The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-08-26
Plant of the Firth-Stir-
ling Steel Company at
GieSbOrO Point Now
Nearing Completion.
One Million Dollars In
vested in Land and
Buildings Shows Faith
in Capitals Future.

Casting aside that form of inactivity
always charged against cities cata-
logued as "of the purely residential
class" Washington viii soon enter into
phase Of business activity which prom
Uses TO carry 80 into the frort rank OF
cities of the Industrial class
How near the community is TO the
realization OF this condition, long look
cd-tOr and wishcd-for by many, IS told
in a brief story OF the remarkable prog
ress made by the agents of the Firth
Stirling Steel Company, OF Pittsburg. in
the work Of constructing a mammoth
steel plant AT GiesbuTc Point. ON the
Potomac. below AnaCostIa.
70 have suggested a year ago the
erection here Of plant for the manu-
tIctura of steel projeculcs would have
been declared almost absurd. sixty days
hence. 10 OffeT the statement OF j. IT,
Rose, local agent and constructing en-
gineer OF the Firth-Stirljng Company,
four modern structures for the manu-
facture of steel projectiles and practice
shells for United States Government
consumption will have been completed,
The Nations Capital Will then receive
its hTst recognition as a steel producing
city
Purchase of the Site.
Barely Ave months ago the FIrth-Sur-
ling Company. long established as
competitor for Government contracts.
with other large projectile producing
firms, sent its representative. Mr.. Rose.
To this city. instructed 90 purchase the
required building site. Ten acres at
IA
construction work Immediately begun.
During the interval which has elapsed a
small army Of expert steel workers,
concrete mixers, and miscellaneous Ia
U1rers have been constantly busy, and
In the four principal structures which
have so far taken definite shape over
solid foundations OF concrete Is read
the second chapter of Washington's
awakening into industrial life.
The third and final chapter viii come
two months from now. when the last
echo OF the hammers is heard ana
the actual work Of constructing sire
plant ceases. Then. according TO AR.
Rose. the company win kindle It's blast
furnaces and. with the orders for Tro-
Jectiles now on hand. viii be prepared
20 run at least a year without stopping.
AZ NtA u IL NAiA We q va -tt'tNi-i-e
when the squadrons OF Uncle Sans
navy need their batteries replenished
and tho hugo armor plates az the In
dian Head proving ground have 20 be
tested.
Million Dollars Invested.
TIA the entire plant. which. when COM
pletcd. win be modern IN every detail
and VIII contain new features in this
branch of the steel Industry. there will
be represented an investment Of nearly
SI.o00C30. IT will give employment the
year round to about 500 men. who viii
receive the top wages paid TO laboriug
men Of this class. The plant VIII be
equipped 10 compete with any proJectile
manufacturing concern in the country.
The main building viii be the ma
chine shop. a structure built entirely
OF steel. 800 by 126 feet. and which will
contain the best lathes and stcel-turninr
machinery. The forge shop win rank
next in Importance. measuring 800 by
70. feet. and in 1t VIII be located the
big blast furnaces where the actual
work or casting the shells and pro1ectHes
VIII be done.
Use Big Power Plant.
Emerging from the furnaces. the pro-
iectiles viii next pass into the treat
ment shop. where they are prepared for
use and delivery. A fine power house.
costing 10000 and containing dynamos
capable OF producing LOCO horsepower. !
Wit complete the group of four inter
estiug buildings In this power plant
viii be generated all the lighting and
motive power used IN connection with
the steel plant
Immediately following the completion
or the first four structures. il is the
intention OF the Firth-StirlinE Company
90 dismantle three buildings now used /
I'm connection with the Pittsburg plant. /
transport them TO this city. and erect |
them at GIesbOro Point. making seven 4
buildings in all
These buildings will be known as the |
laboratory. storehouse. and blacksmith 1
shop. and their presence here is re- 4
garded by the company as being. neces-
sary tc complete the modern steel
UIauf which has come In the Eav,+,T /