The Washington bee., 1899-07-29

Elevator May BE of Amy Length or
Width to Fit Amy Plot Of Ground.
II is probable that Duluth Will soon
have the largest grain elevator in the
world. with a storage capacity Of B.
GDDW0 bushels under one roof. Not
only is this new structure to be notable
for its size. but il is also TO be on
plan new TO America. The banks OF
the Danube in ROumania are dotted
here and there with grain elevators
of small size built Of concrete. The
Peavey Grain Company, the largest
handler of grain in the world, has been
investigating the system and has de-
cided TO utilize il in its new elevator
in this city. The Peavey company now
has more grain storage than any other
concern in existence and is adding 10
it every year. Ii has in operation here
elevators Of wood that will hold about
100000 bushels. has the same capac-
ity at Minneapolis. and 100000 at
Chicago besides some 100000 bushels
more at Kansas City. Omaha and other
centres Of the West Besides it has
in operation about 800 country eleva-
tors of an average capacity of 10000
terminal and country. of about A.
100000 bushels. All this is the growth
of less than ten years. and almost en-
tirely the individual work of one man,
Frank H. Peavey of Minneapolis. who
is still young man.
Mr. Peavey has been investigating
the system of ROumania. and has been
so much impressed that il is TO be
h.r.
considerable more than wood. Prob
ably in the elevator TO be built the diff
ference will be not less than 100000.
but the gain in insurance is so great
that there is an actual saving. Insur-
ance in wood houses is about 1l2 per
cent and il is impossible TO build struc-
lures over a certain size. as no insur-
ance concerns in the world will carry
the tremendous risks aggregated un-
der one roof when that roof covers mil
lions of bushels of wheat. In Struc-
lures built Of concrete and rooted with
steel or tiles there need be no insur-
ance. and the elevator owner can get
additional profit. or if il is decided TO
carry policies they can he had in plenty
at one-quarter of ] per cent Steel ele-
vators such as that of the Great
same advantage in point Of insurance
as those of concrete. but they are
much more costly. and there is danger
that the grain will sweat in the bins
and be ruined thereby The contract
was let a short time ago for steel and
the erection of the Great Northern's
elevator here. with a capacity of 1900
600 bushels and the contract price was
IN1,s. .,.1I
tions, machinery. docks and many
other items. Wood houses of the same
capacity might be constructed entire
for S6O0OO0.
The Peavey elevators floor plan will
be that Of a great honeycomb. and adj
ditional capacity can be given. as the
bee adds to the capacity of its comb.
10y putting on more cells. These cells
will be built TO a height of some seven
ty feet. tunnels built under them to
transfer the contents. and a roof put
over Of tile or metal. The concrete is
in the form of slabs Of Portland ce-
ment. The slabs are erected to the re-
quired height and the house is ready
10 receive its contents The cement
elevator may be built of any desired
length or width TO fit any ground. and
tdi bt dtlt'u 10 With ease. 1T cdu-
not burn. and grain can be kept there
in with greater safety from heating
than in wooden or steel elevators
we are aiming TO secure the very
best and most advanced method of
grain handling in this house." said Mr.
Peavey in speaking Of his plan. land
if the cement elevator proves the best.
as we think. we shall use ii and have
the most up-tO-date and complete stor-
age for grain in the world My eX-
pertS have been on the Danube for
weeks looking into this system and
have made exhaustive reports thereon.
Electrical experts are now being con-
suited on plans for operating the en-
tire system. at Duluth, 100000
bushels. 10y electricity derived from
some central plant. The most distant
of these houses will be five miles apart.
The old plan of operating an entire
elevator 10y one steam engine will be
thrown aside with us and electric
motors set where they will be needed.
Each leg. each belt. each platform. &c.
will be run by an independent motor,
and the cost of power will be greatly
reduced in consequence"