The Nenana daily news., 1918-04-27
PRODUCE METALS IS LANE SLOGAN
 LET SHIPS FREE

ships to take food and supplies 10 our men in France, can ia a degree be met without waiting upon the con- struction of new ships. has beer out lined by Secretary of the interior Lane. With ton of shipping more valuable than perhaps can be calcu- lated in the present emergency, Sec retary Lane proposes that American mines be developed to their fullest capacity at once, especially in the production of those minerals essen- tial to war making, and that ships that have been bringing to these shores 2,000,000 tons of these mln- erals be released at once for caking food and supplies to France
 Can Supply War Materials
 American mines, in the opinion of Secretary Lane, can supply all these essential war minerals if they are given the proper opportunity and assistance by the Federal Govern ment
 "At the present time" said Sec retary Lane, "every ship that can be spared is badly needed to extend our military operations in France The minerals which we can supply and which are imported came from many distant sources, involving long voyages and delays in loading These minerals represent an import of about 100000 long tons per year, three fourths of which can be eliminated in case of extreme necessity. Every additional day spent in the submarine zone is not only dangerous but un- necessary. In addition to the sacri- flee of ships, the importation of bulky minerals congests our ports and exhausts our credit in the pur- chase of supplies abroad.
 "The importation of these min- erals involves not only the diversion of ship tonnage from military ser vice, but also requires that this coun- try furnish fuel equipment, and sup plies to the foreign mines producing these minerals and also the trans portation to those countries of other products which they demand in re- turn for their minerals.
 Minerals Most Needed.
 'The minerals to which I refer are the most important materials for the manufacture of munitions. In fact, their importance is far greater than either their tonnage value would in dicate. The two fundamental ma- terials in the production of all mod ern high-power explosives are nitrate chiefly as nitric acid, and concen- trated sulphuric acid made from pyrite or sulphur. Manganese is the most essential alloy for high-grade steel for munitions and important industrial uses. Flaked graphite is used for crucibles required in the production of brass and crucible steel. Tin is required for tinplate for utensils and cans for preserving food and bearing mineral. Mercury IS used as illuminate to explode cartridges and shells, and is essen- tial for the safe and effective use of all high explosives. Potash is chief ly used for fertilizer with smaller amounts for explosives, soap, glass and chemicals. Tungsten is an es- sential alloy for high-speed tool steel. Anthony is required for hardening lead and bullets Chro- mite is used to make an alloy for steel going into armor-plate, armor piercing projectiles, tool steel, and as a refractory lining in open-hearth steel furnaces. Magnesite is used as refractory in metallurgicai plants. Mica is indispensable as an insulating material in the manufac- ture of electrical apparatus.
 Aid Asked of Conxres.
 American mines can produce all of these minerals provided they are given the necessary assistance of the Federal Government. have, there fore, asked congress to make a spe- cial appropriation so that a large force of metallurgists can be set to