The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-04-15

As L OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES dpOttIl0S Ill dUu around
Staunton, not only for metaliurgica uses, but
for al other purposes. Burned lime has been
transported by Staunton to Quinnimont and to
other points west.
At three furnace sites examined by members
of your committee, in the vicinity of Staunton.
limestone quarries were not only Immediately
upon the ground, but the foundation excava-
ton for the proposed furnace structure would
unavoidably be somewhat on limestone Your
committee would therefore estimate the cost of
limestone, delivered in the furnace stock-house
at not exceeding so cents per ton. 1t might
lie less.
3. Fucz.-One hundred and sixty to seventy
miles west of Staunton by rail. we have the
lower measure on New river coking COAL
which supply one Of the best furnace cokes yet
discovered, Analysing from 81 ITO to % $40
pure carbon with but $40 Of per cent. of sui
phur. At the Quinnimont Furnace from II to
l CLIO tons Of coke, according to quality and
season, is Used with d tons Of ore, unroasted
and unwashed. to produce l ton OF pig iron.-
With calcined or prepared ores, as at the Long
dale furnace, the proportion would be still
less.
The celebrated Connelfsville coke is also
within direct railroad access OF Staunton. It
has in fact been transported through and be-
yond Staunton to the Elizabeth Furnace.
It is perhaps better to state in this conncc-
er Coal Companies has offered to contract for
the regular supply of the proposed Staunton
furnace at SIS per ton, Of 2240 lbs. That price
has accordingly been assumed by your Com
mittce in their estimates of cost.
4. Laher and Incidentazs.- items of
cost are found to vary with the distance of the
furnace site from centers Of labor and supply;
and also the size of the furnace. In the small
er furnaces, the cost per ton of labor and con-
q
i'll very large furnaces, it may become serious
from. the expensive character of their outfit and
occasional accidents.
Upon the experience OF many furnace enter
prises. into which they have inquired, your
Committee would recommend about $4,000
tons productive capacity per annuln, for a prof
table furnace at Misunderstanding a stack of
about l6X60, with first class power and equip
mcnt.
The superior local advantages OF Staunton
in health, churches, schools, workshops and
improvements, would secure in the opinion OF
your Committee, a very desirable class OF me-
chanical and ordinary labor at low rates.
Also the facilities for work in Staunton would
reduce. by a material percentage, the expense OF
construction and repairs, as contrasted With
the experience Of furnace enterprises remote
from cities. A marked example of this fact
Wilf'b found in the city Of Baltimore, and it
has probably been observed there by Stanton
visitors. Around that city Clnd some within
the city limlts) are several charcoal furnaces,
WHICH, with their fuel and ore. costing more
than at most country furnaces. have neverthe-
less been able 10 continue in blast during the
late exceptional depression in the iron market
particular reference being had to the success
full Stickney furnace on the Canton wharf.
The explanation is Obviously, cheaper labor,
better working conveniences and superior ac-
cess to market. All these advantages Staui-
ton has; and hence in the opinion Of your com
mttee, the superiority OF this location to a site
at the ore beds. Still frther;' in pressing this
roint, reference is again MAIDS to the Powaat-
tan furnace, near Richmond, which is operated
successfully with anthracite fuel from Penisyl-
vana limestone from Rockbrilgh and Rotet-
ourt and ores from Fishers. lille and other into
rlor localities.
First class fuel, ores and limestone, it may be
repeated, are nearer to Staunton than to Rich
mond, and may be delivered at less cost.
10 build and equip a $4,000 ton furnace OF
the dimensions already indicated, is estimated
by experts, with whom your committee have
recently conferred, to cost at present
prices, from $4,000 to s125,00o, according to
character of machinery and extent Of fire risk
accepted in the construction OF elevators, roof
ing and outzbuildings. This estimate does not
include cost of ground, which your committee
are informed will be donated at one suitable
site, and perhaps others. To the first cost of
the furnace, there should be added reasonable
provision for working capital-at least $25 900,
and more, should the Furnace company decide
to hold ore properties.
The employment Of mechanics, workmen and
employees generally required for a furnace Of
this size, will be found to be from SO to 40 eff
fective men On the pay roll. TO this number
should be added for occasional absence and
sickness, or press of work, ten per cent more.
Allowing for their families, boarding houses,
&C., the addition to the resident population of
Staunton would be at least It's to 200. At
Quinhimont, against about the same number of
names on the furnace pay roll. there are ten
ants and residents materially exceeding the
number ahoya given. .
But it is not by any direct increase Of pop
ulation that the value ofron furnaces, should be
measured as productive enterprise. A good
iron FURNACE Is generally the pioneer Of other
and more Valuable improyements-of rolling
mills, nail works, wire and steel works OF ma
chine shops, and OF foundries of large and fine
work; and for foundry work, the iron and ores
from the Blue Ridge west, have been found es-
pecaly suited. The demands alone OF the two
railroads crossing at Staunton, would bs con-
sdercd in many western railroad towns with
inferior local advantages to Staunton) amply
sufficient to warrant enterprises OF the charac-
ter suggested. Stanton should consider the
past and nresent Of Cumberland, Maryland,
like Staunton at the intersection OF two rail-
roads, not long since forwarding stage sta
ton on the unfinished Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, and now city of Industrial note,
with web recognized elements OF steady growth
and permanent prosperity.
In closing this report, your committee Wohla
refer to the call for their opinion on the cost
per ton of making pig iron in Staunton Es-
Inmates Of this character are always more or less
approximate. Experts rather prefer nforna-
tian unon the cost of material which control
the production of iron in any locality, andthen
ia make their own estimate OF final cost. But
it NAV be pertinent to state here, that from
several experts consulted by your committee IN
this connection. TO estimate OF final cost mas
exceeded II 25-lo0 dollars per ton. OF 214o lbs:
assuming good management with prices OF
stock: and Several reliable estimates were less.
Your committee, therefore, venture 70 eS-
press their own opinion. that with the~locahaa-
yantages presented by Staunton, iron can DC
made and sold at profit upon the lowest
onotati,ns Of the iron market during .lts eN-
IRENE depression. end the late depression it
may be repeated, is very exceptional IN IRON
/. N. ST. JOHN,
JOHN ECHOLS,
w. 4. BURKE.
HUGH w. SiIEFFET,
HOLMES IRWIN.
[Ccoa5inued on third page.l
Z.
Two MOONS IN ONE MoNTH.-August VILE