The Iron Age 1891-10-01: Vol 48

‘THE TIN-PLATE MACHINERY. Among the first to turn their attention to the making of tin-plate machinery, which is now receiving marked attention from manufacturers, were the Leechburg Foundry and Machine Company of Pitts burgh. This firm are now building all the machinery needed for making tin plate, from the raw material to the finished product. The accompanying drawings show the front and side elevations of a doubling shear, for which they have re- ceived orders and one of which will soon be shipped to the new tin-plate plant of Wal- lace Banfield & Co. of Irondale, Ohio. This shear, including the vertical engine and connections, occupies a floor space of only 4} x 8} feet. The principal advantage in DOUBLING SHEAR. | CTL End Elevation. TIN- the design of this shear is found in the fact that the power and connections are allabove the foundation, and that there is a fixed table. The table extends from the pint of the knife blades to the outside of the doubling arm and is placed on the top side and is 28 inches wide. It rests on four ribs, which are cast to the main body of the shears, as shown in the front elevation. These ribs also prevent the bottom knife holder from springing when the shear is cutting. The doubling arm is placed on the under side and is bolted to the lever. This arm hasa stroke of 6 inches, and by having slotted holes where bolted to the shear lever can be set to come within any distance of the table when down to the full length of stroke. By having a fixed table and rigid arm moving to within a set distance of the table, a sheet can be doubled with one stroke, where many strokes were often re- quired to double a sheet perfectly flat. The shear blades for cutting the double off, which also can be used for trimming, are 36 inches long and are made of the best crucible steel. I The Chicago Gas Club was organized last week with a list of 60 members. There were present at the initial meeting, besides a large Chicago representation, gas men from Rockford, Elgin, Macomb, Mil- waukee, South Chicago and Valparaiso. fT. THURSDAY, OCTOBER I, 1891. IRON AGE A temporary organization was effected, | or steel not intended for the construction with F. R. Persons F. H. Shelton as secretary. The ob ject of the club is to promote closer social relations, and to open and maintain handsome permanent club rooms iu Chi- cago. Committees appointed were: On selection of permanent officers, George Yuille, F. H. Shelton, F. R. Person, W. W. Fitz, F. B. Howard; on entertainment, H. D. Harper, F D. Moses, E. E. Morell, J. Stout, D. Felt. They adjourned sub- ject to the call of the president. as president and Freight Rates on Merchant Marine Material. At the last meeting of the Transconti- nental Association a resolution was offered to the effect that the Northern Pacific be of merchant marine vessels, and with the further understanding and condition that if it is at any time found that the continu- lance of the rate herein authorized will seriously endanger the rates established for the transportation of such other iron or steel, or will be likely to result in a re- duction thereof, then the special rate above referred to shall be immediately canceled. In the opinion of the commis- sioners it is desirable to limit the applica- tion of said special rate as far as possible, and they would therefore stipulate the following limitations—i. e., the rate shall only apply upon the articles above named to be used in the construction of merchant marine vessels at Tacoma, when shipped in carload lots of not less than 20,000 pounds each, from Pittsburgh and points common therewith to Tacoma. In case permitted to put in a rate of 80 cents per| it should be desired to make such ship- 100 pounds from Pittsburgh to Tacoma|ment from any point other than Pitts- ‘ ) DIM AZ, nit Side Elevation. PLATE MACHINERY.—DOUBLING upon plates, beams, angle bars, Z bars, T deck beams and steel rods to be used in the construction of merchant marine vessels at Tacoma, Wash. A disagree- ment arising, the matter was referred to the commissioners of the Western Traffic As- sociation, and has been heard by them. Since the hearing the only member then opposing the establishment of the rates has withdrawn his objections, provided the Northern Pacific would agree to cancel the same if found to be applied to other material, or if likely to involve similar re- duced rates to other Pacific Coast termi- nals. The commissioners find as follows: As it appears that all members of the Transcontinental Association have now withdrawn their opposition to the pro- posed action of the Northern Pacific, the commissioners do not feel warranted in re- fusing to permit the proposition to be given a trial, and they therefore assent to the putting in force by the Northern Pa- cific Railroad Company of a through rate of 80 cents per 100 pounds for transporta- tion from Pittsburgh and points common therewith to Tacoma on plates, beams, angle bars, Z bars, T deck beams and steel rods to be used in the construction of mer- chant marine vessels at Tacoma. This with the understanding and upon the con- dition that such permission shall not be so used as to affect the published rates of the association for transportation of any iron SHEAR. burgh, and points common therewith, or to any other point than Tacoma, the com- missioners will be prepared to give the matter further consideration. And in case the rate is found te be applied on other material, or is likely to involve similar re- duced rates to other Pacific Coast ter- minals, the tariff thus authorized shall be forthwith withdrawn. LL A press dispatch from Marion, Ind., says: ‘‘A stock company has been organ- ized here for the manufacture of heavy siege guns by a process invented by Dr. Richard J. Gatling, inventor of the wonderful machine gun known and used throughout the world. Work on the buildings for the plant is to begin im- mediately upon the inventor’s arrival from the East, and the new process is so cheap and so rapid that Dr. Gatling expects to have the first gun ready for a test in four months from now. He declares there is absolutely no question as to the success of his invention. The new gun, he says, will be