Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-16
A COMPLETE FOUNDRY.
What is Being Done with Iron at the
Capital.

When visitors ask WashingtOnians what this
city produces in the way of manufactures the
reply is apt to include nothing but bricks and
government clerks" which, indeed, have
formed the greater part Of the output here for
many years. The list however, must now be
changed, for the city can boast of the estab-
lishment Of a complete and successful iron
foundry, which is becoming well known even
beyond the city and the immediate neighbor-
hood. The name is the Washington architec-
tural iron and bridge works. located at SD and
Water streets. Mr.. Edward L. Dent, the owner
and general manager, is entitled to great credit
for his enterprise in starting this establish
ment. The ground for the shops was
broken early in November, 1887. and
work was first begun the next April.
The works are on either side of 33d street,
within a stones throw of the river. the build
ing on the east containing the office, drafting
rooms. machine shop, tool rooms, and black
smith shop, and that on the west the foundry
and pattern shop. The machine shop is a
model of convenience, arrangement and neat
ness. and, at the time of the visit of THE STAR
reporter the other day, presented busy ap-
pearance. The power is furnished by a pair Of
3O-horse power engines to the various machines,
which are rs follows: A four-tool planer. a
rotary planer. a radial drill, lathe with
patent tapering attachment, shaper, bolt
cutter, and punching and shearing machine.
WHAT KIND OF WORK Is DONE.
The establishment is at present engaged in
the manufacture Of 80 fire hydrants for the
District-a new patent which prevents the
freezing of the plug-and a quantity of beauti-
full ornamental iron work for the new building
OF the National bank of Washington. One OF
the latest achievements is a perfected ammonia
pump for use in the manufacture of ice. while
experiments are being made on a hand pump
to be attached to q patent refrigerator, by
means Of which the housewife can keep her
stores cool in summer and laugh the ice man to
scorn. An attempt is being made to perfect
car starter to aid the motive power on a street
car in getting the first motion. The idea con-
sists of brass spring so feet long-approxi-
mating to that of Waterbury watch-coiled
around rod running across the car under
meath. The power exerted in stopping the
is to be utilized to coil the spring, which gives
out the force again to start the car
THE BLACKSMITH SHOP
is fitted with five fires and fine l 5OO-pound
steam-hammer, and is prepared to do heavy as
well as the most delicate and artistic work
The foundry is thought to be one of the finest
of its kind in the country. equipped with two
melting cupolas with combined melting capac-
ity Of 10000 pounds an hour and travelling
crane, with 81 feet span and 5 tons capacity.
THE WHOLE ESTABLISHMENT
is lighted by electricity, well warmed, and
always in a condition of neatness as far as pos
sible IN such business. The storage yard is
stocked with 600 tons of pig iron and scrap,
and 500 tons of steel beams Of varying size
There is a well-buit wharf, with 26O feet of
water front. Mr.. Dent has contracts for the
ironwork of number Of large buildings. among
which are the new naval observatory. the
pablo building at Abingdon Va, and the new
quarters of the National Bank of Washington.
The following form the corps of head workers
at the establishment: Edward L. Dent, owner
and manager; I. j. Collins, chief draughtsman;
John Fleming, assistant superintendent and
foreman of machine shop; Victor Edel, foundry
foreman; F. NJ. Weideman, foreman of pattern
shop; Geo. Morrison, foreman of blacksmith
shop. The works furnish employment to about
seventy-fve hands.