The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1909-10-07
ASPHALT AND B|TUMEN
PRODUCTION. OF THE: ....
UNITED STATES
SPECIAL TO THE MAIL.

SPECIAL TO THE MAIL.
Washington, Oct. 6.-The output
Of natural asphalt, related bitumens,
and bituminous rock lthat entered
the market from quarries and mines
In the United States in 1908, togeth-
er with refined asphalt produced
from the crude" material, was 1885,
392 short tons, valued at $1,8S9,S81
as compared with 223,861 tons val
ned at $2,S26,489. in 1907. The
largest item in the 1908 output was
oil asphalt. which amounted to 1922
281 tons, valued at $1,322,6I6; this
also showed g. DECREASE from the
1907 output. Bituminous rock
(3T,371 tons; valued at $t46,821), ;
gilsonite NS,533 tons, valued at
$61, 824), and maltha (12,875 tons,
valued at ,$162,000) were next in
order of Importance.
Imports and Exports.
The imports of asphalt in 1908,
mainly from the island Of Trinidad
but in part from Bermudez (Vene-
Zuela), Cuba, Germany, Italy, Mex
leo, and a few other countries, were
161, G74 tons, valued at $624,979.
8
80, 1908, domestic asphalt and man
ufactured asphaltic material to the
value Of $451,968 were exported
from the United States, an increase
Of about 20 per cent over the exports
in 1907.
Report by Geological Survey.
The foregoing figures are taken
from report by J. A. Taft, of the
United States Geological Survey, just
issued as an advance chapter from
mineral resources Of the. United
States, calendar year 1908" This
report, a copy Of which can be had
free on applying to the Director Of
the Survey at Washington, contains,
In addition to statistics Of produc-
ton, notes on the occurrence and
uses Of these materials.
The term asphalt, as commonly
used, denotes the various forms Of
bitumen or mineral pitch found in
nature or produced by refining pro-
cesses. An essential property Of as
Dhalt so defined is that it melts at
temperatures near that of boiling.
water; this property makes 1t avail
able for use in various Industries.
Natural asphalt Is not known in the
United States IN sufficient quantity
to warrant exploitation at present,
though it is widely distributed in
the California oil fields. Certain
crude petroleums in California, Tex
as, Kansas and oklahoma contain
considerable quantities Of asphalt in
solution, the proportion rising to
more than 35 per cent In some oils.
Gilsonite, grahamite, and other hard
bituDlens are found in several Of
the Western States, notably Utah
aud Oklahoma Bituminous rock,
including all kinds Of rock that con-
tain an appreciable quantity of as
phalt or bitumen tntermingled with
the rock PARTICLES, occurs in Cali
fOrnta, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Ken
lucky and Wyoming.
The natural asphalt imported
from Trinidad and Bermudez sup
plies O. large part Of the paving ma
terial used In the United States. Oil
asphalt, when properly made In the
process Of distillation Of asDhaltfo
oils, is free from earthly substances
commonly carried by. natural asphalt
and, though hampered by freight
charges, is brought to the eastern
markets in large quantities. Btu
minous rock is used chiefly for paw
ing. The other important uses Of
asphalt products are in waterproof
ing metals, papers and fabrics, in
roofing, electric installations, wood
preservation, brick and wood block
filing, concrete construction, coal
briNuetting, adulterating hard rub
her, etc. Gilsonite and grahamite
are also especially adaptable for use