Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1901-09-26
WILL LEAD IN CEMENT.
Great Gain Made by United
States In It's Production.
NO QUESTION OF ITS VALUE.

omin More Generally Used, and
Builders Say II VIII Replace Stone
and Brick and VIII Be Principal
Construction Material Figures
Showing Growth Of Industry.
Recent statistics in regard to the pro-
duction Of Portland cement indicate
that the United States is destined to
lead the world in that manufacture, as
it is first among all of the nations in
steel construction for building pur-
poses, says the Chicago Post. Within
the last Il years the production Of
cement in the United States has in
creased % times and is used in nearly
all construction in preference to that
imported from Europe. Foreign manu-
facturers fear the progress OF the
American product, and less cement is
being imported today han eve before
in the history Of its manufacture.
On the same ratio the use Of cement
for building purposes has increased
during the same period until today it is
used for every form Of construction
for which stone was formerly employ
ed. An entire business building was
recently constructed of cement in
Washington, and it is successfully
used for the construction Of residences.
The railroads have adopted it for
bridge building. Viaducts, roadbeds,
fireproof flooring and similar con-
struction are among the more recent
uses to which the material is being
put by successful contractors and
builders in the United States.
In view of these facts d few figures
showing the growth of the industry in
America are of interest. During the IL
year period referred to the product has
increased from $4,000 barrels to
100000 barrels. AT the present time
Portland cement is produced at more
than so factories, with an average cap
ital estimated at $50, OOO,O 900. The value
Of the domestic product annually is
not less than $40, 900, 900.
In 1890 - per cent of the cement
used in the United States was OF do
mestic manufactures; in 1900, with the
total consumption four times greater,
but % per cent was imported. A few
years ago all of the product used in
Chicago was manufactured abroad,
WILLIE Oudy Uu11ueIS anu COlIEdCtOES
say practically no imported cement is
used in Chicago for any purpose. That
of domestic manufacture is considered
better and cheaper.
There is no longer any question as
to the value of cement in all construc-
ton in which brick and stone have
been used in the past" said City En-
gineer Ericsson. "Its use is becoming
more general with the knowledge ac-
quired by experience, and 1 do not
doubt hat ultimately cement will take
the place of stone and brick altogether,
for the reason that it is better and
cheaper. In that event America is GER
tain to take the lead in it's production,
as it presents the largest field for it's
use.
cit is only recently that the value of
concrete as a building material has
been generally understood. Today
houses are being built out of concrete
or cement stone, n the construction
is entirely successful. In my opinion
the most valuable use to which cement
has been recently successfully employ
ed has been instunnel and conduit con-
struction. 1t is superior to brick in ev-
cry way. It furnishes a better surface,
is tighter, cheaper and far easier to
handle in construction. 1t is used with
equal success in the building of sew
ers n drains. In fact, there is no
construction today in which it does not
have it's place. All good foundations
are of concrete, it is used extensively
In bridge construction and is today
second only to steel construction in the
Line Of modern building materials.
"There is not the slightest question
that cement can be manufactured as
cheap if not cheaper in this country
than abroad. The quality of domestic
product is equal to that of imported
material. Best evidence of this is found
in the fact that here in Chicago, one of
the leading cement markets in the
country, nothing but imported cement
was used up to a few years ago. Today
l do not know Of a barrel Of foreign
product which has gone into construc-
ton during the last two years."
Inquiry among b large contractors
n cement dealers confirmed the con-
fdence expressed in the future Of the
cement industry in America. "This
country is bound to become the great
est producer Of cement if for no other
reason than because it furnishes the
greatest field for it's consumption" said
Fred 2. Updike, president of a COM
pany of contractors. "There is scarcely
any building construction today in
which it is not an important factor.
Steel and cement construction are the
best the world has ever known, and
this country is able to produce both of
unequaled quality"
Thomas Moulding, who is regarded
as an authority pom the product,
voices practically the same opinion as