infinitely stronger and more durable than any now in use. The capital stock of the company is $1,000,000, all of which has been guaranteed.” New Haven’s exports last year were valued at $1,600,000, which is an increase over the previous year. Domestic ship- ments amounted to $109, 296,000. THE IRON AGE. October 1, 1891 SAFES. BURGLAR AND FIRE PROOF. The manufacture of safes in the United States has become an industry of far greater magnitude than is generally supposed, or than would appear possible, considering the small amount of wear and tear, and the consequent long life of a safe. Com- paring the aggregate daily output with the possible number of users, it would seem that the entire country could be supplied in five or six years, to say nothing of those already in use; and yet the rate of pro- duction is constantly on the increase— quite as much so, apparently, as the man- ufacture of other lines of goods of a more perishable character. The Prerequisites of a Fire-Proof Safe are briefly as follows: Proper thickness of walls and doors. This has been found, by actual experience, to give best results at 6 inches. If less—except in the very smallest sizes—it will be insufficient to resist long continued exposure to the high temperature to which it may be subjected. If more, the extra weight does not add proportionately to the strength, and may occasion the destruction of safe and con- tents by causing it to go to pieces if, while hot, it should be subjected to a fall from an upper floor to the ground in basement or cellar. In special cases, however, the above standard of 6 inches may be modi- fied to advantage. For instance, very large safes, for jewelers’ or private bankers’ use, are frequently set on masonry piers, built from the cellar floor to level of floor on which the safe is to be used. As this prevents the possibility of a fall in case of fire, the walls of safe may be and fre- quently are made much thicker, which, of course, increases proportionately the amount of heat and duration of exposure which they can successfully withstand. Material. The material and method of construction of the outer shell of the body and doors should be such as to afford a maximum of strength, with minimum of weight and thickness. Of weight, for the reason given above. Of thickness, because the conductivity of the metal, if too thick, is not sufficient to impart the heat to the ma- teria] composing the filling with sufficient rapidity to prevent burning or fusion of the outer surface exposed to the flame, while the inner surface is at a much lower temperature. And the fusion, once es- tablished, will continue (and may lay bare the filling) even after it has reduced the thickness of metal to what, if it had not been exceeded, would have enabled the conduction of heat into the filling with the same rapidity with which it was ab- sorbed, or, at least, sufficiently to prevent the fusion temperature from being reached at all. Of course the burning away of any considerable portion of the outer shell would be of probably fatal effect, as the filling, having no strength in itself, if ex- posed to direct action of the flame, would rapidly disintegrate and fall away, thus ex- posing the light inner shell and wooden cabinet work, which having no fire-proof qualities independently of the filling, would admit of a speedy destruction of the contents of the safe. The material used in the construction of all parts ex- posed to the direct action of the flame should be a good quality of wrought iron or steel. As a suitable grade of the latter can be bought almost, if not quite, as cheaply as wrought iron, it should have the preference. Being almost as low in carbon as the iron, it is very nearly as re- fractory, and no more liable to fracture while hot. From its homogeneity, its con- ductivity is greater than that of iron, and consequently the liability to burning is less. From the extreme brittleness of cast iron when heated, and the fact that they project a considerable distance from sur- face of the doors and are therefore very much exposed, the hinges should not be made of this material, although this defect is noticeable in many otherwise first-class safes. Malleable iron or cast steel are the most suitable materials for all external hinges Far more depends on their remaining intact than would appear from the claims of salesmen. The lugs, or in some makes the tongue and groove, on the back edge of doors are claimed to hold the latter in position when shut independently of the hinges. But as a matter of fact the diffi- culty of acc»rate fitting is such that there is almost invariably sufficient play to ad- mit of considerable space between the flanges of doors and jambs, if the hinges were removed or broken. The result of this would be the admission of superheated vapor and air to such an extent that the contents of the safe might be damaged or destroyed, when the amount of heat ab- sorbed through the walle would be insuffi- cient to do any damage whatever to the contents. This matter of hinges serves to illustrate the fact that many apparently trivial features in safe construction are really of the most vital importance as re- gards their efficiency. Construction. Some general features of construction have come to be adopted by many of the leading makers, and may be described as the best practice in the present ‘‘state of the art.” The outer frames, front and back, should be made of steel or wrought iron square- root angles, of best quality of material. They should be bent and solidly welded into continuous hoops, having rounded corners of an internal radius of about 2 inches. The shellshould be of a single sheet of good quality of tank iron or steel, bent at corners to same radius externally, and having the ends of sheet meeting in the middle of bottom of shell. For safes too large to admit of the use of a single sheet there should be one forming the top and one-half of each of the ends, and the other forming bottom and other half of ends. The thickness of metal should be from No. 8 English guage for the largest sizes to No. 16 in the smallest. Panel bars of same material and thickness as the angle frames should be riveted to the body sheet, extending and fitting