MILLS AND THE MEN The one vital lesson in iron and steel that I learned in Britain was the necessity for owning raw materials and finishing the completed article ready for its purpose.

Having solved the steel-rail problem at the Edgar Thomson Works, we soon proceeded to the next step.

The difficulties and uncertainties of obtaining regular supplies of pig iron compelled us to begin the erection of blast furnaces.

Three of these were built, one, however, being a reconstructed blast furnace purchased from the Escanaba Iron Company, with which Mr.Kloman had been connected.

As is usual in such cases, the furnace cost us as much as a new one, and it never was as good.