Asbestos Magazine, 1920

Johns-Manville's notes

1. Jan. 1920, pp. 19-23 summary p. 5

   In recollections of Col. Valleau - "oldest pipe covering man in the U.S.": 1865/66 - First sectional pipe covering was known as "Toupee", consisting of asbestos and silicate of soda, covered with canvas and held in place by bands. About a year later, 85% Mag appeared and has "held first place as an insulating material ever since." Compares past jobs with the recent work at Grand Central in NY, where approximately 900 miles of piping was covered, using about 500 carloads of 85% Mag.

2. Jan. 1920, p. 23 summary p. 5

   Arizona asbestos - Production of Arizona crude is active, about 250 men being employed at Globe. Important deposits are in the mountains about 40 miles northwest, where much long and high-grade fibre is produced. Preparations now are being made to utilize the shorter and poorer grades. Most Asbestos shipped from this point is said to go to the H.W. Johns-Manville Company.

3. Jan. 1920, p. 23 summary p. 5

   Charles F. Sloane developed most of the Asbestos ground thus far and has started development north of the Raybestos ground.

4. Jan. 1920, p. 24 summary p. 5

   Ad from Magnesia Assoc. of America for 85% mag. Lists members as: Philip Carey Co., Ehret Magnesia Mfg. Co., The Franklin Mfg. Co. and Keasbey & Mattison Co.

5. Jan. 1920, p. 25 summary p. 5

   Imports of Asbestos 1914-18 - fell off almost to the vanishing point, while exports increased several fold. Naturally, German, French and English shipments to us were greatly curtailed, while we increased our export trade with South and Central America largely at the expense of England and Germany.

6. Jan. 1920, p. 40 summary p. 5

   Bureau of the Census to publish inventory of manufacturing/ mining establishments. The last manufacturers census was issued in 1914.

7. Jan. 1920, p. 40 summary p. 6

   Bureau of Standards has requested $3 million appropriation, $250,000 of which is to investigate fire-resisting building materials, as well as stabilization of types of appliances for fire protection.

8. Jan. 1920, p. 40 summary p. 6

   British ship losses by submarine attack during the war totalled 2,479 vessels (almost eight million tons) plus 1,250,000 tons through ordinary marine losses.

9. Feb. 1920, p. 38 summary p. 6

   Arizona asbestos mine in Gila County employs about 250, most production going to H.W. Johns-Manville Co.

10. Feb. 1920, p. 38 summary p. 6

    Johns-Manville, Thermoid Rubber and Asbestos Brake Co., sued by M.C. Massi, et al to recover royalties on patented brake linings. A 1911 agreement, under which JM and Thermoid took asbestos brake lining licenses from Asbestos Brake Co. under a 10% royalty clause, form the basis of the litigation. It is alleged during the past nine years that the combined net business of the defendants amounted to $20 million.

11. Feb. 1920, p. 42 summary p. 6

    Coast Guard handled, loaded, shipped and delivered over 345,000 tons of high explosives from 06/13/17 to 06/30/19 through the port of NY without any accidents. Cabins in the barges were required to have partitions, floors, ceilings and walls covered with 1/4 inch asbestos board.

12. Mar. 1920, p. 10 summary p. 6

    "Asbestos in Apache County, Ariz." by Oliver Bowles, Bureau of Mines. Extensive deposit discovered, for a distance of at least 20 miles. However, it occurs on an Indian reservation, and the present law doesn't permit development of asbestos of unallotted Indian land. Dept. of Interior recommended that authority be granted, but favorable action was not taken by Congress. "In view of the present shortage of crude Asbestos fibre, new legislation permitting the development of deposits such as that described above seems highly desirable."