tightly be- tween the angles from front to back. The width of these bars depends on the num- ber used. When there is but one on each of the five sides (top, bottom, back and ends) they should be from 12 inches for the largest to 2 inches for the smallest. The bottom bar should cover joint of body sheet, when but one is used, and the end ones when composed of two sheets. The body sheets should be firmly riveted to the angle frames and panel bars, the rivets being of best quality, and closely spaced to prevent buckling and tearing loose of the sheets when hot. The doorway jamb also the door frame castings should be made as thin as possible to give good sound castings, and none but the best quality No. 1 foundry iron of mixture to give proper fluidity to run sharp and true to mold should be used. The jambs and door frames should have not less than five steps, or, as they are technically called, ‘* flanges,” which should be closely fitted, to leave as little space as possible for the entrance of heated air or steam when doors are closed. The jamb casting to be firmly fastened to front angle frame b means of good, tough tap screws (anneale alter threading), closely spaced and not less than 4-inch diameter for all except smaller sizes of safes. The wheel brackets are fastened to the angle frames and to a! ‘‘washer”’ or short bar placed inside of body sheet by means of square headed tap bolts, also annealed after threading. The wheels should be of broad tread and large diameter, as they enable the moving of safe easily and do not sink into the floor. The outer door plates should invariably be made in one piece of ,°, to ~ inch thick- ness, according to size of safe. They should be very carefully riveted to door casting, the spacing of rivets being not over 3 inches between centers. Insecure fastening of these plates may cause de- truction of the door and contents of safe, as there is great tendency to warping of the plate when heated, and from the con- struction of the door, with its cavities for locks and bolt work it will more readily than any other portion of the safe admit of the passage of hot air should the plates tear loose, The bolt work and locks should invari- ably be placed on the inner face of the door and thoroughly protected by the filling, the only communication with the external surface being the necessary spindles for combination lock and bolt work, and these should be close fitting and of small diameter to prevent conduction of heat to the interior. The bolts should be close fitting, and strong enough to stand the shock of the safe’s falling, as before men- tioned. In all except the smallest sizes there should be vertical as well as horizon- tal bolts, and all should move in unison and without lost motion or there wil! be danger of a lock out. Allof the standard makes of combination locks are good, the choice of any particular make being purely a matter of taste. One of the simplest and yet most im- portant of the features of a reliable safe is the means for excluding the hot air. That something more than the closeness of the fitting of door and jamb castings is neces- sary to render this point absolutely safe may be positively asserted, and yet there are but few makers who seem to view it as anecessity. In all burglar-proof safes and vault doors there is a strip of heavy red wool felt glued into one or more of the grooves in the jamb and upon which the corresponding tongue of the door is forced by means of the pressure bars. The ob- ject in this case is to prevent the intro- duction of liquid or powdered explosives, but there is no reason why the same de- vice applied to the doors of fire-proof safes will not be equally effective in prevent- ing the passage of hot air and steam. Of course a pressure bar on front edge of door is necessary, but a very simple and inexpensive form will answer. Material and Method of Fire Proofing. The last, and probably the most impor- tant, point to consider is the materials and methods used for fire proofing. The req- uisite qualities are a low degree of con- ductivity of heat and the greatest amount of strength in proportion to the weight. Pure hydraulic cement concrete was one of the first materials used for this pur- pose, and by reason of the ‘survival of the fittest” it is more generally used to- day than any other, though many dif- ferent substances have been tried with results varying from good to very bad. Design of Burglar-Proof Safes. In burglar-proof work the selection is more difficult, for the reason that the op- portunity is so readily afforded the maker to conceal dishonest work in the shape of inferior material and cheap and inefficient construction. The only safe method of ordering is on a carefully written contract embodying a fully detailed specification of the essential requirements as to ma- terial and mode of construction, and a personal supervision of the work in all stages of its progress. October 1, 1891 In designing a safe which shall best re- sist the tools and methods of the expert cracksman it is necessary to consider what these methods may be. Of course they can only be here alluded to in a general way, as they are too numerous to mention in detail. If not already posted, the bur- glar commences his preparations by making a careful study of the construction of the particular safe upon which he is to orerate, or, if this is not possible, of the standard work of the maker. By this means he is enabled to ascertain the weakest points, and determines his plan of operations ac- cordingly. He will decide on one of four methods, First, to endeaver by means of wedges, levers, screws, &c., to rip off the plates forming the door or walls, one after another, and thus obtain access to the in- terior by main strength. Secoud, to drill through the door at a point which will THE IRON AGE, ingenuity and skill on the part of the bur- glar will enable him to open in the possi- ble time at his disposal, and as the pur- chaser’s object in buying a burglar-proof safe is to have one that is really such, he must depend exclusively on his own care oron that of a competent representative as to the securing of one which shall have the necessary qualities. Materials in Burglar-Proof Sate, First, as to materials, the qualities abso- lutely essential are the greatest possible degree of hardness, whereby to resist the action of drills and other cutting tools, and the necessary strength and toughness, to prevent its being broken by violence through the use of tools or explosives. For steel safes the material almost uni- versally used to resist drilling or cutting is what is known as *‘ five-ply * metal. This roe $hity 4 ‘ Moypywoy KEELES IRON ANGLE SDE ARK OE SSHOSPoO ow x K f Dy. V U E KE EEEKA BES LEEK Ee . “ pp rr + i} RED FELT PACKING Fig. 1.