The Washington herald., 1908-06-14

1t appears that the use Of cement as
building material is making great progress
In some other countries as well as in the
United States. Deputy CoEsui General
J. J. Shechta, writing from Rio JaneirO.
says this is true Of Brazil.
The demand for cement in Brazil is con-
stantly increasing. Importations in 1896
were nearly 100 per cent greater than in
the preceding year. amounting to about
! 81 900 Tor 10000 barrels. the average for
ten years being $4,000 barrels. OF this
amount Germany sent $S54,O00, Belgium,
$685. 600; Great Britain, $3AOOO. and France.
500. 600.
This is a very important trade, in
which the United States does not figure
at all. and. as has been previously point
/ ed out IN reports from this consul gem
/ eral, the extreme conservatism Of con-
tractors in changing brands of cement
they may consider satisfactory is, and
will continue 70 be, a serious obstacle
/ in the Introduction Of American brands.
/ Changes are made however, and
notable example is that Of a recent oc-
! currence when a large importer Of British
/ products gave up the agency Of lead
| ing brand Of English cement for one Of
the Belgian makes. The price for the
1 best grades averages about $3.50 per bar
rel. IN large quanHties.
| The increased demand for cement Is
really due almost entirely to the great
quantities used in hydraulic work. Con-
sideration of the Brazilian style Of archi-
/ lecture VIII convince one that the use
/ OF cement in building operations is not
/ likely 10 prove popular for some time 10
! come. BrazIians prefer snowy building
/ stone when they use stone al all, and the
/ greater part Of the structures are OF
/ brick or cheap building stone. upon the
| surface Of which stUcco and nnewOrk is
used to effect various limitations Of stone
! architecture
| Builders Prefer Pressed Brick.
Common pressed brick is for this pur-
pose much preferred by local contrac-
tors, il being the general opinion that
/ concrete brick do not furnish as good
/ surface as clay There are at present
! three establishments in Rio de Janeiro
manufacturing cement brick, and while
the product is Of the best and certainly
OF a higher architectural value than
I common pressed brick. the latter sell
| at a price from 10 TO 20 per cent less
than the concrete product. and still TIE
demand remains Insignificant Nor Is It
/ probable that concrete building stone
/ viii replace the native granite
This stone is very expensive, u is true,
when worked up into the fancy style
preferred here, but in foundation and
| similar work where concrete is at all
| acceptable. the price Of granite excludes
the possibility of competition, Il being
furnished at about $3.50 per cubic meter
Large Demand for Cement.
The construction Of hydraulic power
plants. harbor Improvement works.
bridges. improvement OF sewerage sys-
tens. and other similar enterprises have
caused the great increase in the de-
mand for cement In addition 10 the
work already under way. there are plans
projected for the construction Of other
power plants in various Brazilian cities.
The extension OF the railway system in
Southern Brazil will necessitate several
large bridges. and for these and other
enterprises contemplated a large amount
Of cement VIII be needed.
AS a suggestion TO American enter
prise II might be we'll 10 note that there
is no reason why Brazil should not
/ furnish her own cement. The head
Of the Brazilian geological service is
/ authority for the statement that West
ern Mnas Geraes furnishes an eX-
tensive deposit OF a very uniform quail
ity Of limestone suitable for cement COM
positions. Some time ago n small plant
was established near the city of sac
Paulo. but the limestone used was Of a
! very irregular formation and the cement
! turned 01,r WAS NOT satisfactory
| Within the past few months a German
| chemist was employed. and the resulting
improvements in properly grading the
| stone used brought success to a more or
less satisfactory extent. At present the
| entire output of the plant is used by the
| government OF the state Of Sac PaulO
the price being the same as for the best
imported cement.
Limestone Deposits Accessible.
The limestone deposits mentioned are
easily accessible TO railways. and prob
ably good rates could be secured. The
Brazilian government is very liberal in
its policy toward the initiation Of such
enterprises, and the indications are that
q careful investigation of the situation
would be favorable 10 the establishment
| OF one or more cement factories in Brazil.
| The land rates for transporting cement
! from Western Minas would probably be
| as high as the transatlantic rates, so
that the manufacturer would have an ad-
vantage of substantially the amount OF
the present duty, about Sl.20 per barrel, in
competing with importers.
| Concrete sewer pipes are being used in
Rio and NiCtheTOy. and are finding much
favor Concrete machinery for making
| these pipes should find sale here, as the
output at present is limited. and does not
supply the demand. In Nictheroy the
tiles used are one meter in diameter.
They are made Of re-enfOrced concrete,
though Il is probable that In a climate
where no frost is to be reckOned with
there is little need of re-enfOrced con-
crete being used If the best process Is
used AS for other concrete machinery,
there is not likely 10 he a large demand
in this city, but in Sac Paulo, Bahia,
Bello. Horizante. and other smaller cities
II Is probable that machinery for build
ing stone and brick would find a market
Everything considered. the most favor
able aspect of the cement trade in Brazil,
so far as American enterprise is con-
cerned, Is IN the matter OF establishing
cement plants Such plants would open
the market 10 American concrete ma
lcbinerv Of various kinds, and constitute
an opportunity to get. at least indirectly.
a share Of the business in a trade which
otherwise it is doubtful If American in
terests can secure.
Buys Cottage in Illinois Avenue.
WHIige. Gibbs & Daniel have sold for
Mrs. Marion Smith the frame cottage at
| -oo- rl1f-cyc avauun hatunau Er,nrcor orH