The Washington times., 1902-10-13
CEMENT A FACTOR IN
COMMERCIAL WORLD
Statistics as to Exports and
Imports

Indications are not wanting that ce-
ment is soon to become an important
factor in the industrial and commercial
development Of the United States. Its
ready adaptability for use as building
material. decorative purposes and street
improvement is not only suggested by
the erection Of costly manufacturing
plants in many parts of the Union, but
is even more strongly suggested by the
rapid increase in the production OF
cement during the past decade, and es-
pecially during the past five years.
According to figures received by the
Treasury Bureau OF Statistics. the pro-
duction of cement in the United States
has actually doubled in five years, the
total for 1901 being 100000 barrels.
as against 100000 barrels in 1897;
while during the period from 1892 up
to the beginning of 1895 the production
had remained practically stationary, at
about s.5OO,0OO barrels per annum.
Home Market for Cement.
That American manufacturers are be-
ginning to take advantage of the home
market for cement is seen by an exam
ination of the official figures Of the Bu-
reau of Statistics, relative to the COM
merce in this article. The exports Of
cement are very small.
Prior to 1897 they were too insignifi-
cant for separate enumeration. In that
hnx
valued at SLIGO. and have steadily in
creased year by year since that time,
3s2, ,462 barrels having been exported in
1902. valued at 1851 1926.
Meantime the market for foreign ce-
ment Is becoming more and more re-
stricted in the United States. In 1892
the imports amounted to nearly three
million barrels, valued at little less
than four million dollars, the importa-
tions remaining practically stationary
from that time until 1901, when they
showed a-marked downward tendency,
being in that year 1,5e6,926 barrels.
valued at s2.19s.s .ss1. and in 1902, 1,o5s. $40
barrels, valued at STATS .452. the lowest
..
Building Material Substitute.
While these figures are small in COM
parison with the volume of our total
commerce. they are chiefly interesting
as showing the tendencies in an indus
try which is still in its initial stages,
but which promises to supply an impor-
tant substitute for wood, stone and iron
In the building and allied trades.
The following paragraph from the
Toronto World" though addressed
primarily to Canadian readers. is even
more applicable to conditions in the
United States:
THE use OF Portland cement is in its
infancy and the manufacture Of it on q
large scale is only beginning in this
country. Cement promises TO replace
stone for all kinds OF heavy foundations
and other wall works, to replace stone
or paving, to replace brick very largely
for building. and to replace lumber
where lumber has been used Indeed.
cement will soon be. next to steel, per-
,aps more than steel. the chief build
ng material of this continent. Our
houses will soon come to be OF cement
and every day sees the field for use of
cement growing at surprising ratio."
Comparative Statement.
The following table shows the pro-
iuction. Importation, and expectation of
in the United States from 1891 to
902, the figures of production being sup |
,lied by the Geological Survey, those OF |
commerce by the Bureau of Statistics:
pr.nductiar, I,rlral.rt atinn E1rarf afian