The Iron Age 1908-08-06: Vol 82 Iss 6

THE Published every Thursday Morning by David Williams Co., Vol, 82: No. 6. Reading Matter Contents........ page 412 Alphabetical Index to Advertisers ‘* 264 Ciassified List of Advertisers _ 254 Advertising and Subscription Rates ‘‘ 432 REED F, BLAIR & CO. PRICK BUILDING, PITTSBURG, PA. STANDARD CONNBLLSVILLE FOUNDRY PURNACE The Original and only Genuine “STILLSON WRENCH” is manufactured by WALWORTH MFG. CO., Boston, U.S. A. And bears their registered Traae-Mark The Bristol Company Specialists in Recording Instruments } FOR Pressure Temperature and Electricity, etc , etc. The Bristo! Co., Waterbury, Conn. 114 Liberty 8t., New York 45 Vesey S8t., New York Monadnock 'B’ldg., Chicago There's More Money in Samson Spot Cord Than there is in Cheap Grades. Samson Cordage Works, Boston, Mass. TURNBUCHLES iil Cleveland City Forge and tron Co., - Cleveland, 0. DROP = BROS Maspeth New York ms ee G3 oe FORGINGS Pilling & Crane sster7,¢:75 LUFKIN ic Empire B slag. ae Kew York MADE I AMERICA and | me BES N THE WORLD THE LUFKIN ous on Saginaw, Mich., U.S.A. New York, London, Eng. Windsor,’ Can. You can’t make a serviceable roof with an infe- rior roofing material. Therefore, use MF 82 pounds coating ROOFING TIN Its superiority will be shown a:iter many years of efficient service. AMERICAN SHEET AND TIN PLATE COMPANY Frick Building, Pittsburgh, Pa. See our Ad. on page 19. New York, Thursday, August 6, 1908. CRUSHED (Water and Rail Delivery) New York: 115 Bank St. Chicago: Fisher Building. IRON AGE 14-16 Park Place, New York. $58.00 a Year, including Postage. Single Copies, 15 Cents. Quality is the chief re quisite in Big Game Cart- ridges. Every shot must count. For that reason hunters are particu- lar to specify U. M. C. Cartridges. The American Revolver Team won the World’s Championship at the Olympic Matches, shooting U.M.C. Cartridges. The British Team fin- ishing third, also used them. Sell Quality Cartridges—U. M. C. Game season soon opens— Are you stocked ? Union Metallic Cartridge Company, AGENCY, 313 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. BRIDGEPORT, CONN. WATER TUBE O6h4e Babcock @ Wilcox Co., BOILERS ————w 85 Liberty Street, New York ‘* Driven All Over the World ’’ THE CAPEWELL NAIL Holds the Best! Drives the Best! NO imperfect NAILS TO SPLIT the foot. NO dull points to DAMAGE the most brittle or delicate HOOF. NO DANGER of your horse casting a shoe at a critical moment WHEN “CAPEWELL’’ NAILS ARE USED. Made by THE CAPEWELL HORSE NAIL COMPANY Hartford, Conn., U.S.A. JENKINS ’96 SHEET PACKING Flexible enough to bend easily without cracking, soft enough to fill up any slight unevenness of surfaces, but sufficiently strong and tough to resist all pressures of steam. Has been used for years untler all conditions, and has proved its merits in thousands of plants. All genuine bears the Trade Mark, and is guaranteed, JENKINS BROS., New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Londen THE AMERICAN TUBE & STAMPING COMPANY SEE Bripesrort, Corn. PAGE 27 _ MAGNOLIA ruicnon METAL The Standard Babbitt of the World We manufacture | everything in the | Babbitt Line. | MAGNOLIA METAL CO. oe Montreal: 31 St. Nicholas St STAMPING SHEET Stl sues FOLLANSBEE BROTHERS COMPANY PITTSBURG Makers of SHEET STEEL for all requirements, including GALVANIZING ENAMELING TINNING MILK CAN BOW SOCKET FERRULE SHOW CARD TEA TRAY TAGGERS NICKEL PLATING AUTOMOBILE METAL FURNITURE METAL DOOR OAK BODY STEEL RANGE AGE BR ASS NRO COPPER}. GERMAN(stee1 SILVER WIRE LOW BRASS, SHEET BRONZE, SEAMLESS BRASS AND COPPER TUBING, BRAZED BRASS AND BRONZE TUBING : —_—_—_——_ Waterbury Brass Co. WATERBURY, CONN. 99 John St., New York. THE IRON Providence, R. I. Bridgeport Deoxidized Bronze & Metal Co. BRIDGEPORT, CONN. Phosphor and Deoxidized Bronze Composition, Yellow Brass and Alumi- num Castings, large and small THOMASTON, CONN. The Plame & Atwood Mfg. Co. Maautacturers of Sheet and Roll Brass WIRE. Copper Rivets and Burrs Pins, Brass Butt Hinges, Jack Chain messes Burners, Lamps, Lamp Trimmings, & 279 Broadway, NEW YORK Room 508 Heyworth Building, East Madi- son St., CHICAGO, ILL. Rolling Mill Factories WATERBURY, CONN. SCOVILL MFG. CO. Manufacturers of BRASS, GERMAN SILVER, Sheets, — Wire, and 8. Brass Shells, Cups, Hinges, Buttons, Lamp Goods. Special Brass Goods to Order. Factories: WATERBURY, CONN. Depots: NEW YORK CHICAGO BOSTON HenrySouther Engineering Co. HARTFORD, CONN. Consulting Chemists, Metallur- gists and Analysts. Complete Physica) Testing Laboratory. Expert Testimony in Court and Patent Cases. — Artiur 1. Rutter & Go. 256 Broadway, NEW YORK. Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Co. La Salle, Illinois. SMELTERS OF SPELTER AND MANUFACTURERS SHEET ZINC AND SULPHURIC ACID Special Sizes of Zinc cut to order. Rolled Battery Plates. Selected Platés for Etchers oa tatheguaghees™ use, ; Small tubing in Brass, Copper, Selected Sheets for Paper and Card Makers’ use. Steel, Aluminum, German Silver, Stove and Washboard Blanks. &c. Sheet Brass, Copper and Gere ZINCS FOR LECLANCHE BATTERY. man Silver. Copper, Brass and WENN ree kG Scamless Brass and Copper Tube. Copper and Brass Rod. “PHONO-ELECTRIC” WIRE. 105-109 So, Jefferson St., Chicago. NAY Om TRI IPAM AE OUEC MEU LACTASE sya RSC TIE WUTTLD PITT Miedo Bla sete GERMAN SILVER THE SEYMOUR MFG. CO. - - “IT’S TOUGH.” TROLLEY, TELEPHONE 5 Phono-Electric and , TELEGRAPH ; LINES. Mills — BRIDGEPORT BRASS COMPANY Bridgeport Postal Telegraph “ onn. Broadway and Murray 8t., New York. PHOSPHOR-BRONZE GERMAN SILVER NICKEL ANODES Brass, Bronze, and Copper SEYMOUR, CONN. HENDRICKS BROTHERS Sheet and BarCopper, Copper Fire Box Plates and Staybolts, Wire and Braziers Rivets Importers and Deslers in Ingot Copper, Block Tin, Spelter, Lead, Antimony, Bismuth, Nickel, etc. =~ ie 49 CLIFF STREET, - - - - NEW YORK me Tye om THE RIVERSIDE METAL CO. RIVERSIDE, N. J. THE IRON AGE New York, Thursday, August 6, 1908. The Industrial Village at Roebling, N. J. (With Supplement.) One of the marked tendencies in connection with indusirial progress at the present day is found in the provisions made by large manufacturing concerns for the comfortable housing of their employees and those depend- ent upon them. It goes