Colourless Viscose.

At the present time viscose is employed in the manufacture of certain kinds or qualities of paper and in certain other manufactures, but its application has been limited to a great extent by its comparatively dark shade, that is to say, a pale brown shade, which has hitherto prevented its use in the manufacture of white paper and certain other materials.

Mr. Arthur Fielding, manufacturing chemist, of Salford, has patented an invention, according to which he makes a solution of bi-sulphite of soda or other suitable bisulphites, and mixes a certain proportion of the solution with the viscose in order to neutralise its colour and make it suitable for the manufacture of white paper from wood pulp or other suitable material.

It is obvious that viscose so prepared can be employed in various manufactures other than for paper, such, for example, as the manufacture of textile materials, and further that the bi-sulphite of soda or other bi-sulphite in solution may be added to any mixture of pulp, etc., with viscose for the purpose named.

After treatment with the mixed solution of bi-sulphite and viscose, the paper, cloth or other textile material, is preferably steamed after drying in order to complete the decolourisation and fixation of the viscose.

For example, the patentee employs in the manufacture of paper thirty-two pounds bisulphite of soda at seventy degrees Twaddle mixed with twenty-four gallons of viscose (five per cent. solution). These quantities are suitable for adding to a beater containing the equivalent of six hundred pounds of dry pulp.

The bi-sulphite may be added to the pulp before or after the viscose has been put into the beater instead of being mixed beforehand. Instead of bi-sulphite of soda any other suitable bi-sulphite, such as bi-sulphite of alumina, may be used, or a mixture of both. If desired, china clay may be added, or any suitable oil as a softening ingredient. After drying, the material thus treated is preferably steamed for one or two minutes at a pressure of one to three pounds of steam, or passed through a machine in order to fix and complete the decolourisation of the viscose.

Paper for Electric Insulation.

It is well known that manilla and other pure vegetable paper of the requisite strength possesses admirable qualities for an insulating material. It is found, however, that the alkali combined or otherwise contained in the paper is highly objectionable electrically, and also that certain other mineral and noncellulose organic matters present in the paper injuriously affect its insulating quali

ties and specific inductive capacity to a considerable extent.

The present invention (patented by Mr. J. B. Tayler, M.Sc., of Liverpool) is designed to abstract from the paper these non-cellulose organic and mineral matters, and to provide a paper of low specific inductive capacity and good insulation.

In carrying the invention into effect, the patentee treats the pulp while in the beaters with dilute mineral acid, preferably sulphuric acid, of about one-tenth per cent. strength in the proportions of about one parts pulp to two parts acid. If, however, the finished paper be treated, it is passed in a web through acid of from five to ten per cent. strength. In each case the acid must thoroughly permeate the material, but in passing the paper through it the paper is passed through with sufficient rapidity to effect this permeation and no more.

Ordinary unsized or slightly sized paper passing through the acid need only be in the acid for about ten seconds. The paper is subsequently washed in pure water, or a slightly limy water so as to get rid of the free acid. By this means the alkali and other objectionable matters are got rid of. It is claimed that the process is extremely cheap, and as it only involves the use of weak acids the purpose is achieved without destroying or injuring the fibrous nature of the paper. The paper may be sized after the acid treatment if desirable, so long as no alkali compositions are used in the size.

Indian Imports of Paper.

The increase in the imports of paper into India has (says Mr. J. E. O'Conor, in his report on the trade of British India for the official year ending March 31st last), unfortunately, been accompanied by, and has indeed been the cause of, a serious depression in the papermaking industry of Bengal. The official returns give the following imports of paper and pasteboard and stationery :

1899-1900 1900-1901 1901-1902

Paper and Pasteboard. R. 41,13,201 45,29,996 52,71,634

Stationery. R. 29,37,653

31,68,746 32,28,576

The British and other European papermakers have been able to undersell the local mills by the importation at low rates in large quantities of paper of attractive appearance made from wood pulp, which has been freely purchased by printers and others in preference to the less attractive, if more durable, paper made from grass, gunnies, and rags, in the Bengal mills, and most of them are at present in great straits. The importation of printing paper has steadily enlarged in the last few years, from 4,550 tons in 1898-99 (in itself a great increase on previous years) to 6,077 tons last year, an increment of 33 per cent. in four years.

