Evening star., 1938-12-25

gain of at least Is per cent in 1899,
and, with steel production possibly
continuing the forward movement,
foundries producing rolls and other
mill equipment should enjoy a great
er demand.
G. F. Nordenholt, editor. Product
Engineering-The year 1899 prom
lses to be one of the busiest that the
profession of engineering design has
experienced, because of develop
ments with reference to national de-
fense as well as Government
activities.
A number of manufacturers have
expressed the opinion that, by the
end of January. engineering activity
will be as great as it ever was in
1887 and that, by June of next year,
engineering departments will be op-
Grating at their peak.
Sidney D. Kirkpatrick, editor,
Chemical & Metallurgical Engineer
ing-Several novel chemical fibers
have recently been announced that
are superior to any existing forms
Of rayon or natural textile ma
terlals. Within the past three
months, approximately s25 900 900
has been appropriated for the con-
struction of new plants to make
these products available during 1899
Chemical industry, which in 1888
operated at approximately ITO per
cent of its 1885 average, is looking
forward to new advances in 1899.
All-time records may we'll be estab-
lished by plastics, rayon, synthetic
organic chemicals, and petroleum
products.
V. B. Guthrie, National Petroleum
News-The oil industry is regaining
its stride, at the close of 1888, from
the general slump of the early part
of this year, and indications are
for greatly improved position for
the industry in 1889, provided that
caution in the rate of operation of
refining plants is maintained during
the first quarter.
Increases are looked for in 1889
IN the domestic market for all
products. A decline of II to 20 per
cent in exports of crude oil in 1899
is anticipated, and this, together
with the fact that greater gasoline
yield will be obtained from the crude
run to stills, will make unnecessary
any material increase in oil produc-
ton.
Burnham Finney, editor. American
MISUNDERSTANDING influences are at
work to insure better machine tool
business in the first half of 1899
Automobile makers. now behind in
deliveries to dealers, should as
semDle cars in substantially larger
numbers. Steel operations should
be well supported by automotive
tonnage, by enlarged building con-
struction programs, and by users
making consumer goods Air
plane manufacture and shipbuild-
ing should prosper.
Large Army and Navy contracts
should aid many Woodworking
companies.
DR.. L. V. Burton, editor, Food
Industries-Given a year of average
weather, free from great extremes
i'll 1899, plus a reasonable stability
of current prices, the earnings Of
the majority of the food companies
will be moderate but satisfactory.
George H. Priest, jr., vice presi-
dent, American Paint Journal CO.
Observers who were encouraged in
the early fall to estimate an increase
of 10 per cent in the industry S
total volume in 1889 have revised
this estimate upward during the
past six weeks and are now looking
for an increase of IS per cent or
more.
S. B. Williams, editor, Electrical
World-Barring an unforeseen busi-
ness calamity. the indications are
that the power output during each
week of 1889 will be larger than
the same week for any previous
year. The increase in gross revenue
however, will not entirely reflect
the increase in power output be-
cause large part of the increase in
1899 will come from industrial load
which carries smaller revenue per
unit of output.
]. A. Gary, editor, Furniture Age
Because furniture production is SO