without saying that laborers whose home surroundings are attractive and pleasant and who can enjoy to probably the fullest extent the comforts of life compatible with the circumstances of wage earners, are likely to prove more efficient than those who are otherwise domiciled. There is the in- centive on the part of the men to become more and more proficient in the department of work in which they are engaged, so that their term of service may be lengthened and they and their families continue to enjoy the priv- ileges and comforts which come from a residence in the model village provided for them. It is doubtless with this idea in mind that so many projects for the better- ment of the workingmen’s condition have been started in this and other countries, and with results in many instances which ‘have strikingly demonstrated the wis- dom of the undertaking. One of the more recent efforts to provide a model in- dustrial village for its workingmen and one which has been attended with marked success is ‘that which the John A. Roebling’s Sons Company has built at Roebling, N. J., 10 miles below the city of Trenton, on the south bank of the Delaware River. When it was decided some three years ago to erect a steel plant at this place it was obvious that dwelling houses for the workmen would be required, as there were no housing accommodations in that vicinity. As a result, while the steel plant, or “Lower Works,” as it is called, was in process of con- struction a village was laid out immediately adjacent thereto, the idea being to make it a model in its way and provide comforts which would render the place at- tractive to the workmen as a home for themselves and their families. The New Steel Werks, In this connection it is interesting to note that the new plant at Roebling, which is simply an addition to the company’s extensive manufacturing facilities af Trenton, consists of a steel mill, a blooming mill, a rod mill and a wire mill, with possible additions in the near future. Construction work is still in progress, and at present the company is giving employment at this piace to about 1000 hands. F. W. Roebling has the active management of the commercial and selling departments of the company, while Charles G. Roebling is in charge of the manufacturing and engineering departments, giv- ing personal attention to all the details of the mill and village work, all plans of houses, &c., being submitted to him for approval before anything is done. A few days ago a representative of The Iron Age had the extreme pleasure of visiting this model village at Roebling and gathering some facts concerning it, which are here presented, together with several illustrations, all of which afford an excellent idea of this most inter- esting community of working people. The Village Site. The tract upon which the village is located was orig- inally land comprising three farms of a total area of about 250 acres and extending along the south side of the Deiaware River for a distance of about 1% miles. The whole property is about 40 ft. above the surface of the water, the face of the bluff being several hundred yards back from the river bank. The land as purchased was very rolling, requiring much grading to be done in order to produce the present finely leveled surface. In many places there are “fills” ranging from 8 to 23 ft. The soil is very sandy and in order to stimulate the growth of lawn grass in the extensive park bordering the river front, along the sidewalks and in front of the houses, immense quantities of loam were required as a top dressing. The park is laid off with winding walks bordered here and there with rustic benches, the whole making with the natural growth of trees along the bluff an attractive and restful place of retreat, at the same time commanding a fine view of the river. At one end of this park, which covers probably an area of 10 acres or more, are tennis courts for the use of the villagers. Ground was broken for the work of construction in June, 1905, and the first year 72 houses were erected. In the second year there were 241 of various types put up, making a total of 313, not including three hotels and two store buildings. The main hotel, known as Roebling Inn, and facing the park and river, was built the first year, together with one store building. In the second year the two workingmen’s hotels were erected and the remaining store building. The current year little or no construction in the way of houses has been done, as the housing ac- commodations at present provided are ample for the needs of the community for probably another year or two to come. In the layout of the village the streets are 80 and 100 ft. in width, running parallel with and at right angles to the bank of the river, and lying in a nearly east and west and north and south direction. The wider streets have been planted with maple trees along both sides near the curb line, and the space in front of the houses not occu- pied by the sidewalks has been cultivated in grass plots. The sidewalks are of crushed stone bounded with yellow pine curbing, and the two driveways in the 100 ft. streets are 20 ft. wide, paved with macadam, while in the 80 ft. streets the single drive is 30 ft. wide. Types of Houses, In the village at present are 10 types of houses all constructed of brick with slate roofs in a most substan- tial manner, and fitted with the modern conveniences. It may be interesting to mention that type No. 1 is a two story four room and attic dwelling, with a shed extension in the rear containing toilet. This type of house has yel- low pine trim finished natural, and is built in blocks or rows of 10. These houses are occupied by the foreign laborers, and the rental is $8.50 per month. The foreign laborers are principally Hungarians and Slavs, and their houses are inspected regularly to prevent overcrowding, no one house being allowed to shelter more than six adults. The house known as Type No. 2 is a semidetached two-story and attic dwelling, or as some would call it, a “twin” or “double” house, containing seven rooms, in- cluding a shed kitchen. This house has yellow pine trim, finished natural, and rents for $9.50 per month. Type No. 3 is also semidetached, two stories and attic in