The border vidette., 1930-11-22
in this interesting field. Pro

in this interesting field. Pro
blems of mite subsidence and
mine ventilation we're studied.
The bureau con tinued to take
an active part in the technologlc
progress of the matallurgical
industry. seeking TO focus atten
tion upon wasteful or ficient
practices, pointing out improve
ments, and obtaining the coope
ration of producers in adopting
better methods and putting into
use more efficient devices. The
bureau is providing fundamental
matallurgical data, which are
vital to the progress of maIal
lurgy. Studies in the mlcros
copy of ores are affording infor
nation highly valuable in the
treatment of the complex ores
Of the intermountain region.
New light is being thrown on
the metallurgy Of copper, spe
cial attention being given to
teaching problems. Practical
help in the solution of their diff
cult milling problems is being
extended to the lead and zinc
operators of the Mississippi Val
ley. Other studies of import
ance deal with the crushing and
grind of ores, and fotation fun
damentals. Studies looking to
ward the development of a do
mestic chromite industry are ia
progress.
The bureau has continued it's
studies designed to provide valu
able fundamental data on the
smelling of iron ores. Progress
was made in the effort to deve
lop methods for the profitable
recovery of the manganese con
tent of the low grade mangani
ferrous iron ores Of northern
Minnesota and for the beneficial
tion Of various types of low-gra.
de manganese ores, With the ul
innate object of making availa
BILE domestic supplies Of this ma
terial, essential in the manufac
ture of steel and therefore a
commercial and military neces
sity. Studies of the physical
chemistry Of steel making. de
signed to eliminate unscientific
and wasteful practices. we're
continued. Experience gained
in the iron blast furnace inves
LEGATIONS is being utilized in a
study of the lead blast furnace.
matter of great Importance to
the lead industry. a
Considerable attention is be
ing given to problems in the min
ing, treatment and utilization of
the numerous important nonme.
tallic minerals, used to an enorm
Gus extent in general construc
ton and engineering enterpris
ses. Special attention was Civ
en- to the problems affecting the
phosphate, kaolin, mica, and
other industries. New process
ses devised for the utilization
for fertilizer purposes of poly
halite, found in large quantities
in New Mexico and Texas in the
bureaus potash exploration pro
gram, give promise of success.
The bureau continued the stu
dy of the problems of the great
petroleum and natural gas indus
tries with a view to the 1evelop
ment of more efficient methods
of production, transportation. re
6ning and utilization of the pro
ducts. obtained from these valu
able natural resources. Special
attention is being given to vari.
Gus processes looking toward
the recovery of larger percent
age of oil in underground depo
sits, matter of great impor:
tance when it is realized that on.
ly about 20 per cent Of the oil in
such deposits is now recovered.
By conducting special engineer.
ing studies of important oil pro
ducing fields. the bureau is as
sisting operators in their efforts
to control underground waters
that threaten the continuance OF
successful development. Stu.
dies are being conducted look
ing toward the reduction Of the
enormous evaporation losses OF
petroleum and gasoline that oc
cur annually. Problems affect
ting the flow of natural gas
through pipe lines and the gaug
ing and controlling OF natural
gas wells are also being studied.
Valuable information regarding
the characteristics Of represent
o+ivo cruHo 0ila from diffornnt