Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-04
WORKERS In WOOD.
Carpentry Considered in its Applica-
ti0n to Modern Buildings.
THE WIELDER OF SAW AND PLANE
In the Dual Character of Architect and
Builder, Shining in Both.
PITTSBURG A CENTER OF NEW IDEAS

Conspicuous among the guilds or trades
existing in Pittsburg is that of carpentry.
1t is not only the Oldest, dating back to the
beginning of the settlement of the "Forks
of the Ohio, about 1864, but, next to the iron
guild, the most powerful. numerically, and
probably the best organized. Individually
and collectively, the members of this fra
ternity stand high in their profession. They
are originators OF ideas and methods, not
servile followers of antiquated systems.
Under their intelligent treatment, Pittsburg is
fast becoming one of the handsomest cities in
the Union.
The prominence and Importance of the wood
workers art has made the carpenter the lead
ing mechanic upon modern buildings. The
carpenter is ordinarily the virtual if not the
nominal, superintendent of the building upon
which he is engaged. Accordingly he is re-
CURED to know all the peculiarities of the
various trades which enter INTO the cunstruc-
ton of building. He must be familiar not
onIg with his own trade, but he must likewise
know very much about that of the mason, the
bricklayer, the iron worker, the cornice maker,
the plumber, etc. If a building is to be erected
without the assistance of an architect, the car
penter is the first mechanic consulted, and to
him is given the general direction of the under
taking. Therefore the carpenter in reality be-
comes the builder, and SO well recognized is
this that the two terms-carpenter and builder
are used almost anonymously.
He is very frequently called upon to lay of
the ground upon which building is to be
erected. 1t is often the carpenter who pro-
nounces the foundations satisfactory or other
wise before the superstructure is commenced.
1t is the carpenter who sees that the floor
haas t. TO- AkN
penter who prepares the centers for the brick
layer and the mason, and sees that their re-
spective parts of the building are left in proper
condition. 1t is the carpenter, in the wording of
many specifications, who must supply whatever
is necessary to the completion of the building,
and which has not been included In any of the
other trades.
If any new feature of work is introduced in a
building for which there is not a special con-
tractor, it ordinarily falls to the carpenters
lot. Whatever shortcomings there may be in
the plans-whatever errors have been made by
the architect-it becomes the duty of the car
penter to overcome and make compensation
for. 1t is necessary for the carpenter to know
everything about a building from beginning to
end, and the more thorough aud practical his
knowledge the more rapid his advancement
and the wider his field of operations always be-
comes.
There are several distinct stages in the car
penter's career First, the apprentice and
helper; then the common mechanic working
under a foreman; next he becomes foreman.
directiLg workmen under him and has the
superintendency of the building upon which he
is engaged. From this lie easily steps into bus
iness on his own account and takes contracts
for the erection of buildings.
Not unfrequently he combines a theoretical
knowledge Of architecture with his practical
experience as builder, and enters upon pro-
fessional career with decided chances of sue
cess The rate of his advancement from stage
to stage depends largely upon the natural
ability of the man, his care in studying the
various parts of his trade. and close attention
to business. OF course something is attributable
to opportunities, but, all things being equal,
that man who is the most earnest in acquiring
knowledge concerning his trade, who secures a
fund of information from which he can answer
almost any question that may come up in his
daily work, and who provides ready means for
overcoming any unusual difficulties that may
arise, is likely to make the most rapid advance
ment.
Carpentry pure and simple may be defined
as the art of combining pieces of timber for
the support of any considerable weight or
pressure. The theory of carpentry depends
upon two distinct branches of mechanical
science. The carpenter gives his tlmbers their
form by the principles of geometry, and he
adjusts the stress and strain so as to preserve
them in their original shape, by the laws of
mechanics. In the wide range of application
of these branches of science the carpenter
finds ample fields for the exercise of his best
powers; his familiarity with them forms the
foundation of his usefulness and in a measure
aside from the relative importance attaching
to his trade, gives him an advantage over
other mechanics.