The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-12
CEMENT TRUST ATTACKED.
1t Is Expected to Retaliate with Cut
Prices Next Year.

Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind, Jan. n.-Wlth-
in the next year there promises to be an
upheaval in the cement industry III thls
county that will amount almost to a reVolu-
ton of the trade. There are thirteen mills
in the county, eleven of which are members
of the Louisville Cement Association or
trust, and the remaining two are lnoe-
pendent. The trust factories are all closed
down for the winter, while the Independent
mills are running and scarcely able TO MI
their orders. The trust people say mat the
nonassociation factories are keeping up pc
cause they have cut the price. 1t Is quite
likely the trust will fight back with the
same kind of weapons next year and 1t Is
expected that the price of cement VIII drop
several points on the barrel.
The Standard mill, located at Charles
town, is an anti-as5ociation factory ana mas
all the business it can handle. Those who
claim to know say that the Standard Is
ready for war and will meet all cuts with
a deeper one. A company headed by Jacob
Weaver is making preparations TO crect a
mill at SellerSburg. and also a new mil ~
soon to be built by Mr.. Charles Goetz, OF st.
Louis. Both will be run independent OF the
trust. MI. Goetz is a large dealer IN cemeni
and has an established trade tnat VIII
furnish a market for his output. His com
ing into the field as a manufacturer VIII
help to precipitate the fight. The trust peo-
pie look on him as being the most lor-
midable rival they have had. Ills mill VIII
be erected on land adjacent to the famous
Black Diamond mill, which IS known al
over the country for its first-class product
1t is also reported that some or the opera
tors of Clark county mills are interested
in a mill that is soon to be built near Con-
nersville, Ind, 1t is an open secret tnaf tne
cement industry in Clark county is tar from
being as profitable as in former years.
Business depression and competition nave
robbed the old mill owners of q vast amount
of revenue, while Portland cement made IN
America, has become a rival on account
of it's cheapness. There are two factories in
Pennsylvania and one in Ohio that are max
ing Portland cement equal TO that I'M
ported and u great deal cheaper. rms cuts
a large figure with the Clark county mills.
A few years ago all of the Portland cement
was made in Europe and was nlgh priced.
When Indiana cement could possibly pe SUI
stituted it was done. but now the prices are
so nearly the same that American Portland
is being used instead of the cheaper grade.
This fact is causing the Union Lime and &C.
ment Company to seriously consider the
building of a Portland plant at Bedford,
Ind. The hackers nave been experimenting
and find they have the oolitic stone, the
clay and the kaOlin in abundance tnere:
These have been tested by q chemist and
pronounced to equal any in the country and
with them Portland cement. equal to the
Portland cement requires the constant at
tention of a chemist. He must mix the in
gradients. BY this time next year IT IS eX--
pected that the Union Lime and Cement
Company will have completed a Portland
mill at Bedford. Originally Portland ce-
ment was made only in England out OF clay
found in the vicinity of Portland, and from
this it derived its name. :
The finest field for the manufacture OF
this cement is said to be certain parts OF
Arkansas, but for some reason none is made
there. A new factory has recently been
started at Chicago, but 1t IS necessary 10
have all the raw material shipped IN.