COURT AND TREASURY DECISIONS.

This paragraph covers composition metal itself and not the articles composed thereof. (Abstract 36762, T. D. 34865, of 1914.) Old bullet jackets, used or rejected, having copper as their component material of chief value, assessed under paragraph 384 as waste, were held to be free of duty under this paragraph as composition metal of which copper is the component material of chief value. (G. A. 8189, T. D. 37725, of 1918, following G. A. 5061, T. D. 23469, of 1902.) Thin sheets of Dutch metal, 33 inches long by 8 inches wide, have also been held to come within this paragraph. (G. A. 4993, T. D. 23282, of 1901.) Other cases are discussed in a case upon hot-rolled wire rods or bars, 94 per cent copper and 6 per cent phosphor tin, held to be composition metal. (G. A. 6817, T. D. 29296, of 1908.)

Composition metal, of which 90 per cent is copper, has been held entitled to free entry under paragraph 460 of the act of 1913, even though the original form and condition thereof as manufactured gave it a distinctive character and identity as cannon. The removal therefrom prior to importation of the lugs or trunnions served, partially if not entirely, to destroy such identity and character and so changed the form and condition of the article as to render it susceptible of tariff classification merely as composition metal of which copper is the chief value. (G. A. 8350, T. D. 38439.)

Brass skimmings or ashes fit only for remanufacture are exempt from duty as old brass. (Abstract 33646, T. D. 33763, of 1913; G. A. 5180, T. D. 23873, of 1902.)

Clippings from Dutch metal fit only for remanufacture have likewise been held free of duty (Grempler v. United States, 107 Fed., 687), but scraps of Dutch metal leaf known as skewings have been held dutiable as manufactures of metal. (G. A. 4353, T. D. 20682, of 1899.)

ARGENTINE, ALBATA, AND GERMAN SILVER, UNMANUFACTURED.

SUMMARY.

Description and uses.-German silver, albata, and argentine are alloy composed of copper, nickel, and zinc. In the United States the three alloys are placed in one group and called nickel silver.

The alloy is white or slightly yellow in color and resists corrosion better than either zinc or copper. It is used as a base metal in the manufacture of high grade plated silverware, replacing britannia metal and pewter for this purpose. Considerable amounts are used in the manufacture of scientific instruments.

Domestic production.-The United States is the largest manufacturer of nickel silver in the world, supplying the large domestic silverware industry and exporting considerable amounts to Canada.

Foreign production. England and Germany are the principal foreign producers; most of their production is consumed in the home market.

Imports.--Imports to the United States are confined to scrap metal imported for remelting and remanufacture.

Competitive conditions and tariff considerations.-The United States, as a producer of nickel silver, is in a very advantageous position. The domestic quotation for copper is standard for the world. Although no important nickel ore deposits are worked in the United States, large quantities of Canadian ores and matte are smelted here and domestic nickel silver producers can buy nickel very advantageously in the New York market.

The domestic zinc quotation is usually a little higher than the foreign, but the value of the zinc in a pound of alloy is small.

The domestic position in the copper market is stable and will remain so for some years, but any extension of Canadian nickel smelting facilities would improve the Canadian position with respect to this important raw material. Canadian manufacturers might then be in a position to produce nickel silver in competition with the domestic industry.

Argentine, Albata, or German silver (nickel silver)—Summary table.

"Argentine, albata, or German silver, unmanufactured, 15 per centum ad valorem."

DESCRIPTION AND USES.

Argentine, albata and German silver are silver white or slightly yellowish alloys composed of copper, nickel, and zinc. The percentages of the different metals vary considerably and albata may contain a small percentage of lead.

Argentine and albata have become synonymous with German silver in recent years. The composition of true German silver was originally 55 parts copper, 24.4 parts of zinc, and 20.6 parts of nickel. This analysis was modified a little to give the alloy better rolling or drawing qualities, but the nickel content never fell below 20 per

cent.

In recent years the alloy has been cheapened by substituting copper for nickel, and now the highest grade manufactured seldom contains more than 18 per cent nickel. The accepted analysis for this grade is now, copper 58 per cent; zinc, 24 per cent; and nickel, 18 per cent.

The chief use for German silver is as a base metal under silver plate. The color is practically the same as silver, and when the plating wears thin the defect is not as noticeable as is the case when copper or brass is used.

Manufacturers of drawing and scientific instruments use considerable quantities of the metal. It resists corrosion under ordinary conditions and is, therefore, admirably suited for this use.

The alloy rolls and draws well, and it is as sheet that most of the production reaches the consumer.

DOMESTIC PRODUCTION.

The United States is the largest producer of German silver in the world. When Canada increases her nickel smelting capacity the domestic production will probably decrease, as Canada is an important

customer.

