The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1907-07-20
Anent Concrete Blocks.

Anent Concrete Blocks.
The concrete block industry is max
ing Roadway says the Mining Journal
IL is not conquering the building world
in day. On the contrary its progress
Is slow, considering the volume o.~new
building going on. However, the con
crete block is gaining q little ground
from month TO month, and IL playing
an increasingly important part in
building operations of one kind OF an
other. The South Shore railway Is
about TO embark in its manufacture,
for use on its line in the construction
Of section houses. flag shanties and
other small buildings. A spur track is
being laid 10 the site OF the proposed
plant. which will be located north Of
the tracks between Fourth and Fifth
street. Blocks will be made there in
about month. In the meantime they
are being turned ont near the shops,
where there is an output of about loo a
day.
The reason the South Shore is going
to use concrete blocks is found In the
fact that IL is now cheaper 20 build
with them than with lumber. A con
crete block eight by sixteen inches.
which is the size the company will put
ont, costs about fourteen cents 20
manufactures AT that rate the company
can build OF blocks cheaper than il can
Of lumber, TO say nothing Of the great
er economy OF the blocks in the long
run. A section house. twenty eight by
thirty feet, two stories high, will re-
quire about 2, 200 blocks, and when
once built will last for many years, IA
the danger Of fire is reduced 10 mini
mum and the expense OF maintenance
IL very light There will be no ex-
pense for painting and the repairs will
be comparatively slight compared
with those which wooden structure
would require The South Shore com
pany plans 10 erect it's first concrete
section house at Sage, near An Train
where the old house was DESTROYED by
fire
The South Shores plant will be in
the nature Of an experiment II the
blocks come up 10 expectations it will
doubtless be largely expanded, and ID IL
likely that the use OF the blocks will be-
extended 10 buildings much more pre-
tentious that the humble structures
along the right-ofway out in the
wilds
There has been 70 much experiment
in the making OF concrete blocks said
"a South Shore civil engineer, discuss
ing the matter yesterday 1T has
put back the industry by, in many
cases, discrediting IT, The handling
of concrete is business in which
man ought TO have good technical
knowledge, or be well trained. 10 get
good results Since the concrete block
industry began 10 attract attention
many men not qualified 10 turn ont
good blocks have taken il up An out
fit for their manufacture is not very
expensive. and man with com
paratiyely modest capital can make n
try at the business. As result there
have been many concrete blocks put
out that have not been worthy Of the
name OF couse most Of these blocks
failed 20 give satisfaction. and the
peope who bought them made the mis-
take OF concluding that the whole block
industry was a snare. instead Of laying
the blame where IL belonged. with the
lack OF experience, or skill, Of the man
with whom they dealt
"A concrete block. properly made.
with the proper proportions OF cement
and other material, should be- more
durable than stone, and should stand
mp against any strain put upon IL In
any sort OF building operations. Fur.
thermore IL II Is properly seasoned 10.
fore being exposed 10 the weather IL
should improve under the action OF
the elements. rather than disinterRate
In any way. Good concrete blocks
make an excellent building material.
one on which people can count. How.
ever II you are contemplating build.
ing with concrete be- sure OF the man
who makes the blocks.
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