—Section, Showing Arrangement of Plates. Fig. FIRE PROOF AND enable him to raise the lock dog and throw the bolts. Third, by drilling, to introduce explosives by means of which the door can be biown open—or, at least, so started as to render the opening simply a matter of sufficient force. Fourth, the introduction of liquid or pulverized explosives into the space between the edges of door and jamb, by means of which the outer plate will be sufficiently started to enable the insertion of wedges and levers to tear off the plates piecemeal. No safe maker will claim for his work that it is absolutely impregnable, given unlimited time and facilities to effect its forcible opening. But time is the essential element. A safe, for instance, which can for 48 hours successfully resist the means employed or possible under the circum- stances may forall practical purposes be considered impregnable, even though an extension of the time for a few hours longer would result in its being opened. A safe can be made which no amount of BURGLAR PROOF 2.—Section of 1-Inch Five-Ply Plate.—Full Size. SAFES. is now made by several mills exclusively for the use of safe makers. It is com- posed of five plates of alternate iron and steel, firmly welded in rolling, so as to form a practically homogeneous plate or angle. The proper construction of section should be as nearly as possible the follow- ing: ,s-inch iron, }-inch steel, ,),-inch iron, t-inch steel and ,;-inch iron. The quality of iron used should be of the best, to insure perfect welds and great tough- ness. Within a year or two soft steel has been successfully used in place of iron and gives excellent results. If of proper quality it is better than iron, as its homo geneity renders it better suited to the necessary manipulations of manufacture, and gives greater soundness and con- sequent strength, after tempering and straightening. The quality of hard steel used in the two intermediate courses should be such as will give the greatest possible degree of hardness, irrespective of strength to resist breakage, which latter 533 quality is supplied by the iron or soft steel courses. While safe makers, and users as well, have their different ideas and preferences as to the kind of steel best adapted to burglar-proof work, it is safe to say that, so far as present knowledge and experience goes, there is no better material than carbon tool steel, made of good quality of stock and of proper per- ntage of carbon. Most makers of five- | ply metal will use, if ordered, other alloys, such as tungsten, chromium, &c , but always in addition to the carbon and not in vlace of it, whatever may be the claims to the contrary. But while there are un- questionably certain additions to carbon steel which will impart to it other qualities than mere hardness—great strength, for instance—the former quality, as required in safe material, as obtained from carbon alone, is equal to that from the use of any other known element. This fact has been so often proven, and is so well known to steel makers, that it cannot be considered a matter of argument. The only objection to the use of other kinds of steel is that it costs more, and consequently either the purchaser or manufacturer (generally the former) pays a higher price, without a corresponding gain in quality of the fin- ished goods. oO 5S Construction of Walls and Doors, According to the best practice, the con- struction of the walls and doors should be as follows for a medium-sized safe, very large or small ones, of course, being modi- tied to suit circumstances. As the ac- companying cut can be clearly followed, letters of reference are omitted as unneces- sary: The frames should be made from five-ply square-root angle bars 1 inch thick and from 34 to 6 inches in width, according to size of safe. Aiter being carefully straightened the edges of the bars should be planed true and square, and a rebate 4 x 4 inch cut on the inner face of each edge. The bar is then mitered, bent and welded to form a continuous hoop, but unlike that fora fire-proof safe, the corners are square. One of these hoops forms the front and another the back frame, while the space between, at each of the four corners, is filled py transverse angles, cut from same bar and rebated same as hoops. This forms theskeleton of safe. The outer course of top, bottom, back and ends should be made each of a single plate, if the size admits. These plates should be of 1 inch five-ply metal, and should be planed true and rebated on the front face of all four edges, so as to en- gage and come flush with the outer face of the frame angles. It is of the utmost im- portance, and should be a matter of special attention of the superintendent, to see that these plates fit tightly into their places, and that the joints are close and true, for if otherwise it presents a starting point for | those innocent looking but powerful little steel wedges of the burglar, and mischief may come of it. The second course of plates of 4 inch five- ply (same relative thicknesses of steel and iron as in the 1-inch plates) is next fitted into place, setting closely into the corners of the angles. Owing to the unevenness of the surface of angles and plates, the edges : all internal plates, where coming against them, are fitted by grinding on the emery wheel, instead of planing. The method of fastening each successive course of plates to the one next preceding it is shown in the cut. The countersink head screws used are } inch diameter, 14 threads per inch, and are made of seven-ply bars of same material as the plates and angles, the bars being twisted during the rolling so as to present the hard steel in spiral