Factory and Industrial Management Volume 23 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ...horizons of the reefs, the industrial life of the district will, of course, be correspondingly shortened. The working of lower-grade ores, made possible by improved economic conditions or other circumstances, would tend to increased longevity of the industry. But, were I called upon to express an opinion, I would estimate the future duration of profitable operations on a large scale in the district at less, rather than more, than 25 years. The future looks from all points of view encouraging. We may reasonably anticipate important improvements in economic conditions as the result of the establishment of a better government. I believe that, as the result of economic reforms, there will be an ultimate saving of 6s. per ton of ore treated. This refers to all savings, both direct and indirect, and especially to economy resulting from increased efficiency of labor due to the betterment of living conditions. Positions formerly commanding a salary of $15,000 a year will be satisfactorily filled for $10,000. For the tonnage of ore crushed in 1898, this would result in an increase of annual dividends of 2,199,405. The Transvaal generally is fertile, but requires irrigation, and lack of facilities for storing water makes this at present in feasible. There is a rainy season of four or five months, between the months of November and April. The thermometer rarely reaches 95 degrees in the shade, and the heat is "dry." During the remaining winter months--April to October--rain is exceptional and there is no extreme cold. Snow is rare in the Witwatersrand. While the climate is remarkably salubrious and invigorating, the rate of mortality has heretofore been high, owing to lack of proper sanitation. Undoubtedly this will be greatly improved under better gov...