The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1892-07-07
A FIREWORKS PLANT.
DESCRIPTION OF A LARGE MANU.
FACTORY ON LONG ISLAND.


How the Dangerous Work Is Performed
so as 10 Prevent Grave Disasters.
There are i'll the United States today
right large factories in which fireworks
are made Aside from these eight CON
Germs there are dozen smaller ones. and
from all combined will come not only
the supply for July /, but also the enor
nous supply for the political gatherings
of presidential year a rough estimate
at tine present time indicates that at
least s. 900, 900 will 90 up III smoke IN
1892 in the states alone
To supply this enormous quantity Of
fireworks probably less than LOCO per-
sons are employed.
Down at Parkyille. near Coney Island,
is a piece Of land isolated from any
dwellings, and on it are about thirty
frail, wooden sheds. They look like
dolls HOUSES at distance. and when
close at hand one is amazed 10 discover
that they are Of the tlimsiest character
This is the plant Of one Of the largest
fireworks firms III the world 1t does
not require much questioning to learn
the reason which prompts the erection Of
srch cheap buildings
At some distance from the sheds Is a
low solid structure with Il heavy oaken
door This Is the magazine in which
the powder is stored while awaiting
acquisitions from the sheds one of the
latter, much larger than lis ueighor5
was the first visited 1t is called THE
wet rolling she'd Half dozen men
were ut work within. each assisted by a
boy, who pastes the sheets of damp paper
for the eXpel enced Journeymen to ioll
He can roll gross of cases day As
fast as he completes a bundle tits strung
up to dry Ordinarily this would be a
long process. but 1t is quickened by the
heat from IA big stove. These ceases
vary in diameter from half an inch 10
two inches, and they are made for all
kinds of fireworks, princip lily, though
for rockets and Roman candles. Some
of the former are massive affairs, and
while they are made for tho general
trade their cost precludes the use Of
them except for extraordinary occasions.
In the dry rolling shed girls are EN-
ployed. The work is light and clean
and practically unattended by any
risk, as the loading of the cases is con
Quoted u a distant part of the grounds.
The cases they make are mainly for
the large set pieces. The paper is tim
and Is rolled upon delicate steel rods
The girls are clever and attractive and
seem to be thoroughly happy in their
out Of ths way work shops In another
shed the paper bombs are made. This
work requires much patience and deli
cacy The worker has IL sphere in front
of him and over this he pastcs bits OF
paper until he has half the sphere made.
Then it is put away to dry, and while
this process Is going on he forms the
other half When both halves are
thoroughly dry they are joined together
and additional strips of paper and glue
complete tho bomb, with the exception
of small hole which is left open for tho
reception Of the charge
The work of filling shells IS in the
hands OF IA few men. They labor at Il
bench and certain amount II powder
is poured into the small opening by
means of "a funnel. y ralnmer packs II
tightly, aud when finished il time fuse Is
inserted. Then the opening IS hcrmet-
cally sealed and the bomb is ready for
use.
Passing from one shed to another we
saw at u short distance a substantial
building In 1t IS stored tho powdered
OF which tons are used every
year i'll the manufacture Of fireworks OF
the cheaper grades. Saltpeter, sulphur
and charcoal are the ingredients used III
s'Iuibs and crackers. ColOred fireworks
are for thu 'uust part made o. rhlorate Of
potash, shellac and mineral salts.
The next building visited vas tho one
III which the large rockets arc charged.
On all sides there were Re mute evi=
dences ii perfect cleanliness. The floors
had a pc hsh like that Of highly rubbed
marble, The benches wer Tree of dust,
the windows clean, and tt8 walls Slis.
tened GkJ the floor
How 10 YOU manage b have every
thing sorlean:' the reporter asked.
Constant watchfulnes4 and personal
safety make 1t necessary TO have every
thing clean, replied the sulde. "lhese
floors aud the benches aIs- busted every
fifteen minutes. doubt II you can find