The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-14
CEMENT IS in DEMAND
INDUSTRY THAT is GROWING RAPID
LY IN THIS COUNTRY.
Production Has Doubled I'm Five Years
and Its Use Increasing-Little
Exported.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.-"The Cement
Age" is the suggestive caption under which
Toronto publication calls attention to
the increasing demand for cement in the
Dominion of Canada. Indications are not
wanting that cement 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
i'm many parts of the Union, but Is even
more strongly suggested by the rapid in
crease in the production of cement during
the past decade. and especially during the
past five years. According to figures re-
ceived by the treasury bureau Of statistics,
the production 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 begin
ming of 1896 the production had remained
practically stationary at about $4,000 bar
rels per annum.
That American manufacturers are begin
ming to take advantage of the home market
the official figures of the bureau OF statistics
relative to the commerce in this article. The
exports of cement are very small. Prior TO
1897 they were too insignificant for separate
enumeration; in that year they amounted
to IS. 900 barrels, valued at $1,l6O, and have
steadily increased year by year since that
time, 1872. 462 barrels having been exported
in 1902, valued at 1851. $50. Meantime the
market for foreign cement is becoming
more and more restricted in the United
States. In 1902 the imports amounted to
nearly 100000 barrels, valued at a little
less than $4,000 900 dollars, the importations
remaining practically stationary from that
time until 1901, when they showed a marked
downward tendency, being In that year l.
1865. $40 barrels valued at A,47s. 452, the low
est point reached in the past fifteen years
While these figures are small in comparison
with the volume Of our total commerce
they are chiefly interesting as showing the
tendencies in an industry. which is still in
its initial stages, but which promises &c
supply an important substitute for wood
stone and iron in the building and allied
trades.
to World, although addressed primarily to
to conditions in the United States: 1.-The
use of Portland cement Is in Its infancy
and the manufacture of 1t on large scale
is only beginning in this country. Cemen,
promises TO replace stone Tor all kinds OF
heavy foundations and other wall works
to replace stone for paving, to replace brick
very largely for building, and 10 replace
lumber where lumber has been used. In
deed, cement will soon be. next to. steel
perhaps more than steel. the chief building
material OF this continent. Our houses viii
soon come TO be of cement. and every day
sees the field for the use OF cement grow
| ing at a surprising ratio"
The following table shows the production
| importation and expectation of cement In
| barrels in the United States from 1891 tc
1902 the figures OF production being supplied
| by the Geological Survey, those OF com
4 rnerce by the Bureau of Statistics: