Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-12
| WINDY CITY WORK
Wherein Aluminium is Alleged to Be
Reduced at a Very Low Cost.
PECULIAR ORDERS FOR THE METAL
By a Steam Dyer Who Buys 1t in Lots Of
Hundreds of Pounds.
HALF.CENT INCREASETo RIVER MINERS

Prof Joseph NJ. Hirsh is Chicago chem
ist who is credited by various capitalistic
supporters with possessing cheap process
for the manufacture of aluminium. The
faith OF Mr. HIrsh's friends has been tangi-
bly, expressed by considerable amount of
currency expended in building factory
and erecting machinery to enable the pro-
lessor to produce his metal. But so far the
quantity of aluminium placed on the mar
ket has not been so excessive as to interfere
with the sleep OF the other makers.
Mr.. Hirsh claims to lie able to produce
the metal at Is cents pound. If he could
do this he would obtain practical control of
the business, and the other makers might as
we'll retire.
An Investigation That Was Made.
To ascertain just what the Chicago man
and his confiding supporters were doing, the
Pittsburg Reduction Company sent repre-
sentative, j. H. Warder, to Chicago. to
make few inquiries into the method. This
gentleman ascertained that Mr.. Hirsh
claimed to obtain pure aluminium by de-
posting it as graphite surface on the
bottom of a wooden trough, IN which were
placed certain ingredients acted upon by an
electric current. The metal was deposited
in the form of sheets, which were singularly
smooth, on both sides, with the corners
squared and the edges straight. Mr.. War
der also learned that the Chicago chemists
metal is displayed in blocks and plates OF
The same shape and size as those sold by the
Pittsburg Reduction Company.
Mr.. Warder was so curious as to have a
sample of the Chicago-made aluminium
analyzed. The result showed, bya coinci-
dence, that Mr.. Hirsh's aluminium had a
composition similar to that made by the
Pittsburg Reduction Company.
Orders Filled for Steam Dye House.
The latter company has been for some time
past in receipt of considerable orders for the
metal from L. Strenitz, who is the proprie-
tor of a small steam dye house in the Windy
City. On the Goth OF October, the steam
dye man bought three lots OF aluminium
wire, sizes 30, 81 and SO. and
six lots of rolled sheets from the
local manufacturers. The bill came to
S101, which was paid in cash. On the same
day Strenrz purchased 10 ingots, weighing
five pounds each. Ten days later he bought
20 more fve-pound ingots, making in all
1S2 pounds of metal. of a value of $3.50.
The reduction company having never
heard of aluminium being extensively used
in the steam dye business. and with laud-
able desire for the fullest information re-
garding aLy new use Tor its metal. directed
its representative to cultivate Mr.. Strenitz's
acquaintance. Mr.. Strenitz was found in
his dye house. but evaded any conversation
in the direction of aluminium. No appear
ance Of the metal was noticed in his stock.
In Need of Quarter of Ton.
=,
with the reduction company for the pur-
chase of 500 pounds in one lot. Mr.. Strenitz
is reported to be acquainted with the
chemist
The fact that the chemical composition
and general appearance Of the Chicagoan' s
aluminium bears very singular family re-
semblance to the product of the Pittsburg
Reduction Company is regarded as one OF
these condolences which do crop up occa-
sionally. Chemical experts say that when
ever metal of any kind is taken from a
solution by the electric current it IS found
to be in either granular or crystalline con-
ditioD. They say it is impossible for thick
plate of metal to be deposited with smooth
polished surfaces.
The Pitts burg Reduction Company has
offered, through its representative, 81 pound
for ZOO pounds of Hirsh aluminium, bu,
the offer has not been accepted
Figuring on Where 1t Comes From.
Mr.. Warder has an accurate description
of five-pound ingot which had been pre-
sented to Chicago plumbing house by Mr..
Hirsh, and he is now much occupied in
figuring out where it came from.
The demand for aluminium is rapidly in
creasing, and much interest is attached to
any new methods for reducing the metal.
The Pittsburg company turns out 400
pounds per diem, and will shortly enlarge
its capacity to keep pace with its business.