vin, a, 2 Reibling: Portland Cement 123 



of cases, the manufacturer and his agent are very desirous to execute their 

 contracts to the satisfaction of all parties, and where financial conditions 

 permit, would prefer to supply material above the specifications in order 

 to avoid any risk of loss through rejection and consequent dissatisfaction. 

 The above expression of opinion has behind it the result of ten years' 

 trading in cement and business here amounting to over 100,000 barrels since 

 the beginning of the year. We shall be glad if it is possible to handle 

 cement for the Government on the bonus system mentioned above, and 

 shall be pleased to let you have any information from the factory that may 

 assist in the furthering of this system. » 



SUMMARY 



1. A resume of the operation of standard specification for 

 Portland cement shows the need of improving our contracting 

 methods for the purchase of this material. 



2. At present there is little incentive to induce the manufac- 

 turer to grind and burn to the degree of perfection that modern 

 improvements have made practicable. 



3. In order to secure the desired constancy in volume, strength, 

 setting properties, and sand-carrying capacity, the raw materials 

 must be carefully selected and regulated, finely ground, very 

 thoroughly mixed, and hard burned, and the finished product 

 must be of extreme fineness and properly packed. None of these 

 factors can be neglected. 



4. Increased efficiency can be obtained only at a correspond- 

 ingly greater expense to the manufacturer, and Portland cement 

 should be purchased on a basis of quality as well as quantity. 



5. Desirable results can be obtained only by establishing a 

 reasonable standard for the purchase and use of Portland cement 

 which will be fair to the manufacturer and take into considera- 

 tion the work capable of being done, as well as the quantity of 

 cement used. 



6. This standard must be applicable to a system which will 

 induce and foster competition. 



7. In view of the foregoing, it is suggested that Portland 

 cement be purchased as heretofore from the lowest bidder who 

 guarantees to fulfill the requirements of an improved specifica- 

 tion, and that, in addition, bonuses be awarded for superior 

 quality. 



8. A bonus system is described, the enforcement of which, it 

 is believed, would secure the desired results. 



9. The bonuses specified permit the manufacturer to earn 30 

 centavos (15 cents United States currency) per barrel in excess 

 of the selling price provided he supplies a well-burned, finely 

 ground product and the standard, 1 : 3, Ottawa-sand mortars 



