The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-29
Augustus q. Rouru,

~ W NRfsetf -
Among the msny large and truly meri-
'orious Industrial plants located la ne city
n Providence there Is none that has played
! more lmI GRANT iart in the ~induslrlai
-~evelopment OF The city than the
lhber shce plant OF Augustus y. bourn.
hli ably managed concern was founded
1872 ~ George o.. Bourn, who con
Z lued his business until ls17, when ths
m became known as Bourn * brown,
blch was continued TIL 1901, when q
aahge OF firm name was made 10 that OF
bourn, brown * Chafiee, VINO were sue
ceeded In 1861 by the Providence hubter
TO-, an incorporated company. This was
continued until 1894, when II became
merged with the National Rubber 60. OF
Bristol, removing there The buildings
now occupied are located at b3 to 6S Mes
Held ST., and are large and we'll adapted 10
the business, containing 20, 900 sd. II. OF
Moor space, which IS filed with the latest
improved machinery pertaining to the
ruOber shoe Industry. The works are Oh
vided into departments in order 10 facili-
tate the business, each being under a COM
ietent foreman. In the preparation de-
partment the raw rubber Is taken just as 1t
is Imported from BrGzii and IL washed ana
dried, then mixed win comTounds, which
are required 10 vuicanize The same. then
spread into sheets, sent on rolls or drums,
which are wrapped i'm cloths to keep from
stlcsing together, then TO the cutting de-
partment, where they are cut from differ
ent patterns. Mr.. Bourn now manufac-
lures 10 different styles OF shoes, ana 10
different sizes TO each lyle, making the
grand total Of 45, 900 different patterns TO
design ana maintain, After nnishl x the
stoes they aye placed in an oven 1t a tenn
pereture of go degrees for 4 or D hours,
which changes the entire character OF th9
rubber, giving The shoe qualities that VIII
resist both heat aud cold. some OF the
machinery used in the manufacture OF the
various STYLES Of shoes Is very heavy and
massive, and was built from original de-
~ ms especially adapted TO their needs, one
machine observed by the writer weighing
70 IONS. The amount of busiEess done an
nually Is GROWING rapidly, covering every
portion OF the United states and Canada,
while their export trade j. assuming re-
spectacle proportions. Employment IL
furnished for over l75 skilled and expert
enced operators, who sre contsnted with
the management, owing 10 the Iberal
treatment ana the remuneration they re-
ceiye. The weekly pay roll OF the plant
mounts to Sl4C0, or at the rate OF over
w, OO0 per year. some OF the females re-
ceive as high as ga per week, none
earning less than 90, II all depending
upon the skill ano experience OF the per-
SON, As every one is paid by the piece. The
upbuilding OF this successful plant Is the
result of sound business judgment ana
careful management, as well as fair deal
ings with all, and it certainly reflects
credit on the cityof Providence, and the
brains that have played such al important
part in its success. Mir. Bourn is n gentle
man of ripe mental attainments, one that
ia thoroughly conversant with all the de-
tails OF his business, an6 combines all OF
the attributes of n successful business man.
AS an evidence OF the esteem in which he
is held 10y tue PEOPLE OF Rhode Island. 1t
= 49, -. AAn AaaHa-
pied the G~ubeTnstorial chair OF Rhoc>
Island with credit TO himself AND thu
people whom he served. For many years
'Nr. Bourn was out OF business, and was
appointed consul general at Rome, return
jig in 1898, ana again. In 1894. his present
business was revived, he becoming its sole
owner. He stands high in the estimation
of his fcllcw-ciiizens, as well as those In
financial circles, for his sterling worth
and infiexible integrity.