SAS ANNUAL REPORT 
would have any broad utility, owing to the greatly varying conditions 
under which different plants must always operate. Neither is it good 
policy, in the writer’s opinion, to publish broadcast ideal figures, which 
might attract capitalists and lead them to expect extraordinary profits, thus 
causing overproduction and ruinous competition, such as has been exper- 
iencedinsome cement districts. The profits of the cement business are close 
and sound management is required. A works not over capitalized and not 
handicapped by unsuitable conditions, high cost of raw material or of fuel 
or poor shipping facilities, can expect a fair and constant profit, but soon 
Fig. 61. View of the Alma Portland cement plant, at Wellston, Ohio. 
it will be a question of the survival of the fittest, just as has been ex- 
perienced in Germany and other countries. The growth of the American 
cement industry has been enormous, and in spite of the growing number 
of usestowhich cement is put, the supply will soon be equal to the demand. 
It is to be hoped that the import of cement to the United States will soon 
be a thing of the past and that our country will acquire its share of the 
export trade in our natural markets, South America and the American 
possessions in the east, as well as in the other markets of the world. 
First Cost.—In order to afford some basis of comparison in regard 
to the first cost of a cement plant the following rough estimates are 
quoted. Machinery for a two rotary plant, working limestone and clay, 
about 350 barrels per day of 24 hours. 
