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APRIL, 24, Igo2. THE MARINE RECORD. COMBINATIONS AND LAKE IRON MINING. In regard to the industrial consolidations which have been made during the past three years, the mineral commis- sioner of Michigan, Mr. Russell, says in his report for the year. “The process of consolidation’ which was begun some years ago, and which reached an acute stage in 1899 and tooo, has fitially arrived at a point where the greater number of the best mines of all five rariges have beett consolidated in the hands of the United States Steel Corporation. A few of the jtidependent mines remain in active Operation, and these niay be divided into two classes —the sinall properties, of comparatively. trifling or doubt- ful value, practically all of which can be secured by the United States Steel Corporation whenever desired, by the payment of the fair prices, and a'second class comprising a very few mining companies of .the first rank, such as the Cleveland Cliffs; Lake Angeline, and several others. In the case of the large mines which yet remain outside of the all-embracing grasp of ‘thé United States’ Steel Corpora- ticn,.it is'eminently a case of survival of the fittest. The lines that remain independent producers on a considerable scale are without exception properties that in addition to possessing large and valuable ore bodies have been man- aged with great skill and prudence. The shortsighted con- cerns are out of business and what were once their mines are now in the hands’ of the ‘trust.’ ’ The far-seeing people who were not satisfied to remain in a rut, but planned and acted for the future are the ones who remain in the busi- ness, and in their case they have little to fear from the gigantic corporation that so effectually dominates the iron and steel industry. whe, “The advent of the great steel corporation into a field where it is obvious that there will remain room for only the sturdiest or smallest of independent competitors, has naturally been regarded with feelings of consternation by the great majority of operators outside of the fold. It is realized, however, that the development of such a colossus is merely the natural outcome of the trend of industrial evolution, and nothing will be gaitied by grumbling or eti- deavoring to resist the logic of events. “The sentiments with which the United States Steel Corporation are regarded by those interested in the Lake Superior mining industry are scmewhat mixed, according to whether the company has hurt or helped the individual, but the general opinion is that only time can demonstrate whether the organization of the company inures to the benefit or detriment of the district as a whole. It is ob- vious that there are certain advantages, and disadvantages as well, which are inherent in such a combination of the major part of the great iron mines of the lake district. “Among the advantages, which are no slight ones, labor should be insured steadier employment than would be ossible under the old plan of many independent owners. he dominance of the United States Steel ;Cotporation in the industrial world should also give a greater: stability to the iron trade in all its branches, and it is undeniable that the iron. industry in the past has been a somewhat erratic one, periods of famine alternating with those of plenty. From the nature of things it is impossible that the demand for iron and its product can remain at any constant ratio with population or wealth, but the acute phases of depres- sion and ‘booms’ may be greatly modified by having the industry effectually dominated by a single management. “The most obvious disadvantage of this combination of the leading mines in the hands of a single corporation is the elimination of the scores of independent companies en- gaged in the business of: mining iron ore, and the appalling discouragements fronting the men of small means who de- sire to engage in the iron mining industry. There is still a limited field for the independent operator unbacked by millions, but it’ is a circumscribed one. few men of ability as finaciers and miners can find some return for their knowledge and capital in mining the silicious ores ased as sweeteners for the fine-grained Mesaba ores, and in operating small mines, becoming the gleaners, so to speak of the iron mining field. The few remaining inde- pendent corporations having large mines, experience, and capital at their command, can remain active producers ona considerable scale, but, given the aggressive policy which tan alone assure success to the United States Steel Cor- poration, it is certain that the number of large independent 3.F. HOD producers will become smaller, rather than increase, owing to the occasional’ absorption of such properties by their great competitor. The attraction of gravitation, which rules in the mining as well as in the physical world, will work to the aggrandizement of the greater at the expense of the lesser bodies. : “By the process of natural selection, the United States Steel Corporation has gathered in its employ many—per- haps a majority—of the best mining men of the five Lake Superior iron ranges. They are experienced men, who have earned their advancement by hard and effective work in practically every case. For the reason that the man- agement of the mines has been left in thoroughly experi- enced