The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-10
PORTLAND CEMENT
FACTS REGARDING 1T THAT ARE OF
MUCH INTEREST.
How Ii Is Made, the Uses to Which 1t
Is Put, Modern Machinery, Etc.

Portland cement derives it's name from
the fact that in 1924 Mr.. Apsdin. who lived
in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, manufac-
tured cement at Portland hill. The encyclo-
pedia describes it as an artificial stone of
exceeding strength and durability, requr-
ing only the admixture of water. 1t may
then be nodded into any shape 1t may be
furnished In packages of any desired size
and used where and when wanted without
regard to climatic condition. When hard
ened Portland cement is so close-grained
and homogeneous in it's texture that it is
less affected by water and variations of
temperature than any known building
stone
CEMENT USED 1900 YEARS AGO IN
EGYPT.
Cement was used 1000 years ago in Egypt
for building purposes and has been used in
European countries for many years. 1t is
only in recent years, however, that 1t has
come to be recognized and appreciated in
the United States as preferable to natural
stone in nearly all places that natural stone
is used. In England the Portland cement
is made from chalk and carbonate Of lime,
but in Germany mari and clay are used
For years the German Portland cement
builders, but the mari and clay beds owned
in Lake and Newaygo counties, Michigan.
by the Great Northern Portland Cement ofd,t
Company are superior 10 the mari and clay
found in Germany.
PROCESS OF MANUFACTURE.
In Germany and England the materials
all handled by hand in the primitive
way that has ruled for years. Here at
home. however. machinery has been per-
l,f.I, for
nearly the entire process, one workman
here accomplishing much with the use
OF machinery as twelve workmen with
out II.
USES OF PORTLAND CEMENT.
The principal uses to which Portland ce-
ment has been put thus far is for the build
ing of foundations of all kinds, floors in
large buildings, jetties, walks, abutments
and bridge piers. The bridge piers on the
new Martinsvile electric line are built of
cement, as are also the floors in the Newton
Claypool building and the new Bates
House. The time is close at hand, however,
when entire buildings will be constructed
of it.
DEMAND EXCEEDS THE SUPPLY.
The demand far exceeds the supply There
are now about 10000 barrels day manufac-
tured in the United States. Last year
imported from Germany alone over 2,5OO.00O
barres-more than 5000 barrels a day for
every working day of the year. Several
million more barrels could have been sold
if they could have been obtained The Port
land cement business in this country is in
its infancy The demand for years 10 come
will far exceed the supply;
Read what the UNITED STATES IN
VESTOR' had to say concerning the Great
Northern Portland Cement Company and
the cement business:
Considering that the enterprise is al
ready upon established basis, with a
certainty of profitable future expansion, we
feel warranted in the assurance that this is
one of the most attractive propositions TO
investors that has ever come to notice.
1t will therefore, be readily understood
that with the tremendous resources of this
company that $500 per share will be low
estimate of the future value of the stock
issued by the Great Northern Portland Ce-
ment Company, which owns more material
than any four mills in the world combined
and now has the largest plant in exist
ense."
From present indications Portland cement
will advance rather than decline in the next
two years. There is manufactured in this
country 100000 barrels yearly of natural
rock and Rosendale grades. One barrel Of
Portland cement makes more and better
concrete than three barrels of natural rock,
and the latter will naturally be displaced If
Portland cement ever goes below $50 per
The indianapolis market July 1st, 1902,
ranged from sos to $3.50 per barrel but
the Great Northern Company can manufac-
tlIre il for 30 cents per barrel. This leaves
q rroft Of several hundred per cent With
capacity of 1900 barrels a day at such
profit a barrel it can be seen that by Oct.
/ this company will be earning net profit
of several thousand dollars per day.
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