hight, and contains eight rooms, with bath. It is steam heated, has cypress trim, finished natural, and rents for $15 per month. Type No. 4 contains six rooms, with bath and shed extension, is steam heated, and is of the semidetached style; renting for $12 per month. Coming to the better class of dwelling and designed for employees receiving a larger income we find Type No. 5, also of the semidetached style and two stories and attic in hight. This has nine rooms, with bath, reception 362 THE IRON hall, butler’s pantry and shed extension. The interior trim is of cypress, finished natural. This type of house is heated by steam and is lighted by electricity. It has a laundry located in the cellar. Type No. 6 is three stories in hight and contains 10 rooms and bath, thus adapting it to still larger family requirements. Each house of this style is 20 ft. wide, has yellow pine trim, finished natural, laundry in the cellar, is steam heated and lighted by electricity. This type is built eight houses to the street block. Type No. 7 is two stories and attic in hight, has eight rooms and bath, butler’s pantry, reception hall and ves- tibule, has cypress trim, finished natural, steam heat, electric lights and laundry in the cellar. Type No. 8 is semidetached, two stories and attic in hight, contains eight rooms and bath, with reception hall and vestibule, and has cypress trim, natural finish. it is heated by steam, lighted by electricity and has a laundry in the cellar. Type No. 9 is two stories and attic in hight, contains eight rooms and bath, has cypress trim, natural finish, steam heat and electric lights. Types Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8 rent for $20 per month, while Type No. 9 brings $18 per month. The exterior treat- ment of these houses is varied to produce attractive street architecture, the resultant effects being such as to re- flect great credit upon the designer of them. A handsome detached cottage two stories and attic in hight represents Type No. 10, which contains 11 rooms and bath, with modern plumbing, butler’s pantry and re- ception hall. This house is trimmed in cypress, finished natural, is heated by hot water and is lighted by elec- tricity. It cost to build about $7000, not including the land, and has every convenience of a thoroughly up to date residence. It rents for $25 per month. It may be here stated that the rents of the various types of houses are based on the cost of each, and are so proportioned that the interest on the original invest- ment is but a small amount after deducting the cost of operation. The entire idea is to afford to the employees of the company a maximum of convenience and comfort in the way of living accommodations for the amount of capital invested and to meet all reasonable requirements. All houses, except types Nos. 1 and 6, are built on lots 30 ft. wide by 100 ft. deep. Those designated as Type No. 1 occupy lots 16 ft. wide by 100 ft. deep, and houses of Type No. 6 occupy lots 20 ft. front by 120 ft. deep. All backyards are enclosed on three sides by a substantial fence of wire netting 4 ft. high, supported by a strong framework. Through the center of all blocks extend 10 ft. alleys for the convenient collection of ashes and garbage and also for the accommodation of delivery wagons, so that all material enters and goes out by way of the backyards. This tends to keep the streets free from litter and reduces the labor of keeping clean to a minimum. The lawns or grass plots between the stoop line and the curb are maintained by the company, which sees to it that the grass is kept cut and the surroundings rendered neat and attractive in appearance. All the tenant has to do is to look out for his back yard and keep it clear of rubbish, although in some instances it is util- ized as a vegetable garden. At the present time the construction of houses has not progressed further than the easterly side of Sixth avenue, extending from Riverside Park to Knickerbocker Way, but the village can gradually be extended westward to the limit of the tract of land acquired as the growth of the industrial plant demands it. The Workingmen’s Hotels, The company maintains a licensed hotel known as toebling Inn, beautifully situated, overlooking the river, where the only licensed bar in the village, a billiard room and bowling alleys are run for the benefit of the work- men and where transients may be comfortably accommo- dated. There are also two hotels for single men, where good board and a single room may be had for the modest sum of $5 per week. The latter buildings are finished in a thoroughly first-class manner, are light and airy and equipped throughout with the modern conveniences. On the main floor is a sitting or reading room, a large din- August 6, 1908 ing room, a well lighted and equipped kitchen, and at the counter near the entrance are periodicals, cigars and other equipment, such as is to be found in the usual hotel lobby. On the second and third floors are 63 single sleep- ing rooms and two large double rooms. The smaller rooms are each furnished with a single bed, two chairs, chiffonier and table, with a rug of sufficient size to nearly cover the entire floor area. The lighting is by electricity and the heating is by steam. On the second floor is also a sitting or lounging room. The lavatory on this floor is fitted with porcelain basins, while to the left are the water closets and to the right the shower baths, all with open plumbing and nickel plated fixtures. In the base- ment is a lunch or “grill” room, as it might be termed, where the wants of the transient visitor may be sup- plied. The second workingmen’s hotel is arranged simi- lar to the one just described, located at the corner of the street, except that it has no “grill” room in the base- ment. AGE The General Store, A feature of every community of workingmen’s homes controlled by an industrial concern giving employment to a large number of hands is the general or company store, where the villagers may obtain supplies of all de- scription. In the present instance a store is maintained by the company in the village of Roebling, but it differs from many, in that it is conducted on a cash basis, or if preferred, accounts may be settled weekly, depending