form. The holes in the outer course of 1- inch plates should not be drilled deeper than to the outer layer of steel, and should be bottom tapped to give the greatest pos- sible effective hold to the screw. The ee i Wie 5 eS _ ae Sern aa Ad Nneniicnemli a ra ¥ | 534 THE IRON AGE, October 1, 1891 tapped holes in the }-inch plates may be punched and machine tapped, as the outer plate protects the screw points. The proper thickness for the walls is 3 inches, and all plates, except the outer course, should be 4 inch—-all, except the last or inner one, to be of five-ply metal; the lat- ter may be of iron or soft steel. It will be noticed that the cut, Fig. 1, shows an an- gle fitted in the corners in second course of 4-inch plates; also in the inner course These should be made from the same ma- terial as the plates of the course in which they occur. They should be firmly screwed to preceding course, as the object in using them is to tie the construction more securely than would be possible were the plates alone used. The spacing of screws in all courses should be made as symmetrical as possible, and should not exceed in any direction 6 inches from cen- ter to center—the location for each suc- ceeding course being as nearly as possible in center of spaces in preceding one; but care must be taken that no two screws shall come in line in the thickness of walls or doors. Door and Jambs, The construction of door and jambs is so clearly shown in cut, Fig. 1, as to ren- der description unnecessary. The thick- ness is 34 inches, the inner course only being of iron or soft steel. The tongues and grooves in both faces are formed by L bars of five-ply metal, or should be, though this is one of the points in which inferior material in the shape of iron or soft steel is likely to be used. If such were the case it would necessitate the drilling of but one 4-inch plate of hard metal after penetrating the outer 1-inch plate, as the thickness of the L bars at the point where they interlock is 14 inches. The bottoms of grooves in both door and jamb should be packed with felt, and the fitting of edges of door plates into jambs made so close as to pinch a piece of ordi- nary writing paper. While such close work is difficult, except to first-class work - men, it is nevertheless possible as well as highly important, and should therefore be insisted on by the purchaser as one of the prerequisites of his specification. After the body and doors of safe have been built and all parts accurately fitted, they should be numbered carefully to indicate their re- spective positions, and the safe taken apart for hardening. This is a matter which re- quires the most careful attention of the superintendent, as upon it depends the driil-proof quality of the safe. No matter how good the quality of material may be, its value depends on whether or not it has been given the full degree of hardness of which it is capable. Before placing in the furnace for heating all screw holes, whether clear or tapped, and all surfaces which the scale formed by the oxidizing action of the heat will affect injuriously, should be pro- tected by a thorough coating of fire clay. After charging the furnace the heat should be raised slowly, so that the plates and angles may have time to absorb it uni- formly throughout their mass. They should be allowed to remain from five to ten minutes, according to thickness, after they have reached a bright red, or in case of 1-inch metal even approaching orange, in order that they may become thoroughly ‘*soaked,”’ when they should be carefully withdrawn and conveyed by means of suitable handling mechanism to the bath for immersion. Herein lies the most critical part of the operation, as on the skill of the manipulator depends the suc- cess or failure of the hardening. While the article must be handled very quickly to prevent loss of heat, it must also be done carefully and surely that it may be held accurately in position over the bath, and then quickly lowered edgewise, so that the immersion shall be practically instantaneous. As soon as covered by the water it should be moved rapidly from |they hold in place by means of hexagon end to end of the bath—always edgewise— | nuts. The bolts should be {-inch diam- and the motion continued until perfectly cold. It is then withdrawn and ready for testing, which should be by a specially hardened drill of the best quality of steel attainable, the latter used in a heavy geared drill press at a speed of not over 10 to 12 revolutions per minute. The testing should be upon all parts of the plate or angle to give average character of the hardening. If the drill shows any sign whatever of cutting the steel after penetrating the outer course of iron, the hardening must be done over, and if not successful, will necessitate the rejection of the article, as almost invariably it will be found to have altered in size after the third attempt to such an extent as to destroy the fit. With careful heating and cooling, however, it need but rarely occur that a second heat is necessary. It is absolutely essential to good work that the cooling bath (pure cold water only) shall have a rapid inflow from the bottom and overflow from top to give sufficient circu- lation to prevent its heating above luke- warm. After all parts of the safe have been hardened and tested they must be straight- ened, as they will be found to have become more or less twisted and buckled. Thisis done without fear of breakage, as the hard brittle steel is thoroughly protected by the iron or soft steel courses. When straight- ened, the safe may be put together finally. There is always more or less fitting neces- sary after hardening, as the size will un- avoidably alter to a slight extent. Of course this must now be done by grinding, and care must be taken that the work is not heated by the emery wheel sufficiently to draw the temper. The attention of the superintendent should be given continu- ously to the reassembling of the parts to see that all screws are carefully and firmly driven, so as to bring the plates solidly together, otherwise he may be sure they will not be as they should. After the re- construction is complete all external joints should be carefully calked to