STATE GEOLOGIST. 23 
PREFACE, 
The growth of the American cement industry has been phenomenal. 
Ten years ago the industry showed but a modest beginning, today it 
represents many millions of capital. The import of foreign cement which 
formerly was a great item in our cement consumption is becoming more 
and more insignificant. But the manufacture of Portland cement is 
destined to assume still greater proportions as the development in new 
uses of cement grows and as the younger, now purely agricultural states, 
turn their attention more towards constructive work. 
In spite of the rapid growth in the uses of cement it cannot be said 
that the financial condition of the industry is flourishing at the present 
time. To some extent this state of affairs is due to the appearance on the 
market of new plants who in their eagerness to sell their product, lower 
the price of cement dangerously close to the cost figure. Again the 
economic superiority of some plants over others is making itself felt, better 
equipped plants being able to sell their product cheaper or ship it further 
than more unfortunate concerns, handicapped by unsuitable location, over- 
capitalization or inferior mechanical equipment. Thus it behooves the 
industry to study closely the question of location in regard to the winning 
of the raw materials, the supply of cheap coal and satisfactory shipping 
facilities. In Ohio the district comprising the southeastern part furnish- 
ine cheap raw materials, cheap coal and excellent shipping would seem 
especially advantageous for the establishment of an extensive cement 
industry. 
More attention might be paid to the quality of the cement turned out 
than is now being done at numerous cement works at present. This does 
not mean that American Portland cements are not, per se, as good as the 
best Portland cements, since the writer could cite.a considerable number 
of American brands which cannot be excelled, but nevertheless it remains 
a fact that some cement works are not using the best cement composition 
“possible with their raw materials or are neglecting to pay particular at- 
tention to the proper fine grinding of the raw mixture. 
Another matter deserving more attention is the preparation of par- 
ticular cements for particular purposes. Thus for use in sea water, for 
reservoirs containing water charged with carbonic acid, or soluble mineral 
salts, cements resisting the various destructive agencies should be pro- 
duced by grinding the clinker with well burnt silicates, like clay, ete. For 
building blocks and decorative purposes cements low in soluble salts 
and low in sulphur should be made and the cement manufacturer should 
