and expects to have in operation during the course of next year the following carbide factories:

The aggregate annual product of these four plants is estimated at 20,000,000 kilograms (20,000 metric tons), capable of generating 6,000,000 cubic meters (211,896,000 cubic feet) of acetylene. Besides these, the Aluminium Industry Company, of Neuhausen-on-Rhine, has this year increased its capital to 16,000,000 francs ($3,088,000) for the purpose of constructing a 7,500-horsepower plant at LandGastein, in Austria. All these establishments will employ the original process, by which the lime and carbon are smelted together by the heat of an electric current.

*

The Walther process, briefly described in a former report of this series, smelts the same materials by the heat of darting acetylene flames intensified by mechanical pressure, and is employed by a company at Leipsic, which has works at Cassel and now advertises its product in the special organ of the carbide industry. Although this company is said to have exhibited at Berlin carbide samples of very high quality, there seems to prevail among business men some doubt which may be only the conservative prejudice that discredits. all new things-as to whether this process can be made to compete economically with electrical heat generated by water power under favorable conditions. So far as can be ascertained, a favorably located and well-managed water-power plant in Germany or Switzerland ought to produce carbide of standard quality at a net cost of 160 marks ($38) per metric ton, and it is doubted whether this minimum figure can be much reduced by any process now in practice. The consumption of acetylene will have to increase rapidly after next winter to keep pace with the great augmentation in the carbide supply that will then occur.

Already the effect of this future increase in production exerts a definite influence upon contract prices, and a large purchase for next year's delivery has recently been made at a reduction of 20 marks ($4.76) per 100 kilogram (220 pounds) from the market price of the same firm for 1898. Carbide is a form of merchandise which varies exceedingly in price according to the quantity involved in the transaction. So far as can be ascertained, manufacturers now receive from railways and other consumers or wholesale dealers who purchase in large quantities from 34 to 35 marks ($8.09 to $8.33) per

*See CONSULAR REPORTS No. 206 (November, 1897), p. 337.

100 kilograms, packing charges not included. Consumers of small quantities have to pay to dealers from $10. 25 to $11.90 per 100 kilograms, exclusive of packing, the price between these two figures being governed by the quantity purchased.

The standard guaranteed strength is 300 liters of gas per kilogram of carbide, and the present situation may be summarized as follows:

There is now in the European market no apparent surplus of carbide, and the current supply is taken up as fast as it is turned

out.

There is even a demand that would justify some importation, provided the foreign-made carbide were of standard quality and could be furnished at prices within the local market rate and under conditions of delivery and payment that prevail here.

This situation can probably not continue beyond the close of the present year. The several large, new carbide plants that will be started up next winter and spring will so increase the output as to probably reduce the market price to a fair profit above net cost of production, and, unless the use of acetylene increases phenomenally, leave a surplus that will be available for export.

Calcium carbide is, however, a somewhat critical kind of merchandise for international traffic. The requirements of railways and steamship companies in respect to packing, etc., are so costly and difficult of fulfillment that in one recent case a large order of carbide for China had to be canceled because it was impossible to comply with the specifications for its transportation.

FRANKFORT, July 6, 1898.

FRANK H. MASON,

Consul-General.

PAPYRISTITE.

Since taking charge of this consulate, I have at different times. received communications from the United States inquiring about a certain artificial material called papyrolith, in regard to which my predecessor sent a report to the Department.*

I have made diligent inquiries, seen samples of the material, and now, for the benefit of the public, beg to report as follows:

A new artificial stone or moss has recently made its appearance on the builders' technical market, called papyristite, on account of the ingredients entering into its composition, principal among which is purified paper pulp, obtained from waste paper.

* See CONSULAR REPORTS No. 198 (March, 1897), p. 343. No. 216

4.

Papyristite is an improvement on papyrolith, both having been invented by Mr. Fr. Gehre, a civil engineer of Zurich. It can be used in various ways, but is specially intended to serve as a solid, impermeable, and jointless roof or floor, which, when once laid, will present a smooth surface as if made in one continuous layer. This new material, I am told, is a nonconductor of heat, cold, or sound, and, although as hard as stone, has a soft, linoleum-like feeling to the foot, and is noiseless.

Accumulations of dust, vermin, or fungi are impossible, there being no grooves or joints. The weight is much less than that of

stone or cement.

One hundred kilograms (220 pounds) of this preparation in a powdered form, when mixed for use and spread to a thickness of 10 millimeters (0.3940 inch), will cover a surface of 81⁄2 square meters (911⁄2 square feet)

The ingredients for the manufacture of papyristite are obtainable in the United States, and the cost is exceedingly low.