prevent the possibility of starting wed ges in them. The hinges should be of malleable iron or cast steel, heavy and massive in design, and be provided with a continuous hinge bar connecting them from top to bottom in place of the single pin for each, as often used. Unless this device is used it will be impossible to prevent the door from sagging, and the proper closeness of fitting will render this inadmissable. Owing to the continuous tongue and groove in face of door and jamb flanges, it is necessary that the motion of door in opening and closing shall be, for about } inch before contact with the jamb, perfectly rectilinear, as the radial motion imparted by the hinges will not admit of its traveling the entire distance without some compensating mechanism. There are various devices used for this purpose, some of which are very efficient and others beyond expres- sion bad! As the door should be forced tightly against the felt packing it is neces- sary to apply the requisite pressure equally and simultaneously at all points. This is done by means of what is termed the pressure bar, many different designs of which are used, and the efficiency of any particular make of which can readily be determined by a competent superintendent. The Bolt Work must be heavy and strong, the bolts proper of cold-rolled steel, and the bolt bars or frames through which they work (see Fig. 1) should be of mild steel of best quality. The only reliable and secure method of fastening the bolt frames to the door is by means of conical-headed bolts (made of the seven-ply twisted metal pre- viously referred to) passing through and tightly fitted into the inner four }4-inch plates and through the bolt bars, which eter for medium and larger sized safes and threaded 14 per inch. Nuts should fit tightly in the thread—that is, they should require the use of a wrench to screw them into place, as otherwise long-continued jarring on the door may start them -and loosen the bolt work sufficiently to per- mit of wedging the door open. As there is considerable putting on and taking off of the bolt frames during the manipula- tions necessary in construction the work- men will always endeavor to have these nuts work loose in order to facilitate the operation, and as this applies equally to all screws and bolts throughout the entire safe it is well that special attention be given to it. The bolt mechanism should in all cases be double geared—that is, the bolts should all be thrown simulta- neously toward the jamb which they are to engage, being actuated by a prime mover operated either automatically or by hand. It is absolutely essential to the proper working of the bolts that they shall be free from lost motion and act in perfect uni- son, otherwise the probable result will be a lock out, which, as may be supposed, is no trifling matter if the safe be a reli- able one. This it could hardly be if it cannot keep out the maker as well as the burglar. One of the most important re- quirements in connection with bolt work is that it shall bear in close contact against the inner face of the jambs, so that when the pressure bar is turned to relieve the pressure externally there shall be no per- ceptible outward movement to the door. The result of neglect of this point will be to destroy the efficiency of the felt packing and permit the introduction of nitro- glycerine or mealed powder. Locks, The method of actuating bolt work and of controlling it by means of locks, while of ultra importance, is one of the few in which nearly all manufacturers can sub- mit really good devices. Of course, as it is all in plain sight on the door, and con- stitutes the show work of the safe, it naturally receives the most careful atten- tion, and the selection of any particular make may be considered, within certain limits, a matter of personal taste on the part of the purchaser. A few important points, however, it may be well to bear in mind. While any standard make of com- bination bank lock, having not less than four tumblers, will give about 100,000,- 000 of combinations, and cannot therefore be opened by any one not knowing the numbers on which it is set, yet there are sO many cases on record in which the cashier, or person in charge of the safe, has been compelled by force or threats to open it, that it may be considered to have in a great measure destroyed the value of an otherwise impregnable lock. The only real protection then lies in placing it be- yond the power, even of the custodian of the safe, to open it except at proper time during the regular business hours. There is but one way of accomplishing this, and that is by unlocking, or controlling the unlocking, automatically. The time lock, up to the present time, seems to be the only device by which this can be accom- plished, and they are daily increasing in use, notwithstanding that they are com- paratively expensive. Still, as they have become more a matter of necessity than of choice when the value of contents of a safe is considerable, the matter is one which a prudent business man would con- sider as beyond discussion. Time locks, though of several makes, are of two classes. One is known as the ‘*time lock,” pure and simple, the other as the ‘‘automatic time lock.” The former has the function of controlling the operation of the bolt work by means of the combination lock, generally rendering the October 1, 1891 THE IRON AGE, 535 latter inoperative until released, though in some cases it permits the setting up of the combination and engaging the lock dog, but ‘‘stumps” or blocks the bolt work, and prevents its being thrown to unlock. The automatic, as its name implies, not only controls but actuates the bolt work, and permits the opening of the door by merely working the pressure bar. Some automatics perform both functions, of locking as well as unlocking; others the latter only, the locking being accomplished by some independent device. There is still another form, by which the automatic proper—that is, considered independently of the timer—both locks and unlocks, but is controlled by the timer only in unlock- ing. Of the several devices named, the one having the most complete control is unquestionably most desirable, as it leaves nothing