Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-28
SCRAPP|NG POLICY
CONSERVES METAL
Manufacturers Save Money
by Retrieving Raw Mate
rails in Many Lines.

Industrial leaders in all lines In the
Omitted States have ceased to hesitate
about scrapping obsolete machinery
even though the machinery Is in per-
fectly sound condition and may have
been used only few months, If at all.
That policy, which even conservative
England is commencing to follow, has
unduestionably been advantageous and
profitable to manufacturers. On the
other hand, 1t has gone far toward put
ting the metal mining industry of the
country in an unfavorable statistical
position. This is due to the practice OF
feworking and retaining metals and
other materials.
Cars Being Scrapped.
The automobile industry has, perhaps,
taken a lead in this movement. Cars
are now being scrapped and the mate
rails in them reclaimed at an aStoniSh-
ing rate. The expense Is shared by the
dealer and the manufacturer. The lead
ing producer is said to allow his dealers
$40 on a scrap basis for old cars He
Il reported to retrieve over $14 Of this
$40 in used metals, which go right back
into the making of new cars. This does
not include iron and steel only. ALUMNI
mum, copper, lead. zinc, brass, babbit
metals, rubber, leather and lumber all
are so treated that they can be used
again.
The aviation industry is following the
same policy and this will increase the
stocks of metals as production grows,
since each plane normally outlaStS two
or three engines. The railroads have
produced regular departments for the
retaining Of salvaged materials, prin-
ctpaliy metals. The electric utilities
have been extremely active in the in
stallation Of new machinery and this
has accounted for large quantity Of
copper, lead, zinc, steel, iron, aluminium
and other metals.
The textile plants are doing the same
thing. The increase in the pace Of ma
chinery, - well Is Of travel and living
IN general, has accounted for the scrap
ping Of much material since the speed
ing up Of shafting and pulleys and other
transmission machinery has produced
capitalization and required replace
ments.
All these factors have been instru-
mental in holding down the require
mentS for new metals. As q result
the lead, silver and copper mines of
the country are on q reduced produc-
tdon basis and, even so, copper is the
only one on which prices have appar-
emily been stabilized.
Demand for Steel.
The demand for steel has been high
and so far this has nullifled the effects
of the steel and iron scrap produced,
especially as much of this material is
shipped out of the country. The low
price Of silver has led to the reworking
of old silver products, which are re-
melted and reformed into modern re-
eeptacleS and utensils.
The building materials, lumber, brick
steel, plumbing fixtures. radiators and
other equipment, have felt the compe-
tttion arising from the salvaging of ma
tertalS of this type as old buildings are
strapped and new ones erected.
The metals in themselves, however,
are developing new uses. For example,
metallized paper now is being used. The
paper is sprayed with an extremely thin
aim Of lead or copper which leaves it
flexible and foldable and still makes
Il difficult to tear and gives it long
wearing qualities.
Copyright, 1s3o.)