upon the credit of the customer. No script is issued by the company to its men and no money is deducted from the pay envelope for store purchases. It is left optional with the men whether they trade at the store or secure their supplies elsewhere, as nothing is done to restrict the free exercise of their wishes as to the place they may wish to purchase their goods. There is strong competi- tion by reason of the stores in Trenton, which is only 10 miles away, and by the fact that peddlers are permitted to sell their goods through the streets of the village. It is interesting to note that the store was opened in June just two years ago, Manager Samuel Major, who is also postmaster of the village, starting with two clerks when there were only nine families in the town. At present 22 clerks and four teams are kept busy in the various departments supplying the wants of a population which is in the neighborhood of 1400 souls. As showing the growing popularity of the store, it may be stated that June of the current year showed the largest vol- ume of business since the store was opened. As Manager Major puts it, the establishment is a cross between a “general store and a department store, but is gradually working toward the department idea.” In connection with the store is a drug department, which, however, will shortly have quarters of its own immediately adjoining the Emergency Hospital, in the building occupied as the Town Hall. The post office was started in December last and has 172 lock boxes. The Model Bakery. Separated by only a few feet from the store is the model bakery, operated independently of the store, but the product of which is retailed by it. A point empha- sized in connection with the bread baked here is that it is 2 oz. heavier than the regulation loaf. The bakery is on the main street, the bake room being on the ground floor and lighted by four large windows, thus enabling passers by to watch from the outside the operations which are going on within. The bake room is lined with white enameled brick or tile, and the ovens are fired from the rear, so that there is no dust or ashes in the bake room. Up to date machinery for mixing the dough and for doing other work constitutes the equip- ment. Much of the bread that is baked is the Hun- garian loaf of rye, which is extensively used by the foreign employees of the company. On the second floor are the lockers and shower baths for the bakers, also storeroom for the supply of flour, which is sent down through a hopper to the first floor. The arrangement, equipment and general conduct of this bakery has won for it the commendation of the State Inspector, who has pronounced it “the finest in the State.” The village has a regularly organized Volunteer Fire : -egrereepree ee ee Noo ase August 6, 1908 Department of 50 members, with quarters on the ground floor at the corner of the building occupied as the Town Hall at Fourth avenue and Main street. In a large meas- ure, the department is a social organization as well as a sone SS i) _ eed THE IRON AGE 363 The Town Hall. The Town Hall contains on the second floor the Executive Offices of the village and an Assembly Room or hall with a seating capacity of 250, where meetings, ei [ 7 Ty 42 Ss Nn / — og — ‘@ 23m) ] pa | mv 4 na Pi } S256 B3mec —_ DZ24 = 2 @ — o> z o > - Z x2 © 3 ELEVENTH AVE. a 288 * ——— ) ie é aT m > D oO nD “4 © m 9 Dn TENTH AVENUE ff 8039 LOVLNOO AYVONOO3S ‘meyskg [esods]q a3eumog SuyMoyus “Lf 'N ‘Sul[qooy 1B sseIIJA jvlaysnpuy oy} Jo dvyy o ” > 4 \ % \ m FOURTH = AVENUE \ DS m m \ 4 = | \ 2 s\ < "9 3 - > \ =" < ” = ; : _— | a \ | x >.<’ THIRD | AVENUE \ Fo \ Vv oe - \ % ; ois ees \ % A \ | \ 2, SECOND AVENUE \ > ia | \ BD | \ ~ ie fire fighter, and the members take great interest in it. They expect at no very distant date to have independent quarters of their own, which will be more in the nature of a social club. entertainments, dances, fairs, &¢., are held. The use of this hall is given free of charge for the meetings of the various religious denominations, the time being divided according to preference, so that the hours of meeting will not conflict. At the present time no one denomination is sufficiently strong to maintain a church of its own, and therefore the services are held in this hall until such time as the natural growth of the village warrants the erec- tion of church edifices or chapels. Occupying the ground floor on the Fourth avenue side of the building is the barber shop of the village, presided 364 THE IRON AGE over by the only native of sunny Italy in the place. There is also a graded school for the children of the community und an Emergency Hospital, fully equipped throughout and in which is the office of the resident physician in charge, who is employed by the company. He also has his private practice among the villagers. In the hospital next to the doctor's office is the operat- ing room, fully equipped with all the latest appliances likely to be required in case of accident to any of the villagers or employees of the steel works, and beyond this is a ward containing three cots. There is also a dietary kitchen equipped with all that is necessary in this line, as well as linen closet, cabinets, &c. The walls of the operat- ing room and ward are white glazed tile and the woodwork is quartered oak, rubbed to a dead oil finish. Stretchers are used for the transportation of patients to the hospital, the population at present not being sufficiently large to justify the maintenance of an ambulance. An assistant is always in attendance at the hospital. Referring to the halftone supplement accompanying this article, the upper left hand picture of the group is a view looking down Sixth avenue with the house occu- pied by the resident physician immediately in the fore- ground. This house and the three beyond it are Type No. 5. The next four are Type No. 9, and the one at the corner of the street in the distance is Type No. 8, The lower left hand picture of the group is a view down Third avenue, showing rows of houses occupied by the foreign laborers. The houses on the left are Type No. 1, and those on the right are Type No. 4. The picture at the top in the center of the halftone is a view down Fifth avenue, showing the