The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-29
Anaconda Neos.
BUSIEST YEAR KNOWN.
The Standard Fire Brick Compsny's Bust
ness Better Than Ever.

mess Better Than Ever.
The year Of unparalleled prosperity
which Anaconda has enjoyed. the
many buildings erected. the improve
ments at the smelters of the Anaconda
company, have all combined to give
that branch OF the works known as the
Standard Fire Brick company the
busiest and most prosperous year in it's
history. The season for the making
of common brick for building purposes
was shortened by the inclement wealth
er, which did not permit the beginning
of work in that department until July
O. and operations were suspended in
September after a run of about three
months.
The fire brick and tile works have
been kept running at full capacity
since the month of January and the
demand for the product has far exceed
ed the supply. The fire brick product
amounts to 100000 brick. the manu-
facture of which has given steady en-
ployment to about 40 men each month.
The silica and fire clay has been fur
nished by quarries at Dillon. Three
Forks and Mill Creek, and the clay
beds at Great Falls and Lost creek.
Every pound of this material has been
hauled by railroad to this city. AS
seven pounds of silica and clay are
used in every brick the estimated
pounds or $3.50 tons. The labor used
in getting out these essentials and in
transporting them to the works is not
included in the list of men employed
and would greatly increase the total
Nor do the above figures include the
material used in the manufacture Of
5000 fire brick tile made during the
past year in these kilns, which would
swell the total amount of material
consumed to 5000 tons or more.
The yards for the making of common
brick opened July 9, having been de-
layed in the start by the frosts Of
spring and the rains of June. For a
period of more than three months 100
men were employed and at the end of
the season 100000 brick had been
made There was on hand a limited
supply of this staple article of build
inb material. The demand for brick
was heavy and the entire product of
the year has been consumed, leaving
on hand only enough for winter and
early spring trade. The pressed brick
department was enlarged during the
season and about 100000 were made.
The clay for these departments was
supplied from the bed near by the
yards. OF the common brick 100000
were made by hand and the remainder
by machines.
The works consumed 1000 cords of
wood and 300 tons of coal during the
year.
A very low estimate of the pay rolo
of the company in Anaconda for the
year brings out that more than half
a million dollars has been paid into
the hands of Anaconda wage workers.
The prospects for the ensuing year
are better and brighter than ever be-
fore and preparations are making for
many necessary and important inn
provements, which IL would be pre-
mature to mention at this time. but
that they will be made is almost a GER
tainty. The works of this company
though seldom taken into account in
enumerating the resources of the city
are not only a most essential source
of revenue to business generally but a
most important factor in the prosper
ity of Anaconda. such as they have
been and such they will continue &c
be in greater degree than ever before
The policy in the past has been to sup
ply first and always local demand fol
their output, but with the enlarge
ment of the factory, the improvements
in machinery and methods. the COM
/ pany will extend operations during the
! coming year and that a generous share
of the patronage of the smelters and
building trade of the state will be wor
| Is a foregone conclusion. 1t is but one
/ of the steps which Anaconda will make
this year toward the central position
in the Northwest as a manufacturing