ADVERTISE in this paper! It pays!!

WORLD'S PAPER TRADE REVIEW, Office: 58, Shoe Lane, E.C.

TRADE NOTES.

TREVARNO PAPER MILLS, BATHFORD.A correspondent writes that it is intended to continue working the mills of the Bath Paper Mills Co. A new manager has been appointed.

BRITISH URALITE CO., LTD. - Supplemental lien registered September 5th to trust deed dated May 10th, 1801, for securing £55,000, to the London Trust Co., Ltd., charged on the undertaking and all the property, including the unpaid and uncalled capital.

LAMSON PARAGON SUPPLY CO., LTD.-A company has been formed with a total share capital of £250,000, to acquire the business of the Lamson Paragon Supply Co. (Ltd.), manufacturers of specialities in stationery, etc. The purchase price for the business, including goodwill, has been fixed at £195,331, and the capital of the company is equally divided into five-and-a-half per cent. cumulative preference and ordinary shares of £1 each, Thirty-five thousand of each class of share are taken by the vendors in part payment of the purchase price; while the present issue to the public consists of 70,000 preference and ordinary shares at par.

IRISH BARYTES AND UMBER CO., LTD.— Registered with a nominal capital of £20,000, in £1 shares. Object, to acquire the business of mining now carried on on the premises comprised in the schedule to a certain agreement, made October 16th, 1900, to adopt an agreement with W. Day, to acquire mines, minerals, and property, and to carry on the business of miners, metallurgists, smelters, mineral workers and merchants, etc. No initial public issue. The first directors (to number not less than two nor more than five) are to be appointed by the subscribers. Qualification, £100. Remuneration as fixed by the company. Registered office: Moorgate Station-chambers, E.C.

FIRE AT A LONDON PAPER WAREHOUSE. -On Monday night a fire broke out at a warehouse in Fye-foot-lane, Queen Victoriastreet. The firemen, who were quickly in attendance, were severely handicapped by dense smoke, and for a time it was impossible to gauge the extent to which the flames had extended, but just before ten o'clock the news was telephoned to the headquarters of the Brigade that no more help was required. The outbreak occurred in a building of six floors, about 50-ft. by 35-ft., used as a paper stores, and the basement, ground, and first floors, with the contents, were severely damaged. The firemen were personally directed by Captain Wells, and the London Salvage Corps were under the command of Major Fox. The following is the official report :-" Called at 9.20 p.m. to 208, Queen Victoria-street, City, E.C., to the premises of Messrs. W. and T. Dixon, paper

merchants; landlords unknown; cause of fire unknown; insurance unknown : damage, a building of six floors, about 50-ft. by 30-ft. in dimensions (used as offices and stores); basement and the contents severely damaged by fire; upper part of the building and the contents by fire, heat, smoke, and water, and door broken open."

A PAPER TRADE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY AMERICAN COMPETITION.-At the quarterly meeting of the Amalgamated Society of Papermakers held in Birmingham, on Saturday last, it was unanimously resolved to grant to their general secretary, Mr. Wm. Dyson, leave of absence to enable him to accept Mr. Moseley's invitation to join the commission he is taking out to America. Mr. Moseley's invitation having been accepted, we shall look forward with interest to Mr. Dyson's report, which, we understand, will cover the labour conditions and methods of working in American mills, the object being to present information that will assist both employers and employees in making a determined stand to meet the growing competition from the United States.

BRITISH TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.– In view of the activity of German and American paper manufacturers in sending trade commissioners to South Africa in order to be early in the field in supplying the growing demands of that country, it is evident that papermakers in this country must lose no opportunity in bringing samples of their productions, in view of future orders, before buyers in South Africa, where an excellent market ought to be found. A well-known member of the paper trade, with great experience as a buyer, and also thoroughly acquainted with the export trade, proposes to spend several months in South Africa in the interests of British paper manufacturers. He is prepared to act as travelling representative, on somewhat nnique terms, and those of our readers who are interested, we refer them to an advertisement on another page of this issue.