water stand- pipe at the intersection of Main street. This is one of the principal cross streets of the village, having a park- way down the center. The houses in the foreground are Type No. 3. The central picture of the group is the Town Hall and bakery, with the general store at the left. The official shown in uniform in the picture is the chief of police. The picture at the bottom of the central group is the gateway which affords communication between the village and the steel works. A row of laborers’ houses is shown at the left in the picture. The upper right hand picture shows the two work- ingmen’s hotels or boarding houses for single men. The lower right hand picture is a view looking down Main street, showing the water standpipe in the center and houses of Type No. 8 on the corners of the street in the foreground. The chimneys in the distance are those of the steam power plant at the steel works. On the right the second and third houses are Type No. 7 and the fourth house is Type No. 8. Lighting, Water and Sewer Systems, The streets are lighted by arc lamps and all public buildings, together with the better class of houses, as already stated, are lighted by incandescent lamps, the power being furnished by the company at a very low rate. -The electricity for the lights is supplied from the power station of the steel works, use being made of a high tension current, transformed to low voltage at each building. Illuminating gas is supplied to the village from an outside corporation, but the Roebling Company owns its own street mains and furnishes every house de- siring it with gas at $1 per 1000 cu. ft. The village is supplied with a system of water works with fire hydrants on every block and a_ standpipe pressure sufncient for fire protection. The standpipe is located about in the center of the village at the intersec- tion of Fifth avenue and Main street. It is distinctly shown with its surroundings in several of the views of the village constituting the basis of our supplemental plate. The water system is extended to every house and supplies an unlimited amount of filtered water, which costs the tenant nothing beyond the price of his rent. A separate system of sewers is in operation, to which every house is connected, even the cheapest dwellings being provided with kitchen sinks and sanitary toilets. In the diagram showing the layout of the village the sewer system is clearly indicated, together with a sewage disposal plant which is in contemplation, and which will August 6, 1908 probably be built in the near future. This includes screening chamber, septic tanks, primary and secondary contact beds, settling basins and sand filters. A trolley line running between Trenton and Camden passes along the southern boundary of the village, and with the steam railroad, affords ready transportation fa- cilities for the community. Miscellaneous Facilities, At the approach to the village from the station on the Amboy Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad coal pockets are in course of construction and a coal yard is being established, from which supplies of coal will be retailed to the villagers at cost. Near by is a large stor- age yard for such impedimenta as a model village of this character would likely require. There is also an ice house, from which ice is supplied to the tenants of the village. A frame garage nearing -completion, adjoining the storage yard, is for sheltering the automobile of one of the foremen of the steel works. Many of the villagers are owners of motor, rowing or other pleasure boats, for the use of which the Dela- ware River affords excellent opportunity. For the con- venience of these boat owners the company is building at a convenient point a dock of sufficient size to allow even of the landing of river excursion steamers. Several hun- dred yards above the dock are bathing houses for the free use of the villagers, and no expense is being spared to provide everything within reason for the comfort and health of those in the community. For the temporary detention of malefactors a small prison containing three cells is provided at the left in the building constituting the gateway to the steel works, and which is located at the foot of the main street of the village. On the right of the gateway is the time- keeper’s office, the time of each employee being taken as he passes to work and again when he returns to tie village. Credit for the Work. It is interesting to state that all of the engineering work in connection with the project of this model village has been done by the regular employees of the John A. Roebling’s Sons Company, the designing of the buildings and the supervision of their construction being in the hands of Isaac Harby, C. E., ably assisted by C. S. Arms, the resident engineer of the village, who is also a duly elected Justice of the Peace. The ownership and management of the entire prop- erty is strictly a private enterprise in the hands of the company, and it is not the present intention to dispose of any of its holdings to employees. The village is incor- porated, which leaves its administration to its owners. a ee Insulated or Uninsulated Feed Wires for Trolley Lines.—The railroad commissioners of Connecticut have granted the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad authority to use uninsulated feed wires in the construc- tion of the proposed trolley line from Willimantic to South Coveutry, thus establishing an important precedent in the State, and one that may have its influence on electric railroad practice elsewhere. The company frank- ly stated that a saving of one-third in expense would result from the change. The argument made was that insulated wires soon become uncovered because the in- sulation wears off, thus giving a false sense of security, which would never exist were the wires uncovered in the beginning. The commissioners impose strict conditions as to the use of insulators at all points where the break- ing of the feeder supporters would make it possible for the wire to come in contact with buildings or other property. eatin The Lackawanna Steel Company is arranging to oper- ate by Niagara Falls power the quarries which it has leased from the Indians of the Tuscarora