The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-17
Electro Metals
Arn,or Plate

G. w. Kellogg. manager OF the MIS-
sissippi River Power company, was I'M
able to be present, being away from
town on business, and N. T. WILCOX,
sales manager for the company, took
Mr.. kellogg's place On the program
Mr.. Wilcox spoke especially OF the
Electro Metals plant and the fact that
certain alloys used in armor plate
manufacture were being manufactured
here or could be manufactured locally
Mr.. Wilcox said:
AS I have been sitting here tonight
in this fine Hotel Iowa dining room IN
the midst OF this large and interested
gathering OF boosters for greater
Keokuk, my mind has wandered Dach
over the last short six years to my
first visit to Keokuk in December.
1910. My first impressions were far
different from those that would be re-
ceived by stranger coming to keo-
kuk today 4
In 1910 found poor hotel accommo-
dations, poor streets. poor street light
ing running on 4 half -ttme schedMle.
moor gas service, Indifferent street car
service, and electric light service not
only poor but Of limited capacity and
supporting a rate nearly double that
now, charged for unlimited service Sec
90
ond to none.
At that time the Chicago. Burlington
e. Quincy railroad instead OF giving us
the present convenient service OF To-
cal sleepers shutting directly between
Chicago and Keokuk, compelled us TO
get out OF warm sleepers at burning
ton in the early morning hours to
catch the local for Keokuk.
The inadequate bridge between Keo-
kuk and Hamilton at that time was
serious handicap for business develop
ment on both sides Of the river.
Some trenching had been done on
the Illinois side of the river and the
quarry was partially opened up. There
was no dam, no power house, no trans
mission lines.
We have only to look about us to see
what great changes have been brought
tabout during the short period of SIX
years.
Mr.. McFarland's figures. which show
such a remarkable development ana
variety Of new and basic industries es-
|tablished, mean much more than ap-
pears on the face of this statement.
Together with the changes cited they
mean that in spite of former losses
Keokuk has at last got good sound
start.
High Grade Zinc.
The River Smelling & Refining
company, one of those new Industries.
10 producing and marketing the highest
grade Of commercial zinc. product
necessary for the manufacture OF brass
used in government munitions manu-
facture. This zinc, because OF Its SUI
perior quality, commands the top notch
price and commands market when
poorer material is a drug.
United Lead Company
The hard lead product now manu-
featured by the United Lead company
in their new works near the River
Smelling G. Refining company, is pre-
emfnently Keokuk product.
Standard Four tires are already well
and favorably known throughout the
surrounding country and will be still
better known.
Keokuk cement mixers are not only
well known but are also standard
utensil where Portland cement is
used.
keokuk EIectro-MetaIs Company.
Last but by no means least, is the
keokuk Electro Metals company fer
rosilicon made possible by Iowa power
and silica rock, This is a product
which must be used wherever good
steel is made.
Other ferro alloys such as are re-
guired for the production OF armor
plate will soon be available here for
use in the manufacture of defensive
armor for our country. Just today we
have been able to favorably answer
queries from the naval department by
stating that these alloys will be avail
able at Keokuk and without any
freight charges because the goods are
made or to be made in the near fu.
ture right here In Keokuk.
Process Of Manufacture.
For the information OF many who
are not familiar with the process OF
manufacture, I would say that ferro-
-