Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-28
LACK ONE INDUSTRY.
Why the Worlds Manufacturing Gen.
ter Makes No Cast-IrOn Pipe.
VARIATIONS IN ITS THICKNESS
Render the Cast-IrOn Product Unreliable
and Dangerous.
A GOOD OPENING FOR A FOUNDRY HERE

'Isn't it strange there is no cast-iron pipe
made in Pittsburg, although it Is the great
headcenter of the iron industry" asked
prominent manufacturer of a DISPATCH
reporter Yesterday. "The demand for that
class of pipe" he continued, for water and
for purposes other than natural gas is very
much in excess of the present capacity of
the country, and vet there is not a foundry
in Pittsburg, nor has there been one since
the failure Of Marshall some years ago"
The peculiarly of these remarks brought
about an investigation which developed the
fact that, although caSt-iron pipe can be pro-
duced at a much lower cost, it is not always
the safest or most reliable. 1t will be re-
membered that struggle ensued last fall
between cast and wrought iron pipe manu-
facturers Tor the material which the Colum-
bus Natural Gas Company proposed using.
Atthat time number of cast-iron manu-
LECTURERS claimed thev were able to furnish
pine, thoroughly uniform in thickness and
quality, which would withstandthe pressure
required Tor lines laid from fields register
ing heavy volumes of natural gas.
CAUGHT IT AFTER A FIGHT.
After considerable struggle for supremacy,
q
main lines from gas districts to Columbus,
was awarded to the American Tube and
Iron Company, of this city, and a large
portion of the lines to be used within the
CITY limits was purchased from cas.iron
makers. At that time the dangers likely to
arise from the use of the latter material was
predicted by manufacturers and others,
owing to its lack of uniformity, which
might entail great loss OF life and large
g., Ill E,,, IL
the recent explosion in Columbus in which
several lives were lost, no doubt proves.
The fatality occurred on one of the castiron
portions OF the line, and claims for damages
have already been entered against the gas
company.
Several pieces Of the bursted pipes, taken
from the Columbus line, were shown the re-
porter. They were from a six-inch pipe and
varied all the way from one-tourth to three
fourths of an inch in thickness. This posi-
bly, explains why Pittsburg capitalists have
never invested money in the industry. It is
claimed that it is almost, if not entirely, i'm
possible to make cast-iron pipe of Uniform
thickness. This is due to some portions of
the iron being more fluid than others and
does not flow evenly wnen the casting is be-
ing made. The pipe used in Columbus was
supposed to be three-quarters of an inch in
thickness, but, owing to these variations,
due to the cause mentioned, and which was
perhaps unavoidable, the pipe was not at all
satisfactory in character.
OF course all pipe, both cast and wrought
iron, is tested with 200 pounds water press
ure. The gas, however, is more penetrating,
and is Liable to find the utmost strength of
the material sooner than water.
SAFETY ABOVE EVERYTHING.
All natural gas companies appreciate the
urgent necessity of the greatest possible uni
formity of quality in their lines, since the
relative carrying capacity must necessarily
be based on the weakest portions of the
lines, and as life is so much endangered
when pipe proves imperfect. 1t is said that
the irregular sample brought from Colum-
bus was made from Southern iron. although
the same difficulties OF the same character
occur with old makes of cast iron.
There is some cast iron pipe used in the
city, and it has given general satisfaction,
with but few exceptions. Leaks have oc-
CURED through the Irregularities in the pipe
mentioned. Superintendent Brown, of the
Water Department, said that the city could
save many thousands of dollars if cast iron
pipe could be put into universal use. Last
wear the city spentS51, 900 on large line two
miles in length and S4S, 900 for eight miles
OF pipe extension. The cost of the cast iron
material is, on an average, about 10 to 20
per cent less than wrought iron. On an
annual expenditure of from $4,000
to S80,000 for water pipes alone,
the city could save some money.
An excellent opportunity is also offered for
capitalists to invest in paying industry if
material can be produced that will give
satisfaction. The demands from a score or
more towns Immediately surrounding Pitts
burg, all of which have water works and
natural gas, together with outside trade,
would no doubt keep an establishment pretty
busy