Business: Ice Stones

The Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1850 near the salt deposits of Natrona, Pa., to manufacture alkaline salts of soda. Its process was a failure. Oil found on its land helped to keep it alive for a few years—it became the first company to export refined petroleum from the U. S.—500 bbl. to London at 5¢ a gal. But "Salt" has paid dividends every year since 1863, and last week was able to announce the most profitable year in its history: earnings of $11.79 a share on 150,000 shares of stock....