The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-09-10
EMBREEWLLE ZINC
ATTRACTING ATTENTION

The zinc operations at Embreeville
have taken ON larger proportions with
in the past few weeks with the Leon
ard Construction Company, of Chica-
go, in charge of these operations. A
number of representatives of the above
company are already on the grounds
and have employed a large number OF
men who will have charge of getting
out the zinc.
erect at once a large building in which
will be installed smelter which will
be used in separating the zinc from
the iron which is found in the ore at
that place.
A report by the U. S. geological sur
vey indicates that the outlook for the
zine industry in the United States is
very optimistic. This, therefore, fov-
orably affects Johnson City and Wash
ington county, in which zinc opera
tions will become quite extensive.
Since the establishment of the zinc
plant at Mascot, the industry has be-
gun to grow in great proportions in
East Tennessee. 1t is asserted that
the outlook is favorable for fortunes
to be made in East Tennessee zinc
operations, the one at Embreeville be-
ing destined to be one of the greatest
in the United States.
The federal survey report referred
to indicates that zinc production in
Germany Belgium, Hungary
France and Spain, which countries
are among the largest producers in
the world is now practically cut off
on account of the European war. This
therefore, greatly increases the mar
ket afforded to zinc operations in the
United States. The government re-
port shows that in 1918 Germany pro-
duced 289,S72 short tons; Belgium,
217,92S short tons; France and Spain,
1929 short tons; and Austria-Hun-
gary, 23,92S short tons. In the United
States the zinc smelling capacity in
1913 was 346,676 short tons, and the
apparent consumption only 295,370,
leaving surplus of 51,306 short tons.
Discussing the foreign market, the
survey report says: This country
u. 81 has the opportunity to fur
nish the major portion of 100000 tons
of spelter year as long as the war
lasts, together with whatever part of
the trade of southern continents and
Asia it can acquire"
1t is shown that Great Britain is
importing 100000 tons of spelter In
addition to $4,000 tons manufactured
in its own shelters. Any expansion
of the British trade, therefore, sug-
gests that it would "entail the i'm
portation of more spelter from the
United States"
The government authority says "the
first demands will naturally come
from Great Britain" on account of the
European zinc supply being greatly
reduced If not cut off entirely on the
continent, and according to reports,
the British demand has begun already.
The view is taken that by the time
the war closes American zinc should
have obtained permanent foothold'
in European and South American and
Asiatic markets, Sufficient to take
care of the surplus smelter capacity
in the United States"
This report, together with the, pat
ent fact that the Embreeville zinc
plant is largely increasing its opera
tons. is very gratifying indeed to
East Tennessee. 1t means an impetus
to the zinc industry in this section,
and zinc is now being found in many
counties of East Tennessee. 1t is pre-
iicted that the early future will see
more activities in developments of
ateiit zinc deposits, as men engaged
N these operations are now encour-
ICED by the upword tendency Of zinc
1alues.
AS the zinc industry grows in the
United States. II is expected that It'll.
viii have proportionats deyeIop-
nent in this section. all OF which will
aid business in Johnson City