Columbia University Libraries Digital Collections: The Real Estate Record

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69^! RECORD AND GCIDE October i6, igog Thatcher Heating Surface Enlarged. Attention is invited by the Thatcher Furnace Co. to its "Progress" Boiler, in which, through slight changes in forma¬ tion, the already large heating surface has been materially increased- The re¬ sult of a careful and scientiflc test shows, in the 3G different sizes, conservative ratings in direct heating power of from 523 to 15,000 sq- ft- in steam and from SoO to 24,000 in hot water. Special at¬ tention Is called to its "D" series, rang¬ ing In capacity from 6,000 to 24,000 sq. ft., which may be used as a single boiler or by simply closing the proper cut-off valve operated as two separate boilers, each independently of the other. This is a new and economical feature in large boiler construction, and full Information will be cheerfully furnislied to archi¬ tects, heating engineers and steam fitters by writing the manufacturers. The Thatcher Frunace Co., 110-116 Beekman st. New York, or 154 Lake st, Chicago, How Couci'ete Witiistoocl a Hurricane. When the daily papers reported the big West Indian hurricane this week railroad men at once Inquired what effect the big storm had had upon the concrete spans carrying the Florida East Coast Railway Company's trains from the mainland out to the Keys, Quite as anxious were the officials of that railroad to know how the concrete structure had withstood the bat¬ tering of the waves and the ramming of wreckage against the structure practically along Its entire length; Engineers' re¬ ports received by local officials of the road stated that the structure Itself was undamaged although the waves swept over it higher than the roofs of the cars. The great viadu..Tts. built, by the way, with Alsen's American and German Port¬ land cement, upon coral reefs, stood un¬ scathed, while the storm leveled almost every structure in the little town of Key West. There was some loss of life among laborers extending the viaduct over the final stretch to Key West, but the only property loss reported -was a tug boat. Re¬ ports received by the local officials are still meagre. This Is the second severe storm that the structure had withstood. While the viaduct was only half built a storm swept over the Gulf and killed 1.^8 men at work on the moulds and de¬ stroyed all equipment, but the structure Itself stood fast. This company is also supplying its ce¬ ment for the W^allkill syphon that will bring w-ater from the Ashokan dam under the Hudson River to this city. More than 100,000 barrels of Alsens' have been used so far in the work, some idea of which may be gained by the statement that the duct is 17 ft. in circumference and built entire of concrete. Alsens' has more hy¬ draulic work on hand now than any other kind. Its product is known to -have ex¬ ceptional water resisting qualities. Alpha Cement Purchases Verified. . Positive, verification was obtained this week, of the purchase recently by the Alpha Portland Cement Company of the plant of the Catskill Portland Cement Co., at Catskill-on-the-Hudson. This places the Alpha In line with the Atlas and Alsen (American) Portland cement companies, which have Important prop¬ erties up the river. There are one or two other companies that have acquired property of late along the tidewater route, but as they are situated some distance from the river itself it is not considered probable that they will build at once. It was stated that the Catskill plant will continue as heretofore, only under the con¬ trol of the Alpha Company, which will also continue to operate its Lehigh Valley mills. The movement was said to have been prompted by the general awakening of the Portland cement companies to the de¬ sirability of the Hudson valley as a ce¬ ment-producing district. While tlie cost of coal will be a little more than from the mines to tlie Lehigh mills, the saving in freight on the finished product to this market will overbalance that objection. Another Incentive for the general rush into the New York State field is that pub¬ lic works are taking large quantities of Portland cement, which has been supplied almost exclusively heretofore by compa¬ nies comparatively near the operations, such as the Alsen and the Glens Palls companles- 'Are not the subsidiary companies of the North American Portland Cement Com¬ pany preparing to, develop their export business?" was the question asked a gen¬ tleman well posted In cement affairs this week- The fact was suggested that per¬ haps it had been found desirable to find an outlet for the overproduction at certain mills- It was also asked if perhaps the big companies were preparing to take ad¬ vantage of the South American and Ori¬ ental trade tliat might be opened up to the American Portland cement companies upon the completion of the Panama Canal five years hence. "It Is possible," was the guarded re¬ ply, "but not probable. Home consump¬ tion under normal conditions can take care of the output of the American mills, but until recently conditions have not been normal. As lor developing the export business, it may come later, but not at present. There is room enough for de¬ velopment here. The advertising being done by various companies indicates that that fact is generally recognized. "In the Orient the Japanese cement