Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-04
STEAM POWER.


So %
Greater Care Needed In the Manage.
nent OF steam Engines and Othel
Machtnery. "a
A late number Of the Isci2l0l0gist makes
some sensible and timely suggestions IL
reference to the constantly occurring
proofs, that sufficient care is not bestowed
upon dangerous machinery, and attribu-
ting such occurrences mainly to the TACT
that for the purpose Of economy, incom-
pesent persons are SO frequently kept in
charge of steam engines, etc. The cir
cumstances attending the recent terrible
ferry boat explosion at New York give
these suggestions of the Iecha0l0gist o pc
culiar Significance. It says:
sThe condition Of machinery In many
of our manufac cries is disgraoeful, not 10
say dangerous. We write this from no
hearsay; we know it from daily personal
observation Owners of machinery, in
nine cases out of ten, pay high prices for
their power" but when they have got
their machinery in running order, they
seldom employ competent engineer, but
get some raw hand or ssmart boy" who
thinks be can fire and run an engine. Z"
They claim that neither their profits nor
their business will allow them to pay high
wages for running their machinery; but
after few accidents, for which they have
to pay handsomely, they learn the econo-
my Of keeping their mechanism in repair,
and employing reliable and competent per-
sons to run their engines.
We maintain that it is as much duty of
a manufacturer to examine or to have ex-
amined daily the state of his machinery,
from boiler to journal, as it is to inspect
aud examine his wares. Are not lives
valuable as propelty2 Is not the
health OF an employee of as much conse-
qaence as a bale Of good? And yet we
see dirty and greasy floors in the engine
room; the examination Of the safety valve
often requires the use of lamp; pipes
lesk steam and water; bearings are without
dripping pans; belts are without guards,
and occasionally send q man to thu hos
pital; steam pipes are rusty for want of
paint; rooms are hot and poorly ventilated;
The machinery is crowded; the passages
are narrow; windows are unwashed; light
Is limited; grease and dirt are plentiful,
and noise from unrepaired machinery adds
to the general discomfort.
We charge the whole of such neglect and
carelessness on proprietors, because if they
would employ intelligent and competent
who understand their business,
and took pride in the care and appear
ance of machinery, there would be vast
difference in the general nestness and good
appearance Of the works. In addition to
this, salutary influence would soon be OBJ
served in the health, conduct and feelings
of the employees. We could en-
large upon the advantages which
would result from manufactu-
rers enforcing thorough cleanliness,
watohfulness, frequent examina-
tion, and immediate reports of sll and
everything that gets to be dangerous about
their machinery, or that requires repair;
but the good results accruing from such
are apparent to every mind.
We close by simply remarking that, in
instances where machinery receives the
it demands, there we notice an
amount of satisfaction and honorable pride
on the part of both employer and en-
ployeeS." a..