Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-23
BESSEMER OR BASIC.
Why Steel is Made by the Former
Process and Not by the Latter.
PHOSPHORIC ORE NOT USED HERE.
Flint and Green Bottle Workers Said to
Desire Amalgamation.
MKEEsPoRr STRIKERS WILL PICNIC

The Manufacturer Record, of Balti-
more, journal devoted to booming the
New South, in recent article charges that
the Bessemer Steel Association-which
owns the rights in the Thomas-Griffiths
basic steel process-by requiring exorbitant
license tolls OF manufacturers who desire to
engage in the manufacture of steel under
the process, practically established a
monopoly of the business to those using the
Bessemer or other processes. It argues
along the line that because the basic process
is extensively used on the Continent, and to
certain degree in England, where, the
article claims, it is advancing in favor, that
therefore it should be in more general use in
this country, and that in consequence, as it
alleges, of the high tolls demanded by the
Bessemer Steel Association, American man
ufacturers are debarred from availing them
selves of its advantages, and that, necessa-
rily, the monopolistic tendency of the owners
of these patent rights is causing the country
considerable loss
NOT DONE so HERE.
Whether there is any difference in the condi-
tions under which steel is manufactured here
and abroad, or whether the ores used in Eu-
rope are largely phosphoric and exactly
adapted to convention by the basic process,
while-at any rate as far as the present steel
manufacturing districts are concerned-the
ores used in steel making are of such grades as
make their convention by the open hearth or
Bessemer, or kindred processes, more economi-
cal or more commercially valuable than if the
basic process was used; the fact is that in this
district and the North generally-which in
cludes the area within which steel is manufac-
tured to any extent-the basic process is not in
vogue for two reasons namely on account of
its expense, and because the ores used in steel
making are more economically treated by other
processes. That is to say that no ore high in
tion. SO that the dephosphorizing or basic
process is not required. In Germany and Eu-
rope generally the ore used in steel making is
very high in phosphorus, and would, therefore,
be best treated by the basic process.
A Pittsburg steel manufacturer had this to
say yesterday on the subject: "Steel making by
the basic process-and by which l mean the
Thomas-Griffitns process-is not in vogue in
this country. because the grades of ore used in
the manufacture do not require 1t. The basic
process Is adapted to ores with high percent
age of phosphorus, and as these ores are not
used by steel manufacturers, the need for
using the bisic process does not exist. There
Is no phosphoric ore being imported to this
district. 1t has been tried and found wanting
in the necessary requirements.
DIFFERENT IN THE SOUTH,
THE basic process might be suitably adopted
in the South, where the ore is so highly phos-
phoric and in course of time it will probably
be tried. Though in the matter of trials it
must be remembered that both by the Penn
sylvania Steel Company at Steelton, and
the Pottstown Iron Company, the
basic process was abandoned. after lengthy
trial. One reason for the costliness of the basic
furnace is the frequent refining with expensive
materials necessary. Regarding the Bessemer
Steel Association, would say that any manu-
facturer desirous of erecting basic furnace
would have no trouble in making terms with
the owners of the patent rights"
The nearest approach to the basic process in
use in the district is at the Carnegie Home
stead works. Just how the furnaces are con-
structed and operated is a secret, but they are
very different from what is called the basic
furnace" The process at this mill is known
the basic open-hearth. The firm is erecting 16
new furnaces on this principle. in the new mill,
and changing the old furnaces on the same
plan.
As far as could be ascertained yesterday there
is not a single "basic furnace in the country.
The Oliver Iron and Steel Company and the
Spang Steel and Iron Company have, respect--
lively, two two-ton and two three-ton convert
ers on the Clapp-Grifiths principle. Other
manufacturers use the Bessemer open-hearth,
which is now unprotected by any patents.