Asbestos Magazine, 1919

Johns-Manville's notes

1. July 1919, p. ? summary p. 3

   First issue of Asbestos magazine published.

2. Aug. 1919, pp. 5-6 summary p. 3

   Asbestos Textiles - "Never in this branch of the industry has there been such great activity … No satisfactory substitute has been or is likely to be found for Asbestos metallic brake-band lining, and the needs for high-pressure packing increase daily. The United States Navy will require about 350,000 pounds of Asbestos packing in the next six months … The thing most needed in this department is the establishment and maintenance of standards of quality, weight, texture, etc. … all other generally comparable industries are fully standardized - WHY NOT THIS ONE?"

3. Sept. 1919, p. 16 summary p. 3

   Shipyards Consolidate - "Formal merging of the Chester Shipbuilding Co. with the Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation under the name of the latter has just been announced. Both properties have been under the same ownership, with identical officers, and the present consolidation is essentially a reorganization of management. The Merchant yard, one of the three original Government agency yards, is located at Bristol, Penna., and has twelve building ways. The Chester yard, at Chester, Penna., is an expansion from the old yard of John Roach, the oldest steel shipyard in the country; it has been building ships on seven ways."

4. Oct. 1919, p. 19 summary p. 3

   Magmeric - The Magnesia Association's Ship - The launching of the 8700-ton merchant ship "MAGMERIC," (a contraction of "Magnesia Association of America.") on September 23, at Hog Island, Pa., "fittingly commemorated the service rendered by the Magnesia manufacturers during the war." During the war period, 90% of the output of the four companies comprising that association was used directly or indirectly in government work. 85% Magnesia is used by the Navy Department in every ship built; 85% Magnesia insulated the steam lines of the large munition factories; 85% Magnesia lagged the boilers of the locomotives used to transport our supplies in France, etc. (Note: See page 24 of Jan. 1920 issue for list of members of the Magnesia Assoc.).

5. Oct. 1919, p. 29 summary p. 4

   "H.W. Johns-Manville Company, New York, has commenced excavating for a large plant in Waukegan, Illinois. No contracts have been let for the building itself, as the type of construction and the specifications have not been fully decided upon."

6. Oct. 1919, p. 29 summary p. 4

   A manufacturer recently set a maximum of 15% cotton to be used in Asbestos textiles after a customer requested cloth containing 30%. "…his action has been heartily approved by Asbestos textile manufacturers generally."

7. Oct. 1919, p. 30 summary p. 4

   "A rule of law governing an employer's liability for injuries to employees, is that a worker assumes all risk of injury which are naturally to be appreciated by him, considering his experience and ability to discern the dangers, but that he does not assume risks not appreciated by him because of his inexperience and their latent character. - From U.S.S. Court Decision."

8. Nov. 1919, p. 6 summary p. 4

   85% Mag - Demand increasing due to marked increase in shipbuilding. "Contracts are being let by many private corporations for a large number of good-sized ships for the transportation of their products, and the whole shipping situation promises a great need for 85% Magnesia pipe and boiler covering."

9. Nov. 1919, p. 20 summary p. 4

   The Pennsylvania Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau has completed its work on the revision of compensation rates in Pennsylvania to take effect with amendments to the present compensation act January 1, 1920. The specific report applying to the Asbestos Textile Industry is being prepared and will be published at a very early date.

10. Dec. 1919, p. 4 summary p. 4

    85% Mag - A year ago, "we were still in the period of war activity, ships were being built in unprecedented numbers … few cancellations had been made by the government."

11. Dec. 1919, p. 18 summary p. 4

    "… I doubt there ever will be a limit to the uses to which Asbestos products are put. The new uses developed during the war, some secret, some widely known, demonstrated that fact."

12. Dec. 1919, p. 25 summary p. 4

    "Chester Shipbuilding Co., Chester, Pa., is considering the erection of a new drydock on the Delaware River, with shop and ship construction facilities to cost about $2,000,000."

13. Dec. 1919, p. 25 summary p. 5

    The Pennsylvania Legislature greatly changed the law governing workmen's compensation. Copies of the original law are now obsolete.

14. Dec. 1919, p. 25 summary p. 5

    The United States Shipping Board has contracts in Japan for the building of thirty steamers calling for the payment to Japanese shipyards of about $43 million.