Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-11-04
TO TEST CLAY PRODUCTS.
Government Agents Take Up Work Of
jnyestiu atinu Industry.


Washington, Nov. AT the request
of federal officials in charge of the
construction work of the government,
which now amounts 10 more than
$40 .OO0, 900 annually, the United States
geological survey, thru its techno-
logic branch, has taken UP a general
investigation of the clays and clay
products of the country. A ceramic
section has been created with A. V.
Bleininger OF Champaign, ILL.,, as Ger
annie chemist.
Government engineers, startled at
the enormous losses from fire in this
country and the consequent destruc-
ton Of valuable natural resources.
have been endeavoring for some time
to learn more about the Increasing
qualities of structural materials, not
only to stop the present waste, but also
to preserve if possible. the waning tim
her supply 1t was for this reason that
the government few years ago took
up a scientific study OF concrete,
which is now being used extensively In
government construction work.
Clay products, such as hollow tile,
terra Gotta, enameled
brick and glazed tile. play an import
ant part in modern fireproof buildings
and these are to be tested for the diff
ferent construction bureaus of the
This will insure the
highest quality of ware obtainable> in
the industry for the government build
ings A series of tests will also be con-
Quoted with bricks in order that a
standard may be arrived at for the
use of the engineers in the future.
Mr.. Bleininger, the clay expert is one
Of the leading authorities in his line in
the United States. In outlining his
work he said: "The coming tests,
aItho conducted to meet the needs
Of the government will be of great
value to the engineering profession
and the public. for the results will be
obtainable by anyone sufficiently In
terested to ask for them.
can important phase of the work
will be the determining of a standard
'or a good brick. We shall study the
relation between the crushing strength
If commercial bricks and their poros-
ty, the object being the establishing
IF technical definition for a good
building brick, thus enabling engin-
,ers and builders TO reject poor ma
erials and encouraging the manufae-
urers of well-made and burnt bricks.
At the present time we do not know
he difference between a good and a
BAD brick.
another feature of the work will
consist in evolving standard tests of
lays for the purpose of determining
he use to which they are best suited.
hus assisting in the development OF
he clay resources of the country sani
wedding the great money losses caused
~ ill-advised investments in low grade
LAY properties. An examination OF
many failures Of new clay enterprises
nay frequently be traced back to a
mistake made in the selection OF the
lay deposit
another phase Of the work deals
With the general manufacturing prob
EN-. / might mention the important
question of white wash appearing on
,rick walls, difficulty causing serious
and loss to manufacturers
md users of bricks by marring the
beauty OF many structures.
1.-THE clay industry is one of the
most, important in the country. Last
ear the value of such products
to s14s,6s7 900, a gain of IA
,er cent over the previous year. We
re slowly realizing that it is not nee
ssary to import clay or clay products
rom Europe. An American manufac-
urer has demonstrated that he can
make, as fine china and porcelain as
o,- ono in tho world Wa ir,,nOrt fho
iner grades of glass, but this is nee
ssary. We have the silicates here.
The best cut glass in the world is made
n the United States"
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