The record-union., 1896-08-10

are competed tney Will nave dill Oulpul
of 1900 pounds daily. This improve
ment will put the United States in front
as the largest aluminium producing
country in the world.
Aluminum's weight is about one-third
of that of iron, and only steel of the
highest quality and the best aluminium
bronze will give a greater strength for
a given weight than aluminium. 1t
stands high in the list of malleable met
ais and can be drawn into wire 1-250th
of an inch in thickness. 1t is an ex-
cellent conductor of electricity and
would at 20 cents a pound take the
place of copper for all electric purposes.
In ship building, where hghtness is
demanded, aluminium meets every re-
Quirement. Corrosion and galvanic
action are easily overcome by properly
painting the part subject to the action
of the water and by using aluminium
rivets. France and Germany have sew
eral torpedo-boats made of aluminium
and numberless pleasure yachts are be-
ing constructed every year of this
metal
In Germany two army corps are
equipped with aluminium, which in
cludes chevrons and every article Of
metal that is carried on the person,
even the buttons on their clothes and
the pegs in their shoes. Their sword,
bayonet scabbards and contents are
also made of the metal. In Paris there
is cab made Of aluminium and some of
our best racing records have been made
by horses carrying aluminium shoes and
pulling aluminium sulzies. For deco
rating purposes it is better than silver,
because the air, which blackens silver
so quickly. has no effect on it. The
President of one of the largest palace
car companies IN this country is said to
have remarked that the price alone
kept aluminium from being used entire
~ IN car decoration. A short time ago
an enterprising firm In Ohio built sew
eral aluminium duckng boats, as well
as number of row boats They found,
to their surprise, they were filling
long-felt want, especially in the duck
ing boat, as this craft was extremely
light and non-sinkable.
Price has been the only drawback to
the general use of aluminium, but that
will soon be such that the rich and poor
alike will be able to enjoy the great ad-
vantages which the metal offers. It
seems likely that the year 1897 will see
aluminium selling at less than 30 cents
a pound.
Thus the growth of this wonderful
metal has been spreading out in all d.
rections. A few weeks ago an alumni
mum bicycle was shipped to an eminent
politician in England, Mr.. Balfour.
Here again it's beauty and non-tarnish-
able qualities, together with its light
ness, make it most desirable The pos
sibilities of flying machines and alumni
mum railway carriages occur to one when
one thinks of the gigantic strides the
metal has already taken.
Two years ago a friend Of mine met
with a frightful accident. He was run
over by a Brooklyn trolley car. OF the
results of this catastrophe knew moth
ing when 1 met him some months later
at a ball. He was walking across the
room when he suddenly tripped and
fell. I rushed to help him and found
that he had tainted, so as to avoid a
scene I picked him up and carried him
upstairs I was surprised to find how
light he was, but supposed he had been
ill and consequently lost flesh. AS
was leaving the room heard something
drop behind me with metallic ring,
and at the same time / felt my friend
grow lighter. Not daring to look back,
[ hastened to get upstairs as quickly as
possible. and as l turned at the top of
the stairs man ran UP saying, Elk
cuse me, sir, you have dropped some
thing" handing me at the same time
my friends right leg-another use to
which aluminium may be put. Cooks of
the twentieth century viii no doubt de-
rnand that their employers supply
them with aluminium cooking utensils,
as the metal is an excellent conductor
of heat. and 1t is almost impossible to
scorch anything while cooking. Den
lists are already using it in making
plates, etc, as aluminium has this ad-
vantage over gold, that on contact with
metallic substances no disagreeable
electric current is set up. For scientific
instruments such as sextants, transits,
levels. etc, where the inertia of heavy
moving part is to be avoided aluminium
Is the metal par excellence. Photog-
rauhers find aluminium flash light pow
der better than the present magnesium,
as II Is cheaper and not so liable TO ex-
nIoda in preparation and produce none
~ the white fumes so disagreeable in
the use of magnesium. Among other
uses for aluminium are keys. watches,
musical instruments, car roofs, Ice and
roller skates and many other arucles
which lack of space prevents mention
ing.
The substitution of aluminium for
copper and nickel has long been sub
ject of debate and a bill is now before
the House of Representatives authoriz-
ing the Secretary of the Treasury to
make a trial of aluminium coins The
advantage of aluminium for coinage are
these:
l. 1t takes fine impression when
stamped.
2. Wears remarkably well.
3. 1t resists corrosion better than
copper, bronze or any of the common
metals. Besides this, If it does corrode
slightly. the salts formed are harm
less, which is more than can be said
of any other metal.
4. Weight for weight 1t is cheaper
than copper and only slightly dearer
than nickel alloy.
8. Lightness. "At present" to quote
Professor Richards, 1.-The people of the
United States are carrying around
probably 5000 tons of minor coins. >
Aluminums weight IS about one-third
OF that Of copper or nickel; SO we