The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-18
Substitute for Copper.


the United States geological survey II
appears that the quantity of copper
produced in the United States in 1907,
compared with the output of the year
before showed a decrease without pre-
cedent. In the annual yield of all i'm
portant minerals there is more or less
variation but in copper production this
lack of uniformity is especially notice
able.
The announcement will doubtless di-
rect fresh attention to the possibility of
getting from aluminium the service Tor
which copper was long exclusively en-
ployed. The white metal has an cleo
tricaI conductivity slightly lower than
that of the red, but it is much lighter.
A pound of the former has more than
three times the bulk of the latter Sew
era1 years ago, when aluminium cost
about twice as much as copper, it was
found that it could be employed as
cheapIy in the construction OF a power
transmission line. Since that time the
price of aluminium has been SenSibly
lowered, the processes of manufacture
being less expensive than formerly. An
engine ering correspondent of the Lon
don Times asserted last month that at
the prices then prevailing twice as
many miles of line could be built with
aluminium as with copper for a given
sum of money. If the statement was
true at the time it was made, and II 1t
represents commercial conditions likely
to continue for any length of time, 1T
seems to point to valuable conclusion.
Only a comparatively small share of
the copper used by the electrician is put
into power-transmision wires. Much IS
used for trolley wires, which are sub
ject to an apprecia BILE amount of wear.
Aluminium being little softer than cop
per, it might not serve quite so Well.
The increased bulk necessary might be
an objection to the substitution of al
uminum for copper in the construction
of dynamos and electric motors. Doubts
have been expressed, moreover, about
its availability for underground cables,
because with larger conductor
greater amount of insulating material
on it's surface would be required, and
the cost of manufacture corresponding
ly enhanced. Electrical engineers VIII
doubtless give the problems of this sort
distinct advantage in the use of alumni
num.-New York Tribune.
The Cheapness of Life.
During last year labor in the United
States lost nearly $4,000 lives in the
course of employment. There were also
about 100000 accidents. Most indus
tries involve risks, some greater than
others. The accident rate of electricians
Is excessive. That of coal miners is
10 per 1000 in the United States to
L.29 per 1000 in the United Kingdom.
This proportion holds among the rail
road employees. We lost ESQ per 1000
to Gerrnany's .95 per LOCO In other
words, we slaughtered on the average
915 more coal in miners than England,
and lbs more railroad employees than
Germany.
Two conditions account for this ex-
,essive death rate that runs through
but all our departments of labor. First,
the reckless Indifference and careless
ness, united with an inherent dislike to
obedience, that characterize our Amer
can workmen. Second. the unwilling
ness of employers to install accident
saving devices, and to compel military
obedience to preventive orders.
Germany has a permanent exposition
IF accident-saving devices which has
been productive of great benefit to life.
This feature England is copying.-Bos-
.on Post.