West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-06-27
Cement INDUSTRY
Prof. GriDSley Talks Interestingly Of
lis Possibilities.
ONLY ONE PLANT IN THE STATE
Located at Rowlesburg West Virginia
Ahouuds in Unlimited Raw
Material.

Prof. George b. Grinsley, of Nor
gantown, chief assistant to State
Geologist DR.. l. G. White, is max
ing extensive investigation of the
states natural material for the man
nfacture OF Portland cement. Prof.
Grinsley talked interestingly Of the
tests he had made of West Virginia
shaie stone for cement.
: "portland cement derives its name
from the fact that an English inven
tor in 1914 patented a material
which resembled in color and forma-
ton the famous Portland stone. This
cement was the first OF its kind dis
covered, which, when submerged in
salt sea water, withstood IT'S raw.
ages" said Prof. Grinsley.
"West Virginia abounds in un-
Z. limited raw material fit for the max
, ing of Portland cement" SAID he.
sit is surprise to me that this in
dustry has not been developed here
years ago. Everybody knows West
Virginia as a coal, oil and gas state.
We now want to make her known as
the greatest cement producing state
IN America We have the material
There and all that is needed is devel.
ropment.
"rhere is only one plant in the
state.-at Rowlesburg, where a 900
barrel plant is IN operation. The
growth of the cement industry in
this country since 1901 has been
phenomenal. The increase last year
was 9, 900, 900 barrels. or nearly as
much as the total output in 1901
The output in the United States has
Increased from 5000, 900 barrels
in 1901 to IS, 600, 900 barrels in
1906. Pennsylvania leads in the
cement production.
hS hSfhduN ioI ISlhSuA III pace
of brick or stone as a building ma
terial is constantly increasing. The
material known as reinforced con
crete is made largely from cement
which makes Its crushing power well
nigh irresistible. The Baltimore FIRE
and the San Observation-Disclosures dem
onstrated the comparative indie.
structibihty of this durable material
In contrast to brick and stone.
ga few years ago the use Of &c.
ment was limited TO the building Of
foundations and lighthouses and
other submerged structures, and its
use for supersiruclur4l purposes was
considered predetermined if not
doubtful. Today such buildings as
the great Engel block in Clnci matt
and several new ire-proof structures
IN Baltimore, show the wisdom of
using re enforced concrete FOR walls
and ceilings where real fire pIoof
building IS desired.
Portland cement IS a mixture of
shaie and clay, of which unlimited
quantities are to be found in this
state. The manufacture of cement
from these raw materials necessi
tates their being burnt at very high
temperature. The fuel tor this
burning process is right at hand.
The material for the cement and
the fuel are 10 be found on the main
lines of the y. & o. in this state,
within 100 miles Of Atlantic ocean
tidewater. The nearness OF all this
material to The great cities Of Pitts
burg, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Buffalo,
Columbus, Baltimore, New York,
and other large and growing centers
Of population, would make a ready
and constant market for this new
product"
"What, If any steps are being
taken 20 develop this industry" was
asked
81 have taken up this phase Of
lhe matter in my report, and have
also addressed Communications 10
ihe Engineering and Mining Journal
~ Of New York, and other standard
publications. answered Prof Gnns-
ley. Prof Crnsley here showed a
fopy Of The Engineering Journal
n,ehtfoned, dated May zs, which
consisted an article written by him
on .''Poulsnd Ceme1t and Other
Resources d West Virginia "The
fact that This Journal was wiling TO
publish my contribution gives il
faith with the reader" SAID Mr.
Grinsley. "I have already received
a number Of letters from persons
and firms who wish lo know more
about the facilities for st.5men.
here and other things 70 connection
with The establishment Of r'aui..
Mai G. ID Elliott &. S. marshal
f0r this district and number Of
Parkcfshrrg and MUrr|.ry rsrt...