TECHNOLOGICAL TEXT-BOOKS.-Mr. Clayton Beadle, in writing on the unsatisfactory state of our current technical literature in the Chemical Trade Journal, says :-" I feel most strongly that the City and Guilds of London Institute are largely to blame for their laxity in this matter, and admire anybody who has the boldness to say so." Mr. George H. Hurst, in referring to Mr. Beadle's letter, remarks:-"While I think the Institute, in the lists of books of reference which they give in their annual programme, do not do that justice to English literature that is desirable, omitting many excellent textbooks from these lists, and giving undue preference to foreign text-books that the great majority of the students cannot read, yet I would not go so far as to blame them for the present position of current English technical literature, for unless they extend the technical book publishing business from a philanthropic point of view, I don't quite see how they can remedy this state of affairs. Rather would I blame our English technologists, using the latter term in its

widest significance, for they are not book buyers, and therefore do not encourage publishers to issue books. I know something of the circulation of technical books, and they are certainly not half what they should be, and there are many which have not repaid the publishers for the outlay upon them. There are many branches of technology without a suitable text-book, and they will always be without, for the prospects of a remunerative sale are too flimsy to induce any publisher to issue one, or for an author to write one. Every works ought to have a library as an essential part of its equipment; when that becomes universal, then we shall have a better supply of technological literature in this country."

CIGARETTE PAPER.-Rofia, raffia, or raphia fibre, one of the vegetable products peculiar to Madagascar, is being used for cigarette paper, and samples have been placed in the Commercial Museum at Tananarivo. Mr. William H. Hunt, United States Consul at Tamatave, says in regard to them: "The paper presents the qualities of decided suppleness and strength, and, as the fibre from the start is tasteless, inodourous, and exceedingly clean, it certainly recommends itself to the most fastidious." The Consul also points out that this fibre can be used for other purposes, and that therefore it will be well worth while for manufacturers to experiment with it.

Canadian Notes.

ROYAL PAPER MILLS CO., LTD.-At the annual meeting of the Royal Paper Mills Co., Ltd., recently held, the following directors were elected: Mr. George Van Dyke, Boston, Mass.; Hon. J. W. Drew, Lancaster, N.H.; Judge Page, Portsmouth, N.H.; Messrs. C. C. Springer, Holyoke, Mass.; George G. Foster, advocate, Montreal; C. C. Cleveland, Danville, Que. ; R. H. Pope, M.P., Cookshire; F. P. Buck, Sherbrooke; William Farwell, Sherbrooke; Robert Westgate, East Angus, and L. J. Frechette, Black Lake. At a meeting of the newly-elected directors, Messrs. F. P. Buck was elected president and general manager; R. H. Pope, M.P., vice-president; W. H. Larned, assistant manager, and G. E. Palmer, secretary.

GOOD progress is being made on the new mill being erected by the Canada Paper Co., Ltd., at Windsor Mills, Quebec. Men are now engaged roofing in the finishingroom, and work on the walls of the machineroom is almost finished. In a short time the blasting in the flumes will be completed. The new flumes are to supply about 15 water wheels, most of which will be of the Samson Leffel pattern. The pulp mill be started with 10 grinders, two of which are already on the ground, the rest being finished by the Jenckes Co., of Sherbrooke. The machine which is being installed in the new mill is 156 inches wide, the largest machine in Canada. Every other piece of machinery secured is of the

most modern type and the best possible description. Extensive improvements are also being made to the two old mills.

Reviews.

THE Strand Magazine for October is an excellent production. The opening story is from the pen of Rudyard Kipling, entitled "The Comprehension of Private Copper." W. W. Jacobs gives an amusing contribution, "A Spirit of Avarice," whilst C. B. Fry writes on "Football Teams Recalled.' An attractive feature in this number is "The Sorceress of the Strand," by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace. There is a short story, “A Thief in the Night," by Florence Warden, and a number of articles of a highly interesting character. We have also received from Messrs. Newnes, Ltd., the Sunday Strand, the Wide World Magazine, and the Captain, the contents of which, like in the Strand Magazine, are contributed by some of the leading writers of the day. The "Twentieth Century Citizen's Atlas" has now reached its completion by the publication of the twenty-sixth part, and those who have taken it in will be turning their thoughts to the binding of the volume. For this purpose Messrs. George Newnes, Ltd., have prepared binding cases in two forms, viz., cloth or half morocco, and, when the parts are properly inserted in these a handsome volume will be the result. The cases cost respectively 2s. 6d. and 4s.

