, the author of this paper wrote a series of articles on the orebodies and special features of the Mesabi Rangc, which was published in the Engineering and Mining Journal, issues of July 17 to Aug. 7,1915. Since that time studies of subdivision of the iron-formation have been extended considerably. The principal feature of this paper is the presentation of the subdivisions of the iron-formation. To this is added a discussion of the relations of the orebodies to the gentle folding and fracturing of the formation, and special features of the Range. The outline will be as follows : I. General geology. 11. Subdivision of Biwabik iron-formation. 111. Relation of orebodies to folding and fracturing of the iron-formation. IV. Special features. Acknowledgnlent is due to W. J. Olcott, President, and John Uno Sebenius, General Mining Engineer, of the Oliver Iron Mining Co., for permission to use the information presented in this paper.

Jan 1, 1917

ALABAMA. Anniston.-Noble, A. E., 20th St. and Wilmer Ave. Auburn.-Brown, R. L., Box 0. Belle Ellen.-Hutcheson, W. C. Bessemer.-Abbott, C. E., T. C., I. & R.R. Co Dobbs, G. G., Box 97. Ferguson, V., U. S. C. I. Pipe & Fdy. Co. Williams, E. P., Tenn. C., 1. & R. R. Co. Birmingham.-Aldrich, T. H. Aldrich, T. H., Jr., 406 Woodward Bldg. Allen, A. W., 1616 S. 14th Ave. Bowron, J., 1401 S, 20th St. Burbidge, T. A., Brown-Marx Bldg. Coxe, E. H. Tenn. C., I. & R. R. Co. Crawford, C. G., Tenn. C., I. & R. R. Co. Crockard, F. H., Brown-Marx Bldg. Ellis, E. E.,1515 Brown-Marx Bldg. Fairbairn C. T., Woodward Bldg. Fies, M. H., 2316 Highland Ave. Geismer, H. S., Keiser-Geismer Engrg. Co.

Jan 1, 1917

THOSE MARKED THUS * ARE MEMBERS, MARKED THUS ?ARE ASSOCIATES. THESE SIGNS DOUBLED INDICATE LIFE MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES RESPECTIVELY. THE FIGURES AT THE END OF THE ADDRESS INDICATE THE YEAR OF ELECTION. HEAVY-FACED TYPE SIGNIFIES HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. *AARONS, J. BOYD, Vivian Gold Mining Co., Ltd., Harris, West. Australia. '05 *ABADIE, EMILE R., Cons. and Min. Engr., 214 Union Savings Bank Bldg., Oakland, Cal. '76 ?ABBÉ, MAX F., Prest., Abbé Engineering Co, 220 Broadway, New York, N.Y. '07 ? ABBÉ, PAULO., Secy.,Abbé Engineering Co., 220 Broadway, New York, N.Y. '07 *ABBOTT, CHARLES W., Min. Engr. Pioche, Nev. ?08 *ABBOTT, CLARENCE Chief EDgr., Iron Mines, Dic Tennessee Caol, Iron & R. R. Co., Bessemer, Ala. '04 *ABBOTT, JAMES W., Min. Engr: Ploche, Lincoln Co., Nev. '94

Jan 1, 1917

At the meeting of the Board of Directors, and of the Council of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, February 21, 1911, Dr. R. W. Raymond asked for the appointment of a joint commit¬tee to receive and consider a communication (which was duly sent by him under date of March 16) tendering his resignation as Member and Secretary of each body. On March 31, the Board of Directors and the Council accepted the resignation of Dr. Raymond, and on the recommendation of the Council, the Board authorized and directed his appointment as Secretary Emeritus, upon whom the Council may call for special editorial and other services in connection with the publications of the Institute.

Jan 1, 1917

By Richard Moldenke

One of the little-known characteristics of cast iron, which nevertheless has an important bearing on results where accuracy in machining is essential, is the ability of this material to ease up internal strains when allowed to remain quiescent for a more or less extended period of time. It seems as if the molecules in such a casting, by virtueof their "mobility," can adjust their relative positions to an extent sufficient to overcome some of the existing stresses. The following instance will perhaps give a fair idea of the condition a casting may be in when just shaken out of the sand. A very large sheave-wheel, after shaking out, was taken outdoors to be cleaned and made ready for turning up. It was leaned against the side of the building, but before much could be done an arm tore apart with a loud report. Investigation showed that the sun had been shining on the upper rim, thus adding a slight strain to those already existing within the arm and thus overbalancing the strength of the metal in tension. Had this sheave been kept under cover for a while, or at least until machined, the strains would have eased off sufficiently to allow the sun to look upon it without disaster. It will not be necessary to multiply examples. Every engineer knows the danger of water-hammer in pipe lines, particularly if the latter are of cast iron. Every mechanic knows, or should know, that it is not good to strike a fitting that is under steam pressure. It will be necessary to say a few words on the "internal strains" in castings—the so-called "casting strains" we hear so much about. We all know that to get a casting reasonably true to the dimensions wanted requires a slightly larger pattern. The usual allowance for gray iron is 1/8 in. to the foot (1 cm. per meter) and 1/4 in. to the foot (2 cm. per meter) for white iron (all dimensions). This reduction in length, breadth and thickness in a casting is erroneously called "shrinkage." It should be called "contraction," as for practical purposes it is simply the difference in dimensions of the casting red-hot and cold. The real "shrinkage" covers an entirely different situation. When a

