The Delta independent., 1920-12-17
GEORGE STEPHAN LAUNCHES
sSCHEME TO MAKE CEMENT

Lieutenant George Stephan, of Del
ia, is ever at work on matters per-
tanning to the betterment of the state
| and according to the following arti-
Gle taken from the Denver Post, he
would have the state own its own
| cement works and have the prod ct
used exclusively for the pyrpose
of improving state highways:
Headed by Lieut. Gov. Stephan and
Warden Tom lyman of the state pen
itentiary, group OF good roads en-
thusiasts has inaugurated a movement
to bring about the erection of mo-
dern cement factory, to be operated
by trustees of the penitentiary, upon
land owned by the penitentiary. the
output of the factory to be used ex-
| clusively by the state in the ,onstrac-
| ton of hardsurface roads, bridges and
| culverts. The men behind the scheme
say that saving of several hundred
| thousand dollars to the state will be
effected by the manufacture of ce-
| ment by the convicts.
Figures submitted by James Ma
loney, chief engineer of the state high
/ way toliIlIllSSlODy W lieutenant lOV-
ernor Stephan Thursday show that
the state and counties used approx
mately 10000 barrels of cement in
building concrete roads, bridges and
culverts during the year coming to
close. At IS barrel, his means IN
outlay of about s65OOO0 for cement
alone. IN 1921, Mr.. Maloney esti-
mates, about 10000 barrels will be
used.
1.-THE state penitentiary owns land
according to reports made by Warden
lyman to the lieutenant governor
upon which the lime stone rock out of
which cement is made is found. This
land is in the immediate vicinity of
the Canon City penitentiary, so that
the problem of housing the convicts
to be employed in state cement plant
would present no difficulties Prac.
tically the only expense in carrying
out the plan would be the purchase of
the michinary, the convicts construct
ing the necessary buildings.
Il have studied the feasibility of a
convict-operated, state-owned cement
plant for a number OF years and be-
lieve the time ripe to put the plan y TO
operation" said Lieutenant Governor
Stephan Friday. 'It would not rn!r
give a large number of convicts en-
ployment, but would reduce the cost
of concrete roads in this state enor-
mously. II the state manufactured
the cement used on highways, the
state road fund would be made to go
much further than now.
Cement is the chief item which
enters into the cost Of concrete high
ways. ! have been informed that the
manufacturing cost is but fraction
OF the sales price. Labor represents
the principal item Of cost Of the ce-
ment manufacturer With the state
using convices in its cement plant the
cost OF a barrel of cement to the state
would be far below that sf TIE Drt
vate manufacturer
Practically the only expense to the
state. after the plant has been erected
and equipped, would be the fuel I
am convinced that the convicts could
manufacture cement at a fraction of
the cost to the private manufacturer.
MY idea is to manufacture cement
for state uses only. The penitentiary
plant would not be in competition
with the privately-owned plants so
far as the general market is con-
cerned
The lieutenant governor and those
interested with him in the plan are
preparing a bill for introduction in
the general assembly next month.
This bill will provide for an appro-
priation for the erection of a cement
factory and its equipment. The men
behind the bill expect strong opposi-
tion from the manufacturers of ce
ment, but believe that the apparent
advantages Of the plan will appeal to
the senators and representatives and
that the bill will be enacted into a