13. Mar. 1920, pp. 12-18 summary p. 6

    "Asbestos Trade in Germany", a translated account of the German asbestos industry's condition taken from Gummi-Zeitung and reprinted in its entirety (5 pages) from India Rubber Journal. Highlights: "For more than five years Asbestos and products made out of it have been liable to seizure and control. This regime has now ended. At the outbreak of the war it was necessary to introduce control, for in 1914 the amount of raw Asbestos in Germany was small. Very extensive supplies were necessary to meet the demands made by the Navy." Imports had entirely ceased except for an occasional consignment from Russia or a neutral country, which did not noticeably affect the situation. German asbestos did not meet the requirements, such as for spinning and packing." "Germany possesses nothing that can take the place of Canadian, African or Russian Asbestos, and contrary assertions are a direct travesty of the facts." Stocks of asbestos-containing goods will soon be depleted. Prices are of concern, as they are very high, especially with shipping cost, and the German mark "is in such a bad way". "At the outbreak of the war most of the Canadian mines stopped production or restricted it, but even in eight or nine months they regretted this, for although orders from Germany and Austria ceased for the time, new orders from Japan, Australia and even from Brazil, sprang up and large quantities of raw Asbestos and Asbestos fibre were required by them." Only a little more asbestos is produced in Canada today than was produced in 1913.

14. Mar. 1920, p. 31 summary p. 7

    Japanese Asbestos Market - Asbestos not produced within the Empire; all used must be imported. Gives import figures for 1917 and 1918. "Nearly 84% of the Asbestos imported in 1917 came from the United States."

15. Apr. 1920, pp. 6-7 summary p. 7

    Asbestos Gaskets described. U.S. Navy test for same described as follows: "If the gaskets will stand up under this test without showing signs of disintegration for a period of about 100 days they are considered as satisfactory."

16. Apr. 1920, pp. 18-20 summary p. 7

    "Asbestos in the War" - "When Uncle Sam set out to stay the forces of the 'Hun', one of his most able assistants was Asbestos." Lists following uses, among many: 1) Asbestos garb in chemical labs 2) Air Cell covering for heating pipes in cantonments 3) Packings and magnesia laggings on locomotives 4) 85% mag boiler covering in ships. "Otherwise they could not have been operated." 5) Packings in ships 6) In submarines 7) On airplanes 8) Gaskets on locomotives, ships and airplanes. "Without them the ships could not have attained their high degree of efficiency in steaming. Leaky tubes caused by defective gaskets would have exhausted the stokers and impaired the speed of the ship. In the form of low and high pressure packing for stuffing boxes, piston rods and valve spindles, no one, not even the Government, can calculate the value of Asbestos. Having a low co-efficient of friction, consequently permitting a minimum wear and loss of power, Asbestos prevents the escape of the propelling force, whether of steam or other pressure. Millboard was used extensively in surrounding the ships' boilers and in providing adequate insulation in and around the stoves and cooking devices." 9) Insulated wire in "the wireless" and in electric manufacturing plants 10) Cloth bags in oxygen-producing plants 11) Brake linings in cars, trucks, hoist cranes, engines and tanks 12) Cord for packing sparkplugs in trucks, tankers, airplanes, etc. 13) In the manufacture of munitions: a) Table covers/mats in labs b) Cloth in producing sulphuric acid c) Sealing of percussion caps in large shells d) Wadding in cartridges and timing devices in bombs e) Wick for wiping scale from steel sheeting, wire and armor plate 14) Mittens/Gloves for machine gunners 15) Gun grips on rifle barrels

17. June 1920, pp. 25-26 summary p. 8

    Arizona Asbestos - 1) Arizona Asbestos Assoc. (also known as Ash Creek Mine) has been operating three to four years and has shipped about 60 carloads to NY. Production estimated at 4-5 tons per day. Located at Chrysotile, Ariz. 2) American Ores and Asbestos, Inc. is located 50 miles from Globe and is producing about five tons per day, shipments being made to Bridgeport, CN. About 200 more claims have been located, and "since the Arizona fibers are very desirable for certain uses it may be expected that the development of the industry in Arizona will proceed rapidly …" U.S. Geological Survey spending time there.

18. July 1920, pp. 13-16 summary p. 8

    Arizona Asbestos - "Mining of Asbestos is not everywhere as unromantic, dust producing and character spoiling as it is in the Eastern Townships in Canada." Shipments from Globe contain crude asbestos No. 1 and No. 2 of very superior quality, with an extremely strong, silky fiber. "Arizona Asbestos excels in tensile strength and flexibility anything that has yet been produced in Canada."

19. July 1920, p. 16 summary p. 9

    "Arizona Mine on Market" - 17 mining claims, mill site, buildings, tools, warehouse and four worker houses for sale in Gila Co. near Chrysotile. Favorable report from U.S. Geological Survey. Owners not named.

20. July 1920, p. 19 summary p. 9

    85% Mag Market Conditions - If it were not for ship work, which at this time constitutes probably 90% of the demand, the market for Magnesia Coverings would be "mighty thin."