Jan 1, 1917

By W. M. Weidel

While electric lamps both of the cap and hand type are being introduced into many mines requiring the use of safety lamps, the oil-burning safety lamp is still used in the great majority of cases, and even where the former are used the latter must continue to be employed when testing for gas. It is not the intention to discuss here the relative merits of the two types, but simply to give a comparison of the illuminating effect or candlepower of several kinds of ordinary safety lamps used for general work and for testing. Few data have been published in recent years on this subject and because of this it is hoped that the following information may be of some interest and value. The lamps tested were in all cases of standard size and in good condition, all practically new, and were selected from a collection of about 100 with a view to obtaining results on as many different common types as possible. With the exception of the gasoline-burning lamps, five different oils were used in each lamp to determine whether particular oils were suited to particular lamps and whether there was any great difference in the illuminating power of the different oils, or whether some oils would maintain their illuminating power better than others throughout a working period of 8 hr. No attempt was made to determine the amount or cost of oil burned by each lamp, but the condition of the lamp, wick, glass, and gauzes was noted after each test. Description of Apparatus Used The candlepowcr was determined with a Weber photometer, Fig. 1, which consists of a tube A containing a movable milk-glass screen adjustable by the milled screw B. The distance of this screen from the standard light at C is read on the scale attached to A. The standard light consists of a benzine lamp so arranged that the height of the flame may be adjusted exactly by observing it against a scale in the lamp box through an opening in the front. The lamp to be tested is placed at D so as to illuminate a milk-glass screen in the holdcr at E. At the intersection of the axes of tube A and sight-tube F are placed two 45' prisms with their surfaces in contact so that the light from D may pass through with-

Jan 1, 1917

HeRbeRT Haas,—(communication to the Secretary*).—Fig. I plainly shows that the comparison of the steam-turbine and Diesel-engine plants was made on a basis of 6,000 kw. continuous operating load. The tabulation of costs for an 8,000-kw. load is merely done to show the relation of increased output on the unit power costs. Both plants would sacrifice their reserve capacity, which is to insure continuous operation, if operated to generate 8,000 kw. continuously; unless Mr. Hawkins advocates the operation of one of the turbines at 33.33 per cent. overload, retaining the other as a standby, which, besides overtaxing the turbine, results in a great loss of efficiency. It would be well for Mr. Hawkins to qualify certain of his statements. Thus, under the caption "Diesel Engines, Selection of Units," he says that '(two of the largest Diesel-engine builders take the position that, in the present state of the art, they would not attempt to put out units over 1,000 kw.;" he should qualify it by saying that "two of the largest American Diesel-engine builders take the position that, in the present state of the art in the United States, they would not attempt to put out units over 1,000 kw." The reason that American manufacturers restrict themselves at present to units of that size is to be found not so much in a lack of experience in building large units as in a lack of a sufficient demand for them in the United States to justify the heavy capital outlay connected with the development of such engines. There are relatively few localities in the United States where fuel prices are as high as they are in the South-, west, and regions of high fuel prices are sparsely settled and have a very limited demand for power. Where low fuel prices obtain, steam turbines are active competitors of Diesel engines for large power plants, particularly when the station load factor is low. As most of the American manufacturers of Diesel engines work under license agreements with European manufacturers, which limit their market to the United States and its possessions and Canada, a further limitation is imposed upon them, leaving to European firms practically the entire world as a market. The greater number of power plants range in size from 300 to 1,000 hp.; the average size of the central station, on a basis of all central stations in the United States, not greatly exceeding 500 kw.; in these sizes it is hard for steam engines to compete with Diesel engines, unless fuol oil prices are excessively high, and coal prices very low, or the exhaust steam is used for heating purposes.

Jan 1, 1917

Jan 1, 1917

The sum of $250 was appropriated to the Chicago Section. The President was authorized to appoint five members of the Board of Directors, including himself as Chairman, to discuss with other technical societies the proper organization for handling all matters of joint interest to the profession of engineering as distinct from purely technical activities, and to submit its findings in the form of recommendations to the Board of-Directors. Charles F. Rand was appointed a Trustee of the United Engineering Society to succeed himself. John H. Janeway was elected a member of the Library Board, vice Karl Eilers, resigned. Alexander C. Humphreys was elected a member of the Library Board to succeed himself.

Jan 1, 1917

THOSE NOT MARKED ARE MEMBERS; MARKED THUS t ARE ASSOCIATES. HEAVY-FACED TYPE SIGNIFIES HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. JUNIOR MEMBERS ARE MARKED II. THE FIGURES AT THE END OF THE ADDRESS INDICATE THE YEAR OF ELECTION. AARONS, J. BOYD, Genl. Mgr., Chaffers G. M. Co., Boulder City, West. Australia. '05 ABADIE, EMILE R., Min. Engr Box 291, Porterville, Tulare Co., Cal. '76 ABBOTT, CLARENCE E., Genl. Supt., Iron Mines Div., 1405 Minnesota Ave., Bessemer, Ala. '04 ABBOTT, J. W., Min. Engr., "St. Omer," 123 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, Cal. '94 ABBOTT, Louis BENJAMIN, Chief Engr., Consolidation Coal Co., Elkhorn Div., Jenkins, Ky. '15 ABBOTT, ROBERT R., Met. Engr., Peerless Motor Car Co., Cleveland, Ohio. '12 ABE, ASAKA Yamagano G. M., Satsuma-Gori, Satsuma, Japan. '14 || ABRAHAMS, A. I., Student 1391 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y. '14 tACKER, E. O'C., Met Bethlehem Steel Co., Bethlehem, Pa. '86 ACKER, LOUIS K., JR., Min. Engr 565 Highland Place, Bellevue, Pa. '08

Jan 1, 1917