The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
'GRASTY TELLS OF
 BIRMINGHAM ORE
Valuable Lands Not Owned
 by Steel Corporation
IS WIDELY SCATTERED
Mining Expert of University of Vir- ginia Says Southern Ore Worth More Than Heretofore Rated.
 Morgan May Testify
By WALTER HARPER

Washington, March o.-(Speclal. )-Prof J. $. Grasty of the University of Virginia. and who Is well known in the Birmingham district, appeared before the Stanley com mittee of the House engaged in the in- vestigation of the so-called Steel trust to- day.
 Mr Grasty was called by the committee to tell what he knew of the iron ore prop critics of the Birmingham district and especially as 10 the amount of available ores that are not now held by the United States Steel corporation and other com panies operating in the district.
 Made Exhaustive Study
 Mr. Grasty testified that he had re- gently made an exhaustive investigation of the ores of the district with the view to ascertaining just the question asked by the committee. He said that while there are some valuable ore properties not under the control of the large com panies now operating, they were widely scattered and In such a way that they could be made of little utility to any inde- pendent furnace concern.
 MT. Grasty took occasion to bring out a point that will be of interest to Bir- ingham people That is that from metallurgic and scientific analysis, the Alabama or southern ores arc worth rela- lively more than they have heretofore been rated.
 He said: "On the basis of efficiency and cost of production the southern or Bir- mingham district ores are worth three tha cf.ia In x.,,f fcf, they are produced. as are the Lake Su- perior ores worth in the district in which they are produced. In other words, if the Lake Superior ores are worth s1 the southern ores are worth 75 cents in their respective districts.
 Defines Advantages
 Mir Grasty defined the advantage of the southern ores in that they contain the limestone and other ingredients that are necessary to convert them into pig. The Lake Superior ores have but little or no lime, and this has to be added, some times at great expense.
 Professor Grasty said the ore fields con- tain both iron and coal in rich quanti- ties. and extended for 60 miles north and south, and nearly as great distance east and west.
 As the investigation of the Steel trust, which has,been in progress for 10 months. was about to end today republican mem- bers of the committee suggested that J. Pierpont Morgan, Henry Phipps and Henry C. Prick should be called as wit nesses The suggestion was made in executive session and Representatives Young of Michigan and Gardner of Mas sachusetts expressed the opinion that these men should be called.
 Wants Ore Experts
 MT Young also wanted summoned Don H. Brown and Joseph Sellwood of Du- luth and Thomas F. Cole of St. Peters burg, Fla, who areAre experts. Because the appropriation iS exhausted for the investigation and the House has been asked to allow the committee s4OO0 more the committee decided to take final action next Tuesday on the further subpoenaing of witnesses. By that time it is expected the House will have approved an addi- tional appropriation.
 Mir. Morgan and MT. Prick are known to be out of the country and the com nittee is divided on the idea of con tinung the hearings open until they return.
 Representative Stanley. chairman of the committee said today he would be glad to have MT Morgan appear before the committee, but he did not believe his attendance could be assured as Mir Morgan was abroad" and out of the Jurisdiction of the commlttea