THE October number of the Windsor Magazine is a splendid autumn issue, containing Rudyard Kipling's new story, in perhaps his finest vein, complete in this number, a witty sketch by Jerome K. Jerome, the absorbing continuation of Max Pemberton's "The Gold Wolf," and Richard Harding Davis's very notable new yarn, "Ranson's Folly." Louis Becke contributes a valuable Australian article, and such subjects as "Protective Colouration in Nature,"

The Naval Bases of the Empire," "The Canadian Indian Problem," "Famous Ferries," and many another, are as finely illustrated as they are well written. Altogether a bumper number.

OUR FOREIGN POST

GERMANY.

A NEW roofing board, under the name of Tempest Boards," is being introduced by Messrs. Benrath and Franck, of Gelbe Mühle, near Duren. The material is of exceptional thickness, and is strengthened by a jute netting. Tests show that it resists the most severe weather, and that neither sun nor rain has any influence on the material.

FAILURE OF A CHEMICAL Co.-The auditing of the books of the Rheinau Mannheim Chemical Industry Joint Stock Company showed that the company had for many years been worked at a loss, the deficiency having been concealed by means of false entries. The share capital, amounting to 2,500,000 marks, is practically lost. The com pany has filed a declaration in bankruptcy. Mr. Joseph A. Boehm, first director, and Assistant Director Hessniger have been arrested. It appears that the directors sold to some banking houses transfers to the value of about 500,000 marks on a New York banking firm with which the company had business connections, without the company having had an equivalent amount to its credit at New York.

IT has been decided by the Association for Papermaking in Letea to increase its capital by 600,000 francs. The new shares (1,200 of 500 francs each) were over-subscribed for by the shareholders. The additional capital

tion will be, for the mill owners themselves have not yet had opportunity to give it sufficient consideration. Some manufacturers are undoubtedly willing to sell if they can get their price and have it paid in cash or good securities. Others dismiss consideration of the scheme at almost a moment's notice, declaring that it is not to their liking, while yet others hold to the opinion that their properties are not for sale at all. The promoters' work is to harmouise all these views, and it remains to be seen how successful the gentlemen who have undertaken the work will be.

MR. WILLIAM C. POWERS, of the London office of the International Paper Co., has returned to the States.

THE DETROIT BAG AND PAPER MANUFACTURING CO.—This company has been incor porated with a capital stock of 150,000 dols. The incorporators are as follows:-Messrs. Charles M. Swift, 50,000 dols.; W. C. McMillan, 15,000 dols.; Howard Brooke, of the T. W. Noble Co., 25,000 dols. ; E. A. Sumner, 25,000 dols.; Fred S. Colburn, 30,000 dols.; C. M. Tackles, 10,000 dols.; Charles B. Warren, trustee, 13,000 dols.; and T. W. Noble, 2,000 dols. The company will erect a modern plant in Detroit, and will manufacture jute and paper bags for the use of the various salt, alkali, and sugar companies of Detroit and vicinity, and the State.

THE MUNN WIRE ENVELOPE Co. have sold their plant to the United States Envelope Co. The latter company will not manufacture the wired envelopes.

THE BOGOTA PAPER MILL, at Bogota, N.J., has been destroyed by fire. The loss is estimated at 175,000 dols.

PERFECTLY

WORKMEN SATISFIED."There has been a little friction lately between the Rocky Mountain Paper Co., Denver, Col., and the Mill Workers' Union. Some eighty-eight of the employees support the policy of the company, and recently issued a statement, from which the following is an extract:-" We, the employees of the Rocky Mountain Paper Co., in refutation of certain charges against said company, made by the members of Mill Workers' Union No. 188, about a dozen members of which, all unskilled labourers, are employed around this mill, wish to state: That we are perfectly satisfied with the system of hours, wages, etc., under which we are now working; that we are a great majority of the employees of said company; that we do not think said company has discriminated against union employees."

TO

factory.

UNITED STATES.

THE proposed combination of the paper mills in the north-west is causing a stir all through the industry. It is too early yet to forecast what the outcome of the proposi

A PUBLISHER OF PLAYING CARDS seeks SAMPLES and PRICES of GOODS suitable for use in his Trade.

The Material must be Solid, Opaque, and Highly Glazed.

Address to J. A. BOOM, HAARLEM,

3774

KLEIN HEILIGLAND (HOLLAND).