No machinery is necessary to prepare the compound, although to save labor, where great quantities are to be used, an ordinary press can be utilized to advantage. It can be molded or spread in any desirable form or shape, as is the case with cement. The mixing is done on the spot, where it is wanted, and it is transported, like cement, in barrels or sacks.

The drying or hardening process is effected in twenty-four hours after spreading, and then, if desired, it can be polished to a high gloss. The inventor's numerous experiments have given good results, and his persistent efforts seem at last to have been crowned with success.

Taking the opinion of prominent architects who have experimented with this new material, there seems to be no doubt that a valuable building material has been discovered, which can be utilized in many ways. It is as hard as marble, and is practically indestructible, yet it is elastic and possesses all of the qualities mentioned above.

It can be cut, sawed, and bored; given any desirable tint, and made to look like marble or mosaic.

For roofing purposes, it is also valuable. A light iron framework has been invented by Mr. Gehre, and the material is put on in the form partly of plates and partly of mortar, which, when united, produce a smooth, continuous surface. It is adapted to cold as well as to tropical regions, and its stone-like qualities protect it against mice or other vermin. Trials of this material have been made in Russia and Brazil, and the reports received are very encouraging. It will probably be widely used in the near future.

The material once laid will never contract or warp; and where the instructions for the mixing process are well carried out the results can not fail to prove all the inventor claims for his product. It is elastic, light, and inexpensive in production.

For schoolrooms, public halls, corridors, bath rooms (both floor and walls), terraces, barns, poultry yards, etc., no better, cleaner, and healthier material can be found; and, as a nonabsorbent of moisture, filth, or other unhealthy substances, it is no doubt without equal as a building material.

Patents for the process and material, as well as for the roof frame necessary thereto, have been applied for in the United States. The inventor will furnish, upon application, samples of the finished material to parties who pay express charges, or will sell the raw ingredients to the party wishing to experiment at 18 marks ($4.50) per 100 kilograms (220 pounds), free on board cars at Zurich. For other information, address Papyristite Company, Post Fach 10469, Zurich, Switzerland.

ZURICH, June 22, 1898.

A. LIEBERKNECHT,

Consul.

VALUE OF THE GERMAN WORKINGMEN'S

INSURANCE

SYSTEM.

Time is proving the practical value of the German workingmen's insurance system. If I return to the subject again, it is because I believe it to be one deserving a great deal of attention. The social and economic influence of so gigantic a system must be very great.

The object of the system is to alleviate the sufferings of workmen and their families: (1) In cases of sickness (sick insurance); (2) in cases of accidents incurred at work (accident insurance); (3) in cases of feebleness, wasting diseases, decreased capacity to work, and old age (invalid and old-age insurance).

In cases coming under No. 1 there is given free medical treatment; sick money-that is, money during period of sickness with which to obtain medicine, nourishment, etc. or, if desired, free. treatment in a hospital and support for the family; and money, in case of death, is supplied the family. The fund is furnished by employers and employed-the former paying one-third, the latter two-thirds.

In cases of accident insurance the parties receive support during convalescence, from the fourteenth week after the accident happens. Money is given the wounded person from the fifth week. Rents are paid from the first day of the fourteenth week after the accident. The rents amount to two-thirds, and in some cases to three-fifths, of the workman's yearly salary.

The fund for burial expenses is furnished by the employers. In cases coming under invalid and old-age insurance, the parties receive rents from the time they are unable to work, without regard to age; old-age rents, from the seventieth year, even if they can work and do not draw invalid rent; and assistance against disease so as to prevent incapacity. In case of his death or marriage, the full sum paid by the party is returned.

The following amounts were paid out in the years given:

During the years from 1885 to 1897 employers had paid in 1,337,741,176 marks ($318,382,399), and workmen 1,173,449,805 marks ($279,281,053), a total of 2,511,190,981 marks ($597,663,452). this amount 1,702, 184, 100 marks ($405,121,816) have been paid out. Thus the workmen have already received 528,700,000 marks ($125,830,600) more than they have paid in.

The annual amount paid out is increasing at the rate of 15,000,000 marks ($3,570,000) per annum. The reserve fund at the end of 1897 was, in round numbers, 850,000,000 marks ($202,500,000).

For every twentieth person of the Empire's population, one has been paid insurance.

Besides this system, there are others by which workingmen are aided. There are State and private insurance and pension systems. One alone, the Miners' and Smelters' Union, paid out in the years. 1895-1897, inclusive, 320,000,000 marks ($76,160,000). From 1900 on, the annual amount to be paid out will be upwards of 300,000,000 marks ($71,400,000), or 100 marks ($23.80) for every working-day in the year. Whether a system which makes so much for paternalism is one to commend, I can not say. Its effects here have been anything but bad. Poverty, in spite of poor wages, is practically

unknown.

CHEMNITZ, June 6, 1898.

J. C. MONAGHAN,

Consul.