hands, the mining-industry is moving along without friction, and the thorough systematization of the business should result in considerable economies—and in this con- nection may be stated that the saving of so apparently in- . significant a sum as a single cent upon the cost of produc- ing each ton of iron ore would result ina gross saving of nearly $200,000 per annum on the present total produc- tion of iron ore by Lake Superior mines. “A disadvantage of consolidation that will present itself to all thoushtful minds is the making of ‘one man towns,’ of the various cities and villages where iron is mined. This disadvantage is evidently one which could and may occur. There is, however, a broadening effect about the conduct of large enterprises which makes for a wider grasp of sociological matters on the part of those in power. It must be said for the United States Steel Corporation that in the few months of its existence it has furnished steady em- ployment at high wages to armies of men in the various mining centers of Michigan and Minnesota, and that evi- dences of dissatisfaction on the part of employes are few and far between. ‘hat this state of affairs may continue permanently is greatly to be wished.’’-—From Mines and Minerals, for April. or NOTES. In Maine a launching was:marked by the throwing of a large bunch of roses at the vessel as it slid down the ways. This ceremony seems like an effort to save the good wine which is usually spilled on such occasions. Away with such innovations. ARCHAEOLOGICAL investigations in Rhodesia, which re- veal traces of extensive mining in ancient times, have re- sulted in the theory that the country taking its name from Cecil Rhodes was, if not Ophir, perhaps the land Havilah, “a land where there is gold,’ whence came the precious metals for the adornment of Solomon’s temple. WirtHIn three years four shipyards have been established in Eastern Connecticut—The Eastern Shipbuilding Co., at New London, where the largest steamships in the world, for the Great Northern Steamship Co., are nearing com- pletion; the Riverside Shipyard, on the ‘Thames river, north of New London, where the Thames ‘Towboat Co., owners, will build a large ferryboat and an ocean-going tug; the Holmes Ship Building Co., at West Mystic, where the first five-master built south of Maine, the Jennie R. Dubois, was lately launched; and now the McDonald yard at Mystic. Of launch building shops and gasoline motor works there have been established in this time at least a dozen. SHIPBUILDING bounties of an extraordinary character are contemplated by the Russian Government. Particu- lars of the scheme, formulated for presentation to the Council of the Empire in a bill, have been made public. The object of the measure is to encourage Russian ship- building and its allied manufactures. The details of the proposed bountying arrangement are almost incredible, contrasting by their novelty with the conditions adopted by France and projected in the United States. . The Rus- sian Government is in the first place to advance to the ship- owner by way of loan, without interest, 50 per cent. of the price of a vessel built in Russia, the loan to be paid off in twenty years. sian Goverment will insure a vessel built within the Em- pire for three-fourths of her value at the perfectly nor- minal rate of premium of 2 per cent. per annum. In addition to this liberal bounty the Rus- The H. W. Johns-Manville Co., 100 William street, New York, have just issued a neat pamphlet on their new “Key- stone Hair Insulator,” covered by U. S. and foreign patents. A number of valuable testimonials vouch for the efficiency of the manufacture. Government Proposals. U. §S. Encrnerr Office, Jones Building, Detroit, Mich. April 19. 1902. Sealed proposals for dredging, and other work required for removing obstructions to navigation in main ship channel in Detroit river, will be received here until 12 noon, (Standard time), May t1oth, 1902, and then publicly opened. Information furnished on application. W. H. Brxsy, Major, Eners. 17-20 TREASURY Department, U. S. Life-Sav- ing Service, Washington, D. C., April 19. 1902. Sealed proposals will be received at this office until 2:00 o’clock p. m., of Tues- day, May 6, 1902, and then publicly opened, for the construction of a wharf for the Old Chicago Life-Saving Station, Chicago, IIl- inois. Specifications and drawings, forms of proposal, etc., can be obtained upon ap- plication to the Superintendents of Con- struction of Life-Saving Stations, 17 State Street, New York City; Assistant In- spector 12th Life-Saving District, Room 543. Rand-McNally Building, Chicago, Ill- inois, or to this office. I, Krmpatu, General Superintendent. 31 inch dtam- FOR SALES 2": stroke, arranged for direct connection, in good condition, taken from S. S. Manitou to be re-placed by a larger one. Also one hoisting engine 12 inch cylinder made by Chas. Elmes, never been used. Above can be seen at Chicago Ship Building Co.’s yard, South Chicago. Inquire of MANITOU S. S. CO., Chicago. One Air Pump re Oe MARVELOUS|p THE NEW BAUSCH & LOMB-ZEISS STERE Binocular Glasses. Used by the Armies and Navies of the World. Invaluable for Tourists, Sportsmen and Every-day Use. Booklet Free. Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester, N. Y. New York. hicago. 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