21. July 1920, pp. 43-44 summary p. 9

    85% Mag (Reflections on 30 years of service) - The Franklin Sugar Refinery put into service the first 85% Mag ever made, which was applied by its inventor. In 1886, over 100 jobs installing 85% mag had been performed at Kensington Engine works. The Pennsylvania Railroad, by 1888, had experience for three years with 85% mag on steam surfaces of all shapes, varying pressures, and exposed to all conditions. "… evidence is at hand that more 85% Magnesia covers steam pipes and flat surfaces carrying steam than the total of any other insulating product for commercial purposes." "Since 1887, the U.S. Navy Specification has read 'Magnesia Insulation Material shall contain not less than 85% of Hydrated Magnesia Carbonate'."

22. Sept. 1920, p. 20 summary p. 9

    Arizona Asbestos - It is predicted that the several mines will collectively produce about 1,000 tons of Crude in 1920. Considering the fact that Canada gets out only about 3,500 to 4,000 tons, this from Arizona will help out a lot.

23. Sept. 1920, p. 44 summary p. 9

    The India Rubber Journal, August 7th: "There has been a great shortage of asbestos during the war and deliveries are reported still to be slow. Great Britain and Canada are the chief sources of supply for asbestos goods of all kinds, and it is expected that they will continue to be so in the future. Some deliveries have been made by America, but it is not considered that that country is in a favourable situation for the sale of asbestos manufactures."

24. Sept. 1920, p. 53 summary p. 9

    J-M in co-operation with the United States Bureau of Mines is preparing a movie of the asbestos industry intended to portray the mining and milling of asbestos in Quebec and Arizona, the processes of fiberizing, spinning and weaving, and the manufacturing of the various asbestos-containing products. It will also include pictures of the Company's plant under construction at Waukegan, IL. "The thousands, or rather millions of people to whom this picture will be presented will gain a much clearer idea of the many uses and the indispensible character of asbestos than could be gained in any other way."

25. Nov. 1920, pp. 5-10 summary p. 10

    "Comments on Amosite Asbestos". Amosite only became known in the fiber industry within the last few years and is the least known variety, thereby having difficulties to contend with. The same was true of crocidolite until Cape Asbestos Co. gave such a strong lead by demonstrating the long list of articles successfully manufactured therefrom. Amosite may possess properties which render it superior to chrysotile and crocidolite for certain applications. Its most striking characteristic is its length, which is without rival. It is superior to chrysotile and crocidolite in incombustibility and acid, alkali and sea water resisting capacity; chrysotile is far inferior in the latter.

26. Nov. 1920, p. 44 summary p. 10

    Rumania Market - Building materials of every type are needed in Rumania due to the war destruction. Asbestos shingles are particularly desired in rebuilding homes.

27. Nov. 1920, p. 46 summary p. 10

    "Fireproofing Legislation" - Certain cities and states have laws requiring the use of asbestos and other fire-resisting insulation. Asbestos magazine will collect from all sources the laws which have been passed as a service to the industry.

28. Nov. 1920, p. 58 summary p. 10

    Canadian Strike - workers in the Canadian mines have striked (sic) for the second time in sympathy with the Asbestos Corp. miners. "It is reported the attitude of the workers is ugly."

29. Dec. 1920, p. 39 summary p. 10

    "Fireproofing Legislation" - Sets out Chicago ordinance for Insulating Material for Metal Chimneys/ Stacks: a) Lining may be of fire clay blocks, magnesia insulation or fused asbestos board. b) Magnesia blocks shall contain no less than 50% asbestos fiber. c) Fused asbestos boards shall be made of flat and corrugated asbestos sheets cemented and fused together.

30. Dec. 1920, p. 58 summary p. 10

    H.W. Johns-Manville Co. - purchased two or more properties near Plymouth Meeting for the development of dolomite quarries. Dolomite is the form of limestone from which magnesia is produced.

31. Dec. 1920, pp. 58-60 summary p. 11

    Asbestos Corp. - strike ended Nov. 11, having begun on Oct. 11 with the first request that the Nat'l. Catholic Union be recognized and asking a pay increase of 12 1/2%. Company referred to arbitrator. Strikers petitioned the company to resume work at conditions in effect prior to the strike.