Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-03-07

1t is however on the lines of general
interest to learn somewhat of the par
ticulars of the years work and of the
future prospects of that superior enter
prise.
THE BUILDINGS.
1t will be remembered that the
buildings for the location of railroad
car works were of the early enterprises
at Basic City. 1t will, also, be remem
bered, that they were planned and
placed in admirable position, con-
Meeting with the belt line, branching
from both the Chesapeake and Ohio,
and the Norfolk and Western railroads.
The plant occupies ten acres of land
Including the office, there are eight of
the buildings first erected. Seven of
them are the locations of as many de-
partments for mechanical structure
and finish of railroad cars. They are
of stone foundations and brick walls
and frame work of the best material
upon which architectural proficiency
and builders knowledge and expert
ence were fully displayed, so that the
preparation for such works was well
and judiciously planned and executed.
PERSONNEL OF THE COMPANY.
When the representative of the
SPECTATOR entered the office, more TO
make call to see the new works than
for other purposes, he expected to meet
in the manager, if present, an elderly
person. Such, however, was not the
case. A young man of medium size
and elegant address, who seemed to be
not more than twenty-five years of
age, answered the call, and the news
paper man handing his card, the &C
quaintance commenced. The office, its
arrangements in complete accommoda-
ton for business, in neatness and
severely plain outfit, had in the mean
time made most favorable impression
ON the visitor.
The young and truly accomplished
gentleman, was Mr.. G. D. Pettis, presi-
dent and general manager of the com
pany, whose duties comprise the
actual personal supervision of the
entire works.
Mr.. Pettis, when a youth ten years
ago, commenced his career in the engi-
neering department as craftsman in
the Terre Haute Car Company Works,
10 n
rise in the service he had chosen for
his pursuit in life, he successfully filled
the positions of craftsman, engineer,
purchaser of supplies, and superin-
tendent of the works. Afterwards, he
became the general superintendent OF
the Elliott Car Works at Gadsden,
Alabama.
Mr.. W. w. Pettis, a brother of the
president, is the vice president of the
American Company, and is regularly
present. He was formerly auditor OF
the works in Alabama.
Mr.. o. R. Goldman, who is cashier
of the Queen City Bank, Gadsden, Ala
bama, is the treasurer of the company
at Basic City.
Mr. N. F. Pettis, another brother OF
the president, is secretary of the Ameri-
can Company, and is engaged in the
banking business at Lafayette, In
diana.
Judge J. W. Scales, of GAINESVILLE,
Tennessee, and President of the Ma
tional Real Estate Association, is the
general counsel of the Basic City Com
pany.
THE RTMENTS-SKILLED LABOR
MACHINERY AND MATERIALs-CAR
There are seven different depart
ments, all distinct, but yet complete
whole.
The foundry is first entered where
there are Sc different castings made,
then the forging, and in several sue
cessions is the wood and car erection
shop.
Steam power propels the whole-the
infinitely and delicately arranged ma.
chinery as we'll as the heavier grades
1t appeared marvellous to the writer,
when examining the automatic meth
DDS which executed their work to
seeming perfection. They were dumb
in speech--in all else they worked as
endowed with mind and thought.
In the blacksmith department where
wrought-iron work is done, there are
rs different classes, and in cutting
threads on bolts and nuts, there are &C
different lengths and sizes.
In the dressed lumber, framing, and
pattern departments, from the least to
the largest pieces are adjusted by en-
erring rules, as it is with the foundry
and machine work. If it were not so,
delay and large expense would result
to the works.
Out upon one side of the large area
of ground is the erection department,
where the material coming from the
preparatory shops find their final
positions in demonstration to finish.
The employees average between 125
and 200 men. During the year about
100000 were paid out for labor, which
has been great blessing to Basic City
and vicinity.
About 200 was paid out for such
lumber material as the adjacent coun-
try could supply of suitable character
for car-building. The yellow-pine
lumber, which is of the highest grade
and OF special sizes, comes from North
Carolina and Georgia. A bout $4,000
was the expense account last year fol
this class of material. Air-brakes and
other devices necessary to the compile
ton of cars are obtained from Chicago
and other points where they are made
under patent and other special rights
The company furnishes the Chesa
peake and Ohio railroad with repairs
in all the various castings for theil
work shops at Newport News and Gin
cinnati.