The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-04-20
WILLING wOODwORKERs.
THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF A GREAT
FACTORY.

Description OF the Oregon Furniture Com.
Compieted.--An Establishment
Well Worth Visiting.
Oregonian March 29th.
Several times in the past few years THE OREGo-
MAN has taken occasion to notice the remarkable
progress made by the Oregon Furniture Manufactur.
ing Company, their near approach to the perfect in
the production of furniture their industry and bus
Advancement has kept pace with the pro.
gress of the northwest coast. Every news
paper reader knows of the institution, and nearly
every household in Oregon and Washington is orna.
mented with the product of its men and machines.
Hence recital Of its history would be "thrice
told tale" But when an enterprise of such magni-
tude throws aside old bounds aud step enters
into q larger sphere of commerce, 1t merits more
than ordinary recognition. The removal of the Or
egon Furniture Company to
THEIR MAGNIFICENT NEW BLOCK,
Running through from First to Front street between
Taylor and Salmon, is event in the history Of
Portlands trade, In which every who has pride
that readers of THE OREGoNIAN may gain knowl.
edge of the establishment, q reporter detailed
yesterday to visit the new quarters which have just
been completed and moved into. There are three
separate buildings, disconnected only tor security
against fire. but so arranged that they
venient than II they were under roof. Our rep
resentative was shown through by the efficient
rotary, Mr.. VIM. Kapus, who began the tour at the
basement. This apartment is fifty feet wide and
runs through from the Sidewalk OF First to the SIDE
walk of Front street. distance Of $50 feet Besides
this there is an L. As by so feet fronting Salmon
street. The basement is filled principally with fur
niture in knock down" state, mostly OF cheaper
grades of chairs tables, stands, etc. Some idea of
the amount stored in this department can be formed
from the sta ement that nearly one thousand cases
OF chair stock are now piled up therein The build
ing occupied for salesrooms Is four stories high,
sbove the basement) each room being so by 30 feet
The first floor is devoted to carpets, oil cloths,
tains and curtain materials bedding and samples Of
chairs, and TO the business Office. There are two
show windows each 16 feet high and l6 feet wide
the largest on the Pacific coast. The second floor
devoted to
FURNITURE OF EVERY VARIETY,
Embracing BEDROOM suits valued from $25 to 5000
all the product Of their factory and with the
cepton of the walnut made from Oregon timber.
Walnut is imported by the company in large quan-
titles. The third floor is devoted to upholstered
goods inlad tables. psror suits, library sets. pier
and mantel glasses and easy chairs. A description
OF the many fine suits on this floor would be long
drawn out article, and could not do justice to the
display 1t is sufficient to state that the stock is de-
cidedly the finest ever placed on sale in Portland.
On the fourth floor is the reserve stock packed away
by dozens in "knock down shape, to economize
room. In the rear of the store is steam
PASSENGER ELEVATOR,
Running from basement to roof and supplied with
latest improvements to prevent accident. The man.
uiacturing department fronting on Front street is
divided from the salesrooms by o court but every
door is connected by bridges. Power is supplied by
q new boiler and 60 horse power engine built to
order for the company. The water supply is OBJ
tanned from two artesian wells which furnish not
only enough for the boiler but for all other purposes
required On the first floor of the factory proper is
the heavy machinery, planners, cross'eut and whip
the second floor are the dovetailing machines,
lsthes, sandpapering machines, etc. On the third
floor is their large force of cabinet makers
and engravers. In the fourth story located the
finishing, filling. oiling, polishing and upholstering
departments The drying kiln adjoins the south
wall. and contained yesterday $4,000 feet Of ash
lumber
on the first floor of the Salmon street building is
the packing and shipping room, As by 80 feet, and
Immediately above 1t, the carpet sewing and window
shade room Nine girls are constantly employed
sewing carpets and making shades and draperies.
Yesterday the entire force ut work draperies
for the magnificent new residence Of Hon. j. N.
Dolph, which the company are furnishing.
The buildings are
WELL PROTECTED AGAINST FIRE.
All the east doors and windows Of the sslesrooms
have iron shutters tank containing 10000 gal
is connected with iron pipe leading to the base
ment. At each bridge Is fifty feet OF hose, con-
nected with the iron pipe, and laid In position every
manufacturing department to the boiler room and
the days accumulation Of shavings and sawdust Is
swept into II every evening. Except the one under
the boiler, there s not hre in the entire building
Where necessary. the building is heated by steam.
The company give employment In various capsci-
ONE HUNDRED PERSONS
The year round The machinery was put in po-
siton under the personal supervision of the pres-
dent. Mr. Samuel Loewenstein, and works perfectly.
II seems that the controlling desire in the erec-
ton of the new buildings was to facilitate work.
The rough lumber comes in on the first floor and is
dressed and cut into required dimensions; thence IL
IL taken to the second floor to receive such alter
tons as the most improved machinery make;
thence to the third hoor to be put together by hand
thence to the fourth hoor TO be finished ready for
parlor. bedroom, library or kitchen. As the
finishing touches have been put the furniture Is
conveyed across the bridge to the fourth story Of
the salesrooms, and lowered to any floor d, sired
The factory. well the salesrooms, Ia supplied
with steam elevator. Under the arrangements
Just described there 10 not the least waste Of tme
and the expense Of csrtng from factory to store
very considerable item--is saved. The buildings
were erected last year by the company at q cost OF
nearly Sos. 900. aud with the machinery and ground
represent value Of nearly $4,000. This Of course
does not include stock.
THE LUMBER YARD
IL situated on Front street. Hail. and there is
always at hand two years supply Of hard woods 1t
ts hxed rule with the company never to use lum-
Der that has not been thoroughly seasoned.
Now that the company settled In building
exactly suited to their wants and fitted up for pres
ent and future requirements. they invite visitors,
who will be shown through the edihce with pleas.
Only eight years have passed since the insttu-
ton was founded, with Mr.. Samuel Loewenstein
president and Mr.. VIM. Kapus secretary. Under
their able management Il has earned an enviAble
reputation, not only this coast, but In eastern
states. and has merited the succcss achieved. The
Oregon Furniture Company 10 pre-eminently an Ore
gon institution: employing Oregon mechanics. uti-
tai. So long ~ it, Management remains In present
hands, 30 long - Il continues 10 turn out honest
productions and sell them Il market value, Just 20
lon0 will Il prOnper.