12 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



CEMENT 



BY ROBERT W. JONES 



At the beginning of 191 5 there was little cement construction 

 work in sight, and manufacturers in general began to cut their rate 

 of production in order to reduce the accumulated stock held over 

 from 1914. 



The price of cement in the New York market, allowing for the 

 refund on bags at the rate of 7^^ cents a bag with four bags to the 

 barrel, opened at $1.28 a barrel. This was a trifle lower than for 

 the preceding year although the demand was about the same. In 

 February the price dropped to $1.12, although for other sections 

 of the United States it still held at the previous monthly average. 

 During March there was a falling off in demand and prices in 

 general were reduced, though the New York market price remained 

 at the February level. An unfortunate disagreement between the 

 producers of the Hudson River region and the Lehigh district 

 occurred and cement sold in April on the New York, market at 92 

 cents a barrel. This was only a local reduction, and nearby cities 

 were not affected to as great an extent. In May a large amount of 

 cement was sold for future delivery at 93 cents. During June, 

 July and August the market continued at the same low level, with 

 an average price of 92 cents. In September the price rose to $1.12, 

 in October and November to $1.27 and the year closed at the high 

 price of $1.32. 



The production in New York State amounted to 5,219,460 bar- 

 rels with a value of $4,175,528 as compared with 5,667,728 barrels 

 and a value of $5,088,677 for 1914. This drop in production re- 

 sulted chiefly from the temporary closing of one plant during the 

 entire year and of two plants in the Hudson River region for 

 several months. 



There were seven plants in active operation during 191 5. In 

 August 1 91 4, the Cayuga Lake Cement Corporation took over the 

 plant of the Cayuga Lake Cement Company at Portland Point, 

 Tompkins county, with the intention of enlarging the plant from a 

 daily capacity of 800 barrels to 2000 barrels. This plant made no 

 production during 191 5. The Acme Cement Corporation began the 

 active reconstruction of the plant formerly owned by the Seaboard 

 Cement Company. This plant, which has never been operated, was 



