The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-06-12
OUR MANUFACTURES.
One of Many New Enterprises.

Portland is prominently commercial city
and owes to trade the most of its wealth and
prosperity. Its admirable situation and I'M
surpassed maritime advantages have made it a
source OF supply to the State of Maine. and
since the enlargement of its railway facilities
to the interior of New Hampshire and Yer
mont.
Yet in quiet way it is manufacturing city,
TOO. 1t is true that some of the most preten
tious enterprises in that. direction, and those
that were especially coddled, relieved from
taxation, and otherwise encouraged, have
proved failures. But our craftsmen have not
been idle. Our carriage-makers have long held
an enviable place in their trade. Our furni-
ture-makers lind market for their wares
throughout New England. The product Of
our potteries is held in esteem by all who make
study of ceramics, and the engines turned
out by our machine works make their way
over great railroad lines and supply the power
that sends vessels down our rivers and across
our lakes and seas, and puts great mills in
motion. Those of our industries which are
least protected apparently succeed the best-a
fact OF which the free-traders can make the
most. Little enterprises that have started al
most or quite unnoticed, and make their way
because they give value for value, become
great enterprises and coin money for those en-
gagged in them. For example, but few miles
from here, on the banks of the Saco, prac.
ticed mechanic sometime since, invented a
turning machine" which now excites the
wonder of scientific men and the active inter-
est of great capitalists. The new power loom
which has commanded so much attention of late,
is an invention that promises to work COM
plete revolution in textile fabrics; and, on the
banks of Back Cove is an enterprise which,
starting from the smallest beginnings has
commended itself to the favorable notice of all
who are engaged in using machinery.
Three years ago an old warehouse near the
foot of Hanover street was bought by few
men who formed corporation now known as
the Union Lubricator Manufacturing Com
pany. One Of them hit upon a formula for
manufacturing a new kind of grease a
heavy, sticky compound, almost Of the consis-
tency of tar, and OF a brown color like that of
chestnut just broken from its bur. They
ing oil ever discovered they have proved
their faith by their works. At the first they
found some difficulty in putting the thing on
the market. Now they are turning out over
two tons day of the compound, have cap
tured the commentator of some of the lead
ing practical engineers in the country, and
find the new oil in use on most of the railways
and in the large mills. The nature of the sub
stance and the reasons for its success we leave
for explanation to experts. Marvellous stories
are told of it; and if we can believe the tales
of those who have tested it, it comes nearer
solving the problem of perpetual motion than
any previous experiment has. It is certain
that one of the cars on the Old Colony, which
runs an average of hundred miles day. has
used the grease, without "re-packing," for
over seventeen months, and that a car is now
running on the Portland & Rochester railroad
which was ''packed" last December. Engi-
neers can best judge of the value of these
tests.
This manufacture Of lubricating oil is one of
the many manufactures in Portland which ex-
cite interest and bring profit. Others long
ago worked their way into recognition. Yet
Others are making upon public notice demands
that refuse to be disregarded. Considering
the advancement made in manufacturing
during the past few years within our limits we
are warranted in asserting that the future of
Portland is not wholly dependent upon her
commerce, great and helpful as that is En-
terprises like that of the Union Lubricator
Manufacturing Company are springing up
every day and making money and bringing
wealth to the city.