The successful test of the first lot of armor plate made by the Midvale Steel Co., is a master of more than common interest. It has been generally held that it was idle to expect the discovery of any process capable of producing such plate of a quality equal to that of the established manufacturers, says the "Engineering Record. " Even if such a discovery were made, the probability that it could become commer-cinlly successful so that large deliveries could be made on time was considered still more problematical. The event leading to the recent tests at Indian Head show that not only is the Midvale Co. able to make good plate, but is also able to turn it out on time, and it is important to recall in this connection that the company's contract was taken at a considerably lower figure than the prices in the tenders of the Carnegie and Bethlehem companies, which have heretofore had a monopoly of the business in the United States.