to the chance of being neglected through carelessness or forgetfulness. When the safe is required for bank use it is well to have it constructed with an in- side chest, the door of which will be suffi- ciently protected by a combination lock. Of course the construction of door and bolt work of the chest must be equally as good as that of the safe itself, but as a burglar would naturally feel considerably discoursged, after spending the time neces- sary to work his way past the outer door, to find he was still on the outside of one equally formidable, be would probably pack up his kit and depart with his only booty, the glory of having mastered the main door. The foregoing remarks apply equally to burglar-proof vault work as to safes, as their construction is similar, and the same locking devices are employed. The vault vestibule, however, has usually a pair of heavy folding doors, but little less formi- dable than the outer one. These are gen- erally protected by one or more combina- tion locks, but without time lock. Another class of safes very largely used is the Fire and Burglar Proof Safes, made of several different designs, to suit the purposes for which they are required. The most simple is the ordinary fire- proof safe, having an inside burglar-proof chest, which, if honestly made, affords ample protection to the moderate amount of cash or valuables usually deposited in it. The purchaser would do well in selecting a safe of this kind to have it built accord- ing to his own specifications, instead of taking it from stock on hand. The essen- tial requirements are that the frames, plates and general construction through- out shall be the same as described for a full burglar-proof safe, except that no 1- inch material need be used. The question of whether a combination or time lock is necessary will depend on the amount of value to be protected. The location of chest in the safe, whether in top or bot- tom, is a matter of considerable difference of opinion, and there are strong arguments on both sides. If placed in top it is un doubtedly more difficult to furce, as being less accessible to the necessary manipula- tions. On the other hand, is the safe is sub- jected to a bad fall, in case of fire, the chances are that it will go to pieces from the weight of the chest, as it is practically impossible to secure it in this position to enable it to stand so severe a shock. If placed in the bottom it is firmly sup- ported, not only by the frame of safe body, but als» by the filling, and it is therefore reasonably safe. All things considered, the latter position may be accepted as preferable. Steel-lined fire and burglar proof safes are used when more room is required than can be aflorded by achest. They are gen- erally used by jewelers in which to keep their valuable stock. As arule, they are of large size, and fitted up with elaborate cabinet work, containing trays and drawers—the former being used in the showcases during business hours and transferred to the safe at night In these safes the steel lining should be entirely inside of the filling, and should have heavy inside steel doors about 2 inches thick, hung by heavy hinges to the frame of steel lining, and provided with four- tumbler combination lock and heavy bolt work. It has been the practice of some makers to place a steel lining on inside of outer fire-proof doors, having the same character of bolt work as that used on bank safes; but this plan is not to be recommended as compared with the sepa- rate steel doors, as, although in some re- spects it is more convenient, it js not nearly so reliable in resisting an attack. One very great advantage is gained, inci- dentally, by the use of the steel lining. The strength of the safe is so increas<d that it will bear without damage a shock from falling which would utterly wreck an ordinary safe. Fire-proof vault doors, now so generally used in office buildings are among the lines of goods manufactured by the safe maker. The essentials are merely that the doors shall be made to fit closely in their jambs, so that the air space between the outer and inner doors, forming the vesti- bule, shall be properly confined, and thereby make the body of contained air the only medium for the transmission of external heat. Locks and bolt work are matters of taste as to style and make. —_—S EE Important to Coal Men. The United States Circuit Court for the Middle District of Tennessee held, in the recent case of the United States vs. Jellico Mountain Coal and Coke Company, re- ported in the Railway and Corporation Law Journal, that an agreement between coal mining companies operating chiefly in one State and dealers in coal in a city in another State, creating a coal exchange to advance the interests of the coal business, to treat all parties to the business in a fair and equitable manner, and to establish the price of coal, and change the same from time to time, by which 1t was agreed that the price of the coal at the mines should be 44 cents, the freight being 4 cents, and the margin of the dealer should be 44 cents, making the price to the con- sumer 13 cents, and that whenever the price of coal was advanced beyond an ad vance in freights, one-half the advance should go to the mine owner and the other half to the dealer, and a penalty was pro- vided by fine of any member selling coal at a less price than the price fixed by the ex- change, and by which it was forbidden for owners or operators of mines to sell coal to any person other than members of the organization, and for dealers to pur- chase of mivers who were not members, but exempting coal used for manufactur- ing and steamboat purposes from the prices prescribed until all the mines tributary to that market should come into the exchange, or until the exchange could control the prices of coal used by manu- facturers, was within the language of act of Congress, July 2, 1890, declaring ‘every contract or combination in the form of a trust or otherwise, or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States,” and also the monopo lizing, or combination with another to monopolize trade or commerce among the several States, a misdemeanor. em A certificate for increased capita! stock of the American