The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-29

Salmon and %. lb eto lse r.
Onions Ia. 10. &c &c H. H.
pornips; po,a,ns. ;..'... bIbs. &c. lbs.
TN considering these prices note in particular one
thing You are n the fsr%1ns asrs, na A. Tnsp bsnd
and many raised.l
Another large industry also attracts
attention. These are the machinists.
In Birmingham alone, with no outlying
districts, there are about 5000 men en-
gagged in this industry. They are in
very poor condition. Perhaps in giving
scale of prices, il may be as well TO
divide them, and give actual wages.
Below is the summary
Filters, turner's, planers, blacksmiths
and boiler men average at best per
week 24s.-$576.
Regular machinists, drillers. slotters,
proflers, milling machine men, shapers
and gun machinists, 81 to 81 6s., and
sometimes 60 per week-$4.S4 to $6.2S,
and sometimes $9.6S.
Pattern makers average 1854, but
rarely go below this figure. In the first
case, filters, ETC., the wages sometimes
reach 30 and 40s. week, that is $7.20
and SIS. .16 per week, but the former fig
ures are more nearly the present average.
In the second case, that of drillers and
machinists In general, there Is great
deal of piece work, but the wages APP
proximate those given.
The pattern makers run about the
same all the time, but rarely below
figures given. The table given is per
week of SO hours Hours from to 3
for five days and 6 to 12 on Saturday.
Until last July weeks work amounted
to "a hours, but at present ninth-tenths
of the machinists work above hours
One of the greatest difficulties to con-
tend with is the wholesale use Of boy
apprentices. In many large places, one
sees on an average five boys under 1s
years of age, to two men. These APP
prentices receive during their first year.
generally at the age Of fourteen, four
shillings or 96 cents per week. This in
creeses slowly until at the close of their
apprenticeship at 81 years OF age they
receive 1ss or $4.32 per week.
At this age they become troublesome
to the average machinist, skipping
around from place to place for a shilling
or more of raise, and giving the en-
ployer an opportunity to keep expert
enced men at lower rate than their
services demand. The average paid for
rent per week is 5s. or $l.20. Coal can
be obtained for 3d. or 16c. per hundred,
and gas tor 2s. i'd. or 56c. per 1000. In
general / consider the Birmingham
machinist in very poor condition, both
as 10 wages and prospects.
Leaving Birmingham on local train
for the suburbs, we may find the ma
chinests in different condition, for
these people are all about this thriving
town. At Handsworth, are Saugye's
large engine, steamjack, steampump,
hydraulic pump, block and tackle works.
Some 1000 men and 200 clerks are en-
ployed in this immense establishment.
We are politely met at the entrance,
but some find this is difficult establish
ment within which to gain admittance.
A card given by an influential gentle
man, no doubt helps us, but we are
obliged to guarantee that we will neither
speak or question any of the employees
throughout the place, swear we know
nothing regarding engineering and
promise not to question our guide. This
settles it regarding information, but
after all this trouble, we might as well
enjoy what we can see. The different
parts of patented gas engine being put
together, as well as the testing are first
noticed.
In quick succession, we see portable
engines, hydraulic pumps and jacks and
boiler making. A great invention is
peculiar pully or series Of pulleys, which
enable small boy to raise or lower
number of tons Of iron or steel by very
simple process. Further long we see the
use of malleable iron quite apparent.
Various articles are pounded or punched
out of the mass of material. We see
iron, moulded, cut, compressed and even
sawed and shaved, similar to cheese.
There are numerous store rooms, test
rooms, drawing rooms and offices,
while adjoining are men busily
engaged In casting huge shafts
wheels, etc., from the molten metal.
Time is too short. so we hurry back TO
town, trifie disappointed ut not being
able to obtain information, although in
formed we may obtain 1t quite easily by
writing line to the proprietor. This
shall do, and inform you as to retults as
soon as obtained. On the journey back,
we pass q native gypsey encampment,
which is very picturesque, as there are
great number Of them in fancy cloth
ing. If we had time enough, visit to
Gillott's pen factory, would no doubt
form an interesting days pleasure, as
their daily output, so j understand. is
some sixteen tons per day of the fin
ished product.
The public library of Birmingham is
well-lighted, commodius structure,
and well worth a visit. Although de-
stroyed by fire not long ago, 1t has been