Materials. Nickel, copper, and zinc are the raw materials used. The domestic manufacturer occupies a strong position as regards his raw materials. Copper is produced here in larger quantities than in the rest of the world combined. The zinc supply is sufficient and shows no signs of exhaustion. In the case of nickel the position is not as secure. Most of the world's nickel is mined at one locality in Ontario, Canada, but as the mining company is of United States capital and the mines are located at a distance from a fuel supply and a market, the bulk of the matte has always been sent to the United States for refining and sale.

Equipment. The alloy mixing and founding plants are simple in design and require little capital outlay. A furnace is used large enough to accommodate the crucible in which the metals are melted. As little, if any, German silver is used in the cast form, the founding plants are usually operated in connection with the rolling and wire mills.

Methods of production. Great care must be exercised in the manufacture of German silver in order that the product may come up to specifications. The copper and nickel are first melted and after a thorough mixing are held at a temperature little above the melting point. The zinc, previously heated to near its melting point, is now added a little at a time and after sufficient time has elapsed for the alloy to become thoroughly mixed, it is cast into bars, plates, etc., for use in the rolling and wire mills.

Organization.-The German silver production is handled and controlled by the large brass producers. The organization is highly centralized in very large plants.

Geographical distribution. Most of the German silver is produced in Connecticut and New York. The raw materials are all readily available in those States and the product is consumed near the manufacturing plants.

Development of the industry.-The demand for German silver fluctuates with the silver market. When silver is low, more sterling sil

verware is used and when silver is high priced, sterling ware gives way to the high-grade plate with German silver base.

The development of the high-grade silver plate industry has been a powerful factor in expanding the demand for German silver. The old idea of plated silver was brass, pewter, or copper, with a thin coat of silver that wore off after a short time. With the increase in the price of silver and, in fact, before that time, there arose a demand for a high-grade plate, capable of withstanding long continuous service. The German silverware covered by heavy reenforced silver plate answered the requirement and is rapidly driving sterling silver tableware off the market.

Domestic production and consumption.-The domestic manufacturers produce enough of the alloy to satisfy the home market and supply relatively large tonnages for export. No estimates of total production are available.

The war caused a large increase in the export trade, but the total production was less than in peace times, due to the restriction placed on the use of the alloy in nonessential industries.

Domestic exports.-Exports were unimportant prior to 1910. In that year nickel silver to the value of almost $100,000 was sent to Canada. The exports dropped to $41,000 in 1911, $56,000 in 1912, and $65,000 in 1913. Canada has always been the most important buyer of domestic nickel silver, but substantial amounts were exported to Belgium, England, and Japan.

During the war exports to Canada increased to $322,000 in 1917, the total exports in that year amounting to over $410,000. Since the armistice exports have showed no signs of decreasing; in fact exports for fiscal year 1919 were the largest on record $499,000.

FOREIGN PRODUCTION.

England and Germany are the principal foreign producers. These nations supply some metal for export, but the greater part of the production is consumed at home. The present tendency toward smelting and refining Canadian nickel ores in Canada may result in increased production of nickel silver in that country.

IMPORTS.

Imports of nickel silver, which are in large measure old and scrap metal, fluctuate considerably from year to year. No records are available which show the exporting nations. A large part of the total is new scrap imported from Canadian plants for remelting. Imports for 1916 were the largest on record in recent years-$4,014.

PRICES.

Prices depend on the composition of the alloy as well as on the supply and demand. Foreign quotations are higher than the domestic because of the fact that the domestic quotations for copper and nickel1 are standard for the world, and foreign quotations for those

1 This statement is subject to occasional lower prices of English and French smelted nickel in Europe, but both England and France must import American nickel to supplement their supplies.

metals are usually greater than the domestic by an amount equal to the freight and handling cost.

TARIFF HISTORY.

In the act of 1883 and 1890, german silver and associated alloys were dutiable at 25 per cent.

The act of 1894 reduced the duty to 15 per cent, but the higher rate was restored in the act of 1897, and remained unchanged under the act of 1909.

The act of 1913 reduced the rate to 15 per cent.

COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS.

At present the European market for both copper and nickel is based on the New York quotation, and so long as this factor remains unchanged the domestic manufacturer occupies a very advantageous position. The foreign manufacturer must use the United States metal or buy foreign supplies at an increase over the New York price to cover the cost of ocean freight.

The foreign price of zinc was usually a little below the domestic prior to the war, but the amount of zinc used per pound of German silver is small.

The strength of the domestic position in nickel is based on the large nickel refining industry located near New York City. New York is an ideal location for the refining industry, since fuel supplies are convenient and near-by markets consume large quantities of the metal.

During the war, when the military importance of nickel became apparent, the fact that no Canadian nickel was refined in Canada created considerable feeling against the mining companies. To satisfy popular demand a refinery was built near Port Colburn, Ontario, Canadian alloy producers can now, therefore, obtain refined nickel in Canada and need not import the metal from New York. Argentine, Albata, or German silver-Imports for consumption-Revenue.