Steel Barge Company was filed in Buffalo, N. Y., Saturday. The increase is from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000. The gompany’s capital stock actually paid in at the present time is $1,800,000. The liabilities do not exceed $100,000. Captain McDougall says that with a very few weeks his yard will be at work on eight new vessels, six of which will be steamers. Tbe yard can now turn out a vessel every 60 days. In a little while it is the inten- tion to turn out one every 30 days. Work will also be begun this winter on a passen- ger ship 450 feet long to run between Dul ith and Buffalo, which will take over a year to build. It will be ready for the World’s Fair. Captain McDougall, for the American Steel Barge Company, signed a contract with outside parties, whose names are at present concealed, for the construction of four steel freight steam- ers for lake traffic, all of which are to be completed and ready for use by the open- ing of navigation next spring. They will be of the whaleback style and are to be 306 feet long, 38 feet beam, 24 feet depth of hold, and are to carry 2500 gross tons on 14 feet 6 inches, with a guarantee of 25 tons additional capacity for each addi- tional inch draft. These will increase the number of steamers and barges to be turned out by the yard this winter to 16, and the gross tonnage to over 50,000. It is surmised that these new steamers are for the Northern Pacific Railroad a San Francisco News. The season for the importation and sale of tin plate is about over. It has been, from a trade point of view, the most prosperous in the decade. The stock at present writing in the hands of importers is said not to exceed 2000 boxes. The stock on hand at the opening of the year was about 45,000 boxes. Imports to date by sea and rail have been 250,000 boxes, consequently there has gone into consumption 293,000 boxes, which have sold in this market at an average of $6.50 per box, making close on $2,000,000. A good deal of the mining machinery exported is specialties patented in this city. A good deal of the Australian busi- ness is of this nature. Much of it also consists of pumps, a great many of which are of Eastern manufacture. Many of the agents of Eastern houses here were repre- sented in the great Australian exposition at Melbourne, and there laid the founda- tion of atrade. And the trade in machin- ery with the colonies is almost certain to be done through this city, as shipping by clipper from New York takes too long a time and the East is too far distant. The New Zealand Government has renewed its subsidy to the Oceanic Steamship Com- pany. We are promised to have two steamers a month after a while, and there is quite a business carried on between San Francisco and Sydney and Auckland es- pecially. Several Australian houses have representatives here, while several houses here confine their attention specially to the Australian trade. It therefore is the best point in the United States for manu- facturers seeking the Australian market to be represented at. I have telegraphed you as to the pro- gramme of the Manufacturers and Em- ployers of California. Since that time a declaration of principles has been issued, but they are in all essentials the same as I telegraped—to promote the manufacturing interests of the coast, to peacefully settle disputes between employers and employed, to check the arbitrary spirit shown in strikes and boycotts, and to preserve the right to decide as to whom they shall or they shall not emplcy. The general aspect of business has been good. Money for the crops is being dia- tributed right and left, and there is a bet- ter feeling all round. The hardware and iron business continues to improve. There bas been a reduction in the price of nails since our last. On September 16 a new list was issued, in which the card rate for iron and steel was reduced 10 cents all round, while wire nails were reduced 40 \ ¥ . Me ‘t me 536 cents on 200-keg lots, under 200-keg lots remaining the same. The base now is: 200 kegs or more iron cut, $2.60; steel cut, $2 70; steel wire, $3.26. Barbed wire is also lower, the base for California galvanized being $4.75 per 100 pounds; by the carload, painted, $4.20. Arrivals by sea since our last include, in addition to a large quantity of merchant iron, steel and hardware, 440 tons of English pig iron, 100 tons of Eastern and 300 tons of scrap. Imports by rail seem to be increas- ing. Forthe past three weeks they em- braced 28 cars of machinery, 27 cars each of iron and steel, 24 cars of wire, 17 cars of stoves, 15 cars each of hardware and pipe, 7 cars of agricultural implements, 4 cars each of steel plates and plows, 2 cars of safes, 1 car each of vault fronts, steel beams, chains and rails, a total of 174 cars, besides 11,396 pounds of copper, 2232 boxes of tin plate and 250 kegs and 45 boxes of nails. This indicates of itself better business. The outlook is indeed good, and the balance of the year will do much to make up for the remissness of the earlier part. I a Sound Views on the Labor Question. Chief Howard delivered an address be- fore the third annual convention of the International Brotherhood of Railway Con- ductors, recently assembled in Louisville, Ky., which abounds in good sense and contrasts favorably with the tone of re- mark frequently heard on similar occa- sions. Speaking of the relations of capita! and labor, he said: ‘‘I have been asked if if I did not, as a general rule, despise cap- italists, and I answered no; that I was a capitalist myself, and the world is full of capitalists. Every human being in the world that has good brains and health is a capitalist; every one who has 5 cents ir his pockets over and above what he owes is a capitalist. It is impossible for capital and labor to conflict with each other. People do not always agree, but capital and labor always go hand in hand, and it is impossible for it to be otherwise. One cannot possibly exist without the other, and such men who are always engaged in trying to excite the envy of the unfor tunates, the malice of the poor, should be considered as enemies to humanity and good society.” If labor agitators and would-be leaders of labor organizations had preached such d