can beat the American product In an open market- In competition with the highest grade of German cement. It holds a lead in quality and price, the latter because of cheaper labor- Some of it Is fighting for a foothold on the Pacific slope of our own country to-day, and is giving satisfaction. It Is therefore improbable that an outlet for future overproduction in American mills can be found in China or Japan." In connection with the sale of the Cat- skill plant, a local cement authority has received a letter from J. W. Kittrell, secre¬ tary and treasurer of the retiring concern, which is characteristic of the Annapolis engineer and builder of the big works. Part of the missive follows: "I shall not butt into the cement busi¬ ness again. I am looking about for some¬ thing easier that will take a iot of heavy standing around, I hope to have time to visit you once in a while so as to give you an opportunity of singing your song of woe, as I will enjoy It very much here¬ after on account of its being a solo and not a duet." Mr. Kittrell has been a familiar flgure and highly respected by every one in cement circles for years because of his quiet, retiring manner and keen humor, yet aggressive in business affairs. He has many friends in this city. Guarding Against Ice Lawsuits, The recent cold snap has forcibly brought to property owners' attention the desirability of looking to vestibule ap¬ proaches, steps exposed to the weather and Incline passageways, to guard against lawsuits arising from pedestrians falling and injuring themselves when the Ice and snow comes. The Murray and Jacobs Manufacturing Co., of 141 West 36th st, is out with an Improved stair tread, made of gray iron in the surface of which is cast a fine grade of corundum, or "Alundum," as it is known In the trade. It has greater strength. It is said, than carborundum, but is equally hard, enabling it to with¬ stand the constant wear of scraping shoes. It is said that alundum surfaced cast iron is ideal for stair tread use, railway coach door sills, car steps, platforms, run¬ ning boards for moving machinery and elevator door approaches and. In fact, any place where non-slipping surfaces are de¬ sirable. The Murray & Jacobs device Is known as the "Perfection" tread. It is distinctive in that the non-sHpping fea¬ ture is flush with the nosing of the step, thus insuring against slipping while ■de¬ scending. This company also makes re¬ movable 'Alundum" surfaced buttons for use between the glass discs of vault lights. Activity of the Perlman Iron Works The Perlman Iron Works (Inc.), manu¬ facturers and designers of high-grade architectural iron doors, windows, cagings, elevator doors and decorative shafts, etc, has been having a remarkably busy Fall and contracts now in hand are sufflcient to warrant expectations of a busy Winter and Spring. Some of the recently com¬ pleted contracts that have been turned out at the shop at 1357 West Farms road, follow: The 13-sty flreproof elevator apartment house on the northwest corner of 113th st and Riverside Drive, Bing & Bing, owners, and Sch-(\'artz & Gross, architects. The O-sty fireproof elevator apartment, north¬ west corner lolst st and Broadway, B. Crystal & Son, ow-ners, Gaeton Ajelio, architects. And a private residence at 22 West SOth st, S- Pridel, owner; L- Kantor & Co., general contractors, and H. A, Jacobs, architect, I'hose that It has now on hand are two 12-sty flreproof elevator apartments on the north side of llOth st, between Broadway and Amsterdam av, Bing & Bing, owners, and Schwartz & Gross, architects. The 8-sty fireproof elevator apartment house, north side of lllth st, between Broadway and Riverside Drive, Harvard Realty Construction Co., owners, and William L, Rouse, architect- The 8- sty flreproof elevator apartment house on the north side of 112th st, between Broad¬ way and Arasterdam av, Hennessey Realty Co., owners; Schwartz & Gross, architects. The 8-sty flreproof elevator apartment house on the north side of 115th st, between Riverside Drive and Broad¬ way, the Alcazar Realty Co., owners, and Williani L. Rouse, architect. And the 9- sty elevator apartment house, Riverside Drive, north of 116th st, B. Crystal & Son, owners; Gaeton Ajelio, architect. Inspects A^'ater Meters and Saves Money. The Water Supervision Co., o? 3 Park Row. has a proposition to offer owners of buildings, whether they are large or small, that means money in their pocket. It stops leakages and sees that the meter Is doing what it should do. The company is in Its third year, and the thousands of letters in Its files from satisfied customers is proof positive that it does what it agrees to do—save owners money. Only experts are employed, and they keep track of the building's entire water service. Presei'viiig Blyeprints. In order to preserve blueprints, which are apt to fade when brought into the sunlight, or even in a strong light, without being in the direct sunlight, the following remedy is recommended by the American Machinist: E.xpose the prints until badly burned and then wash in clear water until all emulsion is removed- While still wet lay prints, with the blue side up, on a smooth surface, and by means of a paint brush cover the print smoothly with peroxide of hydrogen. This will bring out the background very blue and the lines perfectly white, and make a print that will not fade to any extent in the sunshine.