reservation, sit- uated in Niagara County, N. Y. Power will be furnished by the Niagara, Lockport & Ontario Power Company, which has secured a franchise for a transmission line across the reservation lands from the Indians. An et aa i ad Ne Sct a ce ec iain i tliat: eae Aoi cana aamitane ie SUPPLEMENT TO THE IRON AGE, AUGUST 6, 1908 Row of Houses in Sixth Avenue. Houses Occupied by Foreign Laborers. THE INDUSTRIAL VILLAGE OF ee at ar *N), Tee . Looking Down Fifth Avenue. Town Hall with Store at Left. View in Second Avenue, Gateway at Right. JOHN A. ROEBLING’S SONS COMBE th Avenue. Looking D« reign Laborers. Town Hall View in Second A USTRIAL VILLAGE OF JOHN A. RO ng Down Fifth Avenue. The Two Hotels for Workingmen. Hall with Store at Left. View Down Main Street—Steel Works in the Distance. nd Avenue, Gateway at Right. ROEBLING’S SONS COMPANY AT ROEBLING, N. J. August 6, 1908 THE IRON AGE 36 A Ransom Motor-Driven Tool Grinder. A water tool grinder fitted with motor drive and vari- able speed control, as made by the Ransom Mfg. Com- pany, Oshkosh, Wis., is shown in the accompanying illus- tration. The belt driven type of this machine was de- scribed in The Iron Age September 5, 1907, and the con- trolling device now furnished on this machine with the motor drive was described November 7, 1907, as applied to the double wheel motor driven dry grinder made by this company. Its application in the present instance differs only in the form of connection between the rheo- stat and the controlling guide. In this case the arm of a field rheostat is joined to the adjustable water guard on the front hood. As the wheel wears down the guard is depressed to keep it as near the circumference as pos- sible and in this way the connecting link or lever moves the arm on the rheostat, increasing the speed of the motor. In this way as the diameter of the wheel de- creases its speed is accelerated to maintain practically the same peripheral speed. Instead, as in former practice, of using the base of the machine as a reservoir for water and depending on A Motor Driven Water Tool Grinder Built by the Ransom Mfg. Company, Oshkosh, Wis., and Fitted with Constant Whee! Speed Control. a band hole in the bottom of the frame for withdrawing sediment, an iron tank, cast in one piece with the side cover plate, is now fitted in the bottom of the base at the opposite side of the machine, as shown in the engraving. This tank holds several pails of water, and the settling pan is large enough to render frequent clearing unneces- sary. The advantage of this arrangement is apparent in that the entire tank with contents can be removed and carried outside of the shop for cleaning. Water is forced up to the wheel by a centrifugal pump located in the bottom of the tank, and having no wearing surfaces below the water, it is not affected by deposits of grit. The pump is driven through a vertical spindle carrying a pulley on its upper end and by a belt from a driving pulley on the wheel shaft on the reverse side of the machine, as seen in the view here shown. The belt runs at a quarter turn over a pair of idlers attached to the tank cover plate, which also serve as belt tighteners. Regulation of the water supply is governed by the valve at the rear of the machine. The tool rest set in the apron in front of the wheel, instead of having a solid top, has openings that permit the water to shoot through without spattering the oper- ator. A motor of any size or make or for any current may be used to operate this grinder, but unless otherwise specified an open type made by the General Electric Com- wn pany is supplied. Tension of the driving belt is regulated by an adjustable idler attached to the rear of the grinder above the motor. A speed controller can be furnished with these machines when a direct current motor is ap- plied, but being a separate attachment is not included as a regular part of the grinder. The machine here shown carries a wheel 20 x 1% in. on an arbor 1 9-16 in. in diameter, with a driving pulley 6 x 4% in.; the base is 20 x 33 in., and the tool with its equipment as here described weighs 950 Ib. —~+-e—____ Magnalium, a Light Weight Alloy. Magnalium is a new alloy of aluminum and magne- sium, lighter than aluminum. This metal has recently been made a commercial possibility to American users, being manufactured in Germany and imported and sold in this country by Morris R. Machol, 32 Park place; New York City. Supplied in the form of bars and ingots for casting or in finished shapes, such as sheets, tubes, plates and practically any form in which brass is furnished, it is available for a wide range of uses. In Europe it has been employed in the construction of airships and dirigi- ble sroplanes. Cast in dry sand, the usual grade of magnalium has a tensile strength of 18,000 to 21,000 Ib. per square inch and an elongation of 3.75 per cent.; cast in iron chills, the tensile strength rises to 22,000 to 25,000 lb. Soft rolled sheets of the alloy show 42,000 Ib. tensile strength and 15 per cent. elongation, and when hard rolled 52, lb. tensile strength and 3 per cent. reduction of area. Magnalium is closer grained, and takes a good polish. Its color is whiter than the grayish looking aluminum. While the specific gravity of aluminum is 2.64, that of magnalium, according to the alloy, is 2.4 to 2.57. It melts at 640 to 676 degrees F., and resists oxidation bet- ter than aluminum. Its electric conductivity is about 56 per cent. of that of pure copper, aluminum being 63.20 per cent. Some special treatment must be given to the alloy in melting, casting, forging, rolling, annealing, draw- ing, machining, pickling and coating, to secure the best results. This has been worked out carefully. ——- ++e-— — Tke Leke Superior Corporation’s Affairs. Six banks and two trust companies of Philadelphia on July 29 bid in stocks and bonds of the Lake Superior Corporation with a par value of $6,666,500, which had been held as collateral by these institutions against a loan to the Canadian Improvement Compariy of $1,611,- 000. ‘The securities were sold at $1,592,687, which nearly equals the amount of the financial institutions’ loan. Zach institution bid on its own holdings with no oppo- sition. The sale does not affect the status