The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-20
CITY 1NTELLIGs SOR
I776-1s7G.

On Saturday the Congressi Jnal Centennial
Committee paid a visit to ne works of the
purpose of examining .he same. Colonel
Barton II. Jenks, Who is the head
of the establishment, was on hand, and had
everything prepared IN order that the visitors
might be given IL ting welcome. AS they
walked from the la aiding to the works dis
tance of about 700 feet, their conversation
seemed to indicat G that they expected viewing
anything put 4 great mandatory. Judge
OF their astorishment when on entering the
gates they TO ind themselves inside of an area of
400 square ,eet, and surrounded on all sides by
busy mechanics. The idea of carrying the Con-
gressioTIal party to Bridesburg was happy one.
No better place could have been chosen to show
the gentlemen from Washington the true state
Ot our manufacturing interests. AS they looked
around them and saw the extensiveness of the
place, their eyes expressed astonishment which
their tongues failed to give utterance TO.
What previous ideas they had formed OF Phila-
delphia and its manufacturing interests were
almost entirely obliterated, the vastness OF the
establishment being so astonishing. As
matter of course, the Colonel was made happy.
Taking charge of the visitors, the affable Colonel
first showed them pump intended for supply
ing water 1t is 800 feet in length, or rather
b eight with the capacity of pumping 1000 gal
Ions per minute. This pump is to be placed in
colliery in Schuylkil county, and if the results
are equal to the antcipations of the buders,
proposals will be made for supplying the city
with water. With this matter little history is
connected. Last year, at Princess Quarry,
Colonel JeDKS eX1lUlJe0 q pump, 81 1eet nlgn
and inches in diameter, which discharged 1900
gallons per minute. Mr.. Graeff, Chief Engineer
of the Water Works, being present, expressed
his satisfaction, and stated that if pump or
number of pumps, could be built to work as well,
he would endorse them.
Returning to his works, Colonel jerks at once
set about the formation of plan to accomplish
the said result, and the end is the pump we
name. The idea is that it will elevate water as
well and as cheaply as is now being done by
Cornish engines. Colonel jerks is sanguine of
being able to furnish the city with 40, 900, 600
gallons of water per diem at an expenditure of
not over SO, ,O00, 600, whereas the city is now
asked to pay $4, 100000 to make effective the
present works and increase the capacity from
1600000 to 100000 gallons per day.
The length of the new pump rather startled
the gentlemen of the delegation, and the Colo
mel was for time kept busy in explaining the
matter OF construction to them. This being over,
the committee were taken into the mandatory
proper; the first thing shown them being an
improved carding machine for the manufac-
ture of blankets and coarse wooen goods. The
machine was invented and has been patented
by Col. jerks. IL is quite novel in construction,
and will proddce in weight about twice much
as the machines in present use do. Next the
visitors were shown an improved cotton-gin,
q companion to one which some weeks ago took
the first prize in the Louisiana State Fair. As
matter of course the Colonel was a little proud
of this invention, and extolled its merits accord
ingly. Next the visitors were shown forty new
looms, almost finished, to be used in the mills
of James P. Bruner 81 Sons. Here again the
fertility of genius on the part Of Col. jerks was
displayed The machine, unlike its predeces-
sors, weaves face size up, and has
facilities for the swell of the lathe while
the shuttle is crossing. In an adjoining room
the committee were shown lot of new looms
for weaving cassimeres, etc, just constructed
for Messrs. Babcock d Morse, of Westerly,
Rhode Island These looms are built almost
entirely of iron, the only wooden portion being
the lathe. They are much less complicated than
The old STYLE and are capable OF doing more
shown what is styled the Clipper" loom. This
loom is calculated and constructed to
weave Kentucky jeans muslins, delaine, plain
and fancy caseimeres, etc, all of which it
operation for the benefit OF the committee, aud
its rapidity of action somewhat startled them,
IT making about 200 picks per minute. The ma
terial turned off was about three-quarters of a
yard in width and eleven ounces in weight.
From this portion of the building a visit was
paid to the foundry, where the visitors did not
larry, on account of the heat. The Bridesburg
Manufacturing Company being an institution
in itself, has accordingly made arrangements
for doing all kinds of work.
In this foundry all the iron work is prepared.
Fifty men are employed, although the full num-
ber is one hundred. There is but one cupoa;
nevertheless its capacity is ten tons per day.
The flying sparks the constant tap, tap, tap of
the hammers, and the sweating workmen gave
to the visitors some idea of what the term
"Philadelphia industry" means. Next the
spindle room was visited Here some twenty
five active workmen were spending their time in
turning out spindles.
We counted Is lathes; and found on inquiring
that 1900 spindles per week were manufactured
for thrOstle or spinning frames, and 500 for self
acting mules. And just at this point we wish to
make depression. Colonel jerks, not knowing
as to be a Journalist, was rather open, and from
him we accidentally gained bit of history.
Much has been said about the 'self-acting mule, v
but scarce anything about the originator nor
was it until this occasion that We were en-
lightened. To Colonel jerks belongs the credit
OF the invention. Seeing the necessity of some
speedy improvement in this particular branch
of machinery, Colonel jerks made trip to
Europe. Like a regular diner-out, he went
through the whole bill of fare; or, in other
words he started at Liverpool visited all the
manufacturing works of England, crossed the
channel, and made the tour of France, thence to
Belgium, Prussia and even TO Russia.
Returning home, he gathered the facts together,
set about work, and the result was the designing
of the "Self-Acting Mule" To give some idea
of the utility OF this invention, we would say,
from information CLEANED, that it is used where
ever cotton or woollen goods are manufactured,
and Colonel jerks has been obliged to organize
separate department for its con-
struction, great has been the demand
Next the delegation visited the machine room,
in which are constructed all the parts of the
throstle or spinning frames, self-acting mules
doublers and twisters, etc. This room is 39S
feet in length and 32 feet in width. About 260
hands are usually employed therein. Adjoining
this was found the carpenter shop, where all the
woodwork is turned out. This room is 110 fee
in length by 32 in width. To show the amount
of precaution taken, we would say that it is as
neat and clean as the sitting-room of any private
IT t6idence.
Next the party entered the polishing room
where were found two men hard at work finish
ishing the steel portions of the different pieces
of machinery. From this place a visit wa;