Mr. Hatton. Not altogether, sir. As far as your statement goes, it is correct, but to get a removal of 95 per cent of bacteria from the raw sewage, it costs considerably more to do it by the Imhoff tank and sterilization than it does by this process. I just quoted the figures.
Mr. Dow. Then initially, the advantage is that, with equal operating costs a higher removal of bacteria is possible by this process?
Mr. Hatton. Yes.
Mr. Dow. And in addition thereto, there is a certain commercial advantage, in that the product is readily marketable?
Mr. Hatton. Yes.
Mr. Dow. Much more readily marketed than the Imhoff product?
Mr. Hatton. Yes; that is true.
Mr. Dow. As regards the latter phase of the situation, am I correct also in my supposition that the present prices for fertilizers are abnormal, having regard to the prices prior to the war, say 1914?
Mr. Hatton. No; the price of two and a half per unit is the price that existed prior to the war; the price of ammoniacal nitrogen to-day is considerably higher than that.
Mr. Dow. The figures given are based upon what might be considered normal markets, and not upon the present very abnormal prices?