of the reorganized Lake Superior property, but simply transfers the con- trol of the Lake Superior Corporation from the New York interests identified with the Canadian Improve- ment Company to the Philadelphia institutions that hold the loan. The foreclosure of the collateral at public sale resulted from an attempt of the Canadian Improve- ment Company to finance the organization of the Con- solidated Lake Superior Company through loans placed in Philadelphia and New York, and the failure of the former to make satisfactory arrangements for an ex- tension of time on the 6 per cent. notes held by the Philadelphia banks. It was reported that the United States Steel Corpora- tion had bought the securities, but this is denied by President W. E. Corey. (a The William Tod Company, Youngstown, Ohio, is about ready to install four gas driven blowing engines at the two new blast furnaces of the Ohio Works of the Carnegie Steel Company, Youngstown. These engines have 42-in. gas cylinders, 80-in. air cylinders and are of 60-in. stroke. The William Tod Company is also building a 32 and 64 x 48 in. horizontal vertical steam engine for the Struthers plant of the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company. FG 366 THE IRON AGE August 6, 1908 The Utica Drop Forge & Tool Company’s Plant. While not remarkable for its size, there are few plants more interesting in their details than that of the Utica Drop Forge & Tool Company, at Whitesboro, near Utica, N. Y. In design, construction, equipment and operation it embodies many of the most modern features supple- mented with not a few original ones, and it is admirably conformed to its purpose, which is the manufacture of nippers and pliers exclusively. The building, in accord- ance with a much advocated practice, is merely a shell to protect from the weather and does not carry the weight of any of the machinery and equipment, these being supported entirely from the floor. A lighter and therefore cheaper construction is consequently possible and extensions and changes can easily be made without interrupting operation. The building is of saw tooth roof construction, but the skylighted faces of the roof are not pointed directly to the north, being purposely given enough eastern exposure to admit sunlight for a short time in the morning, which prevents dampness and con- made” factory. It was unquestionably because of the personal interest which the employes had in the work, and which could not have been expected of an outside contractor’s men, that the reconstruction was accom- plished so rapidly. The Building. Profiting, as was natural, by the experience of the fire, the new building has been made practically fireproof. Although the walls, roof and partitions are of wood in most cases, they are well protected by a sprinkler sys- tem, but as the floor is of concrete, as substantially no inflammable material is used in the shop, and as the forge department is isolated by a concrete wall, the danger of a fire is very far removed. The low insurance rate which has been given on the new plant is splendid evidence of this. The shape of the building, the arrangement of the de- partments, the tracks of the industrial railway system and the points from which the different views given in OFFICE duces to healthfulness. Equal consideration for the com- the other illustrations were taken are indicated in the ae - SS 2 rn eee pitt erne = ane” - ———. - ——___. -—___ __» oa j ' | t | INSPECTING 1 ROOM O Oo Oo Oo O; 1 ° = ——S ee —= —— a ; ° 0 o WV of ! “\~ MACHINE ROOM ee eee | ee | ® ¥ - i DRESSING ROOM y a o O O 0 J@o! : O } O20’ x 22’ 3 ne | — oe \ Y a eT = i | main ENTRANCE DOOR ° 40 y oO ° 0 VY o © 60: ----0--}--o-- | | z ' ! | j @ | ; 1 CLERKS ° | oO ° o fA Oo O oo; 6: nS OFFICE | FORGE || AND Sc ee ENTRANCE! TO'!STORAGE —~ ° > oO oO } Oo Oo FIREPROOF VauLT Oo O enienie HARDENING ROOM | ; 1 SHIPPING!) ROOM i a } OFFICE : ° Oo Oo oi @ 7- | Jw ide ©) = | T ° 8 | zs | eo Pp | : 8 RIVATE a Fig. 1.—Plan of the New Plant of the Utica Drop Forge & Tool fort and health of the employes is shown in the sanitary arrangements. Reasons for some of the unique features of the plant are apparent when the circumstances under which it was erected are explained. On June 25, 1907, the old factory was completely destroyed by fire, with an approximate total loss of $250,000. Instead of laying off the operating force, which would have meant losing many of the men permanently by their going to other places for employ- ment, they were invited to remain at their old wages and rebuild the plant. Practically all of them elected to do this, and the second day after the fire they were set to work clearing away the ruins. Then, under the direction of the superintendent of the works, who designed the new plant, the rebuilding was begun. To get the outside work done and the machinery under cover before winter set in the most easily obtainable and quickest erected material was selected for the construction, wood frame, side walls and roof and wrought iron pipe supporting columns. The foundations are concrete and the arrangement is such that at any time the wooden walls may be replaced by walls of brick or concrete, doing the work in sections, so as not to interfere with the carrying on of manufacturing operations. In eight months from the time of the fire the new plant was erected, equipped and in operation, and the men were back at their old work, proud of their “ home- Company, Industrial Relation Track System and a Key to the Photographs Shown in the Following Pages. Showing the of Departments, plan, Fig. 1. The interior is of standard mill construc- tion with an 18-ft. clear hight under the main beams of the saw tooth roof. This hight. was necessary in the forge department to accommodate the drop hammers, and was maintained throughout, not only to preserve the con- tinuity of the building, but to give extra air space. The excellent lighting is evident from the interior views, and this has been aided very materially by avoiding overhead obstructions and painting the interior walls a_ light color. No direct sunlight enters the building after 10 or 11 o’clock in the morning, except through the side windows, and these have opaque shades to exclude the hot sun’s rays from the west in the afternoon. All through it has been the purpose to make the shop light, airy, comfortable and attractive, and complete in con- veniences that are not too elegant to be freely used. More concerning these general features will be given later. The Shop and Its Equipment, The departments in which the consecutive operations on the product are performed are located so that the work progresses from the rear or south end to the front or north end, or from left to right, as viewed on the plan, Fig. 1. There is a loop made, however, from the inspection de- partment to the grinding and polishing department and back again as the work is inspected between operations. August 6, 1908 THE IRON AGE 397 Fig, 2.