Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-07

The AMERICAN TENDENCY TO NoIsE.-Those
who are trying to get rid of railway bell-ringing
and steam-engine whistling, have been re-en-
forced by a letter from Charles Bernard of Bos-
ton, in which lie contrasts this American prac-
tice with the way in which they conduct things
in England. He says: "Once we were obliged to
wait for train in the London and Northwestern
railway station at Euston square. To kill time,
we examined the manners and customs. "A
guard approaches us wheeling luggage on a
a common iron truck He passed over the stone
platform in perfect silence. A rubber tire on
the wheels. Clever thought. We read the
numerous signs on the wall Here's one; All
engineers are forbidden TO blow their whistles
int his station What noble souls these direc-
tors have! We looked into the elegant dining
saloon and noticed the chairs shod with rubber,
that no scratching liar CRATE the ear from the
marble floors. Who would not lunch in such a
sensible saloon? A train went out. No bell,
no whistle, no loud callS-nothing save note
or two by the train master, blown on toy
whistle" Here it would be nothing else than
bells, whistles, screams and calls. Surely
Americans, as rule, are not so fond of noise
as not to be able to follow the example
of the English in this respect. The
absurd uproar and firing 10 which the Fourth of
July is devoted ought to be sufficient venti-
alton of any such fondness. But, it is not
alone in railroads that reformation might be
effected The system of beating gongs and toll
ing of bells in large factories to call the hands
together might be entirely dispensed with. In
England a contrivance called the American
devil used for that purpose in the manufacture
ing districts caused so much annoyance and
pain to the ear that the inhabitants petitoned
parliament to forbid its use, which was accord
ingly done asst session.
But not only is the suppression of unnecessary
noise practicable and desirable in regard to
mills; it could be extensively introduced in clat-
terlng machinery by means of the process called
"bushingH-that is to say, placing bits of cloth
or leather on every part OF the machinery that
strikes another part. Those who have visited
large factories have recognized the relief they
felt from the deafening CHATTER of wheels, cranks
and gear Of all kinds, on coming into the open
air. Much OF this might be obViated by the
process above mentioned. Mr.. Bernard illus
trateS this assertion by an account of his visit to
an organ factory. He stood before a large
organ. The action-a vast mass of complicated
levers, rods, valves and trackers-was exposed
to view. What noisy engine it must be when
in mOtionl The bellows were empty, and we
struck the keys to see if they gave out any
sound. Not rattle or jar! Absolute silence
in a piece of machinery more complicated than
a cotton mill. Here noise would be nuisance
A rafting pin would spoil the music. How
this marvel Of silent working was accomplished
was explained to us. 'Bushing;' every part
had been well 'bushed.'" Without this the
instrument would be useless. 1t is the same in
regard to the piano forte action, which to be
agreeable, should move in silence at no expense
Of power or speed. If the leather which covers
the hammer be worn away, the result is q mere
rattle, offensive to the ear.
In a sanitary point of view, it is desirable that
noise should be avoided wherever practicable
1t has q tendency to rTitate the nerves. and if
long continued, to exhaust them, producing
headache and affecting the temper and spirits.
1t IS one OF the causes of the loss Of vitality
which persons employed in factories so fire.
quently experience, and it aggravates every form