New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-26

seen a few moments later holding themselves UP In
front OF a saltwater fountain with their eyes
turned heavenward.
A newspaper man who happened along Just in
time TO catch the closing remarks OF the oler be-
came interested. and followed the across the
street TO his place OF work 1t of those
gigantic structures which have reared themselves
all through the downtown district in the last few
years. The building up to a height Of fifteen
or sixteen stories Six elevators carried the traffic
up and down throughout the day. two OF which
made no stop below the eleventh floor. In the
building were barber-shops lunch-rooms. telegraph
and telephone stations and all the other forms Of
luxuries necessary to the business man OF the
present day. The superintendent OF the building
was found in amiable mood which permitted
him to relax his face into broad smile the sub
Ject OF the heat in the engine-room was mentioned
We'll" said he. IN confess It's a pretty hot
place 20 work in but the men get used to II. and I
hear kick from them. Most OF my men
have worked in the marine service. and they take
10 the work like duck to the water In fact, II
the truth were known, they look upon this work In
the lower regions OF Office building the soft
ert kind OF snap. prefer them to the ordinary
run OF this kind OF help. They by far more
contented and satisfied with their work Then
again. they are more active In performing their
duties than men who have been used to working
the land all their lives. These men have been
brought up in a school where when It came time
into the engne-room in a minute. and you can
take In the situation for yourself" and the super
ntendent turned TO give orders 10 his men regard
ing the repair OF one OF the elevators
Calling to the visitor. he led the way down a
winding flight OF iron stairs into the basement
where the engines boilers. electric plant and air
fans Of the building were located. Hardly had the
bottom OF the stairs been reached before the high
temperature made the persp.ration start on the
forehead o.. the newcomer
You see" began the superintendent I'VE run In
this building all day long and in order that the
may stand II divide the time up making
three shifts OF eight hours each My staff down
here consists Of chief engineer three engineers
three oilers three hremen and three elevator engi
neers; there IA OF each OF these for every
shift that is made. and these have charge OF
plant. which consists OF five engines three
boilers and the eectric-l.ghting and elevator plant
(the elevators here by electricity"
BY this time the two had advanced almost to the
threshold OF the boiler-room and the air seemed
almost like that OF the hot OF Turkish
bath establishment: The men al work were all
pair OF overals The PRESENTATION was pouring of
save when It ran into their eyes
the sss S s0t in here B
oh It's about 40 now"
Billy used to be an engineer on an ocean liner.
cna Hove Ss i. hs tho two services
That's tight; and and, rs many long hour I've put
IN where us deal sight hotter than this. Yes
sir. this is cnch compared with that kind OF
work. You see. We get more air and ventilation
than we did aboard ship. Why, there has only
been one day In all this hot weather that we
haven't had little breeze blowing through this
passageway here" and he led the way to a spot
where there nice breeze coming down from
the street. Several chairs placed around the SPOT
indicated that 1t favored with the presence of
the men when not actively engaged at their work.
The oer whose remarks In tho street had been
the Of the visit had gotten into his working
costume BY this time. and came up to hear what
being said. He also told how no had worked
the engines in the marine service. He ex-
planned how he had grown tired OF that life and
having married. had decided to settle down The
work required in ONCE building just suited him
and he considered himself as resting in an easy
berth.
You see" remarked tho superintendent as
they walked away, that work here can easily
be compared with that Of an ocean steamer The
old saltwater engineers take to this work /
know several myself who have been in the Navy
The engineer the Clearing House. in THE
Times" Building, New-York Life Building and sew
eral others ! could mention have all seen marine
service"
BY this time the reporter was dripping with
perspira ton. and, having all the Interesting
sights In the engine-room, was glad escape 10
the street. where the thermometer registered only
shade.