—The West End of the Forge and Hardening Department.—-Forges and Hammerg at the Left and Annealing and Harden- ing Furnaces This work is done by girls, who see that any defective parts are thrown out or sent back to be repaired. The continuous movement of the work is in charge of persons solely responsible for it. An electric locomotive and cars covers the narrow gauge track system once every so often according to a schedule, and no wait is made for work which is not ready. This avoids clogging in any one de- partment and has been found to expedite the handling. As giving some idea of the quantity of material handled it is stated that at times a single load will amount to nearly five tons. at the Right. In the forge room, views of which are given in Figs. 2 and 6, are the forges, hammers and annealing and hardening furnaces. The hammers at present installed are rated from 500 to 1500 lb., and foundations are laid and provision made for the addition of more whenever they are needed. A motor-driven blower furnishes air for the blast for the forge fires, for blowing scale from the dies and for augmenting the ventilation. The pipes for the latter extend nearly to the floor and discharge cool air toward the operator of each hammer. Brown & Sharpe annealing furnaces are installed, as well as gas Fig. 3.—The Trimming Presses at the South End of the Machine Department. THE IRON AGE August 6, 1908 Fig. 4.—The Tool Department in the Center of the Machine Shop.—Shows the Heaiing Coils, Lavatories and Electric Loco- motive and Cars at the Left. furnaces, for annealing and hardening the product. Being fitted with pyrometers, the heats can be controlled positively, while, as a check on the operator, a set of Bristol recording instruments in the manager’s office makes a 24-hour record of the heat fluctuations in the furnaces. From the forge department, after tumbling, the work is sent to the trimming presses, shown in the view of the south end of the machine department, Fig, 3. After the work is trimmed it goes to the section of the machine de- partment illustrated in Fig. 5, where the different drill- wm Tl ) -» Mi “<- ing, milling and bench operations are performed, after which the tools are ready for hardening. In the grinding and polishing department, Fig. 7, are located the numerous machines for performing this work rapidly and effectively. The machines are hooded and are connected to a motor-driven exhaust fan, which draws all dust and loose emery from the room and dis- charges it outside the building. So well is this accom- plished that the doors of this room can be wide open and no inconvenience be experienced from flying emery set- tling on any other machinery, and even the floor in the . et eau ee ee Fig. 5.—The East Side of the Machine Department.—Shows the Manner of Supporting Countershafting. CA PAULO LAI a el EA Fe a 5a snail SR RR RH gtr: an August 6, 1g08 room shows no signs of the grinding dust. The nickel plating and bufting are also done in this department; the equipment, though small, is complete enough for the company’s needs. The tool department, Fig. 4, is responsible for making or keeping in repair, or both, the necessary drills, ream ers, counterbores, milling cutters, arbors, jigs. fixtures and special tools. All supplies needed in the manufactur- ing operations are given from this room on orders and record made for the purpose of keeping the cost system, as well as the office record from which the respective sup- plies are ordered. After the final inspection in the inspection department. Fig. 8, the product is delivered to the shipping depart- ment, Fig. 9, at the north end of the building. where it is boxed for shipment or placed in stock in the fireproof vault, which is excavated below the ground level and is THE IRON AGE 399 cated the stenographic force, while the last room is the private office of the vice-president and works manager. A drafting room, complete in its equipment, adjoins the last mentioned office and is conveniently near the man- ager when he has occasion to consult with the draftsmen over drawings and designs. All work requiring it is made from drawings or sketches, which are preserved as a check on the work done and allow making duplicate parts at any time in years to come. Power Supply. 7 The entire plant is driven by electricity (using a total of 275 hp.) purchased from the local company and gen- erated at Trenton Falls, N. Y., 18 miles away. Each de- partment is run by a separate motor, controlled by an autostarter and also at the switchboard by a circuit breaker. The main feed wire entering the transformer vault carries a current of 2200 volts, which, after being reached only through the shipping room. ment also receives and distributes the raw materials and supplies to the various departments, or to the too] room, This depart- Fig. 6.—The East End of the Forge Department. Fig. 8 —The Inspection Department. where they are reissued on order. In all of the handling of the product up to the time that it is received by the shipping department the parts are carried in sheet metal trays or boxes. The pliers, before they are assembled, are routed in these boxes, but with the boxes inverted and the loose pieces inserted ‘in holes in the bottoms of the boxes. As all of the boxes or trays are the same size and have the same number of holes in their bottoms, it is easy to calculate the number of parts at all stages of the handling, and if any disappear at any time they must be accounted for, which is an effective check