Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-07
English Salt Industry
Controlled by Union.

Controlled by Union. nnion which
includes practically all Of the salt oper-
ators. Most English salt is secured from
natural brine by modern scientific process
and its quality is recognized throughout
the world Much of the German salt
comes from native mines owned by the
government or by members of the nobil-
ity. The government does not exercise
monopoly in the salt industry. but the
product manufactured by private firms is
subject TO taxation. In Italy salt man
Ifactare is under the direction OF the gov
eminent with the exception of that pro-
duced in Sicily. Salt is such a luxury in Italy
that the poorer people use it sparingly.
even in seasoning their food In Holland
the salt is not controlled by the govern
nent, and thirty-three salt refneries pro-
duce for domestic use about 12sthD,O 900
pounds annually. Until recently no for
eign salt was allowed in China. Now a
small importation is permitted for the
use Of the foreign residents who find the
coarse native salt unfit for table use. The
Japanese government controls the salt
industry In that country.
About 81, 100000 barrels of salt are pro-
duced annually in the United States. the
value OF which is nearly S9.UO0.to0. This
includes five grades known in trade as
table or dairy. common fine. common
coarse, packers and solar. Most of this
comes from fifteen states. New York
being recognized as the leading salt
state with Michigan second. The gov
eminent record of the New York salt
product combines ii with that of Louis
lana. The amount for the two states ex
ceeds 11.0O.O0O barrels valued at So
JN,WD. Michigan's salt yield last year
approximately 1OO0O.O0G barrels so that
she may head the list OF the next salt
report. The recent development of the
salt industry in Louisiana has already
given an estimated Yield OF 2.C00,OtN
barrels, which leaves only 9.WO.UD for
New York
The salt resources of Louisiana are
now controlled by two rival corporations
each of whom insists UPON preserving a
strict secrecy regarding its output. If
the salt production OF the state We're
given either corporation by deducting its
own production could readily know the
amount produced hy the rival firm. 1t
Is the policy ri tine government officials
who compile reports To preserve all trade
condolences. Consequently. while elab-
crate descriptions are given regarding
the methods Of salt mining prevalent in
Louisiana. no figures as to its output
are obtainab BILE.
The New York salt industry is the old
est in this country. Syracuse has been
salt center
New York Industry since 17e7.
Oldest in America. , wen" =, 'a ars
sunk as deep as 3Oo feet. and the brine
pumped from them is manufactured into
salt either by solar or artificial evapor-
alton. In Louisiana the salt is mined
after the most efficient methods known
TO modern science. The location of the
first shaft of the larger mine made
in 1898. BY 1902 tpo-foot level had been
reached. Mining is carried on there by
blasting out masses OF rock salt on the
level with the floor and then cutting
down layer by layer. The drills are
worked by compressed air furnished from
power house outside. The mine is
lighted by electric light and contains
a yentilating equipment. The salt is con-
veyed to the shaft in small cars drawn
by mules over a narrow gauge steel track
similar to those used in northern coal
mines. The capacity OF this mine is said
to he $50 tons per ten-hour day.
Salt is distributed in two forms-in
brine, such as il found in the Syracuse
salt wells and in rocks. such as are
mined in louisiana. Sometimes both
forms are found in the same or adjoin-
ing localities. The Michigan industry
produces salt from each of these two
sources. In addition TO mining rock salt
in Michigan artificial brine is made by
bringing fresh water in contact with it.
When this water has become saturated
with salt it is brought TO the surface
and evaporated. Natural brine also oc-
ours plentifully in some parts OF Michi-
gan. In Ohio the natural brine pools are
sufficient 10 make il the third salt state
OF this country.
The salt resources of Utah are mos,
Interesting Great Salt lake is approx
mately 2.2J
Great Salt Lake square miles
Has Immense Supply. esnsins IN,
Dead sea, II Is believed to be the denses
body of water in the world. Its water II
five or SIX times salty sea water
This salt is obtained by solar evapora
aion. Until recently rather primitive
methods were used, but considerable i'm
provement is now being made. Two &C
tive seasons are required for Utah sal
production. The pumping season begin
3n May, when the water from the LAX
Is pumped into great wooden fumes
" hich carry IL to the ponds. mile o
more away About 900 or 5000 gallon
q minute are pumped during a ten-hou
day. There are three sets of ponds
The settling pond Is the first into whicl
the water is run, and il remains her
about ten days. All cinders and foreigl
substances are removed and Its salt,