The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-26
There FIRE Tricks
in Every Trade
From the Philadelphia Record.

There are, indeed, tricks in all trades;
and it Is sometimes surprising in read
ing technical journals to observe how
openly directions for performing these
tricks are explained and treated of in
matter-of-course way, as though they
were quite legitimate practices. For ex-
ample, in the latest issue of Il prominent
magazine devoted to textile industries
we note rules for obtaining a knowledge
of the processes involved in the loading
of silk" whereby the manufacturer is
enabled TO increase the weight from so
to 60 per cent. without deteriorating any
OF its qualities, with the single exception
that after n considerable lapse of time
II loses its cohesive power, and becomes
friable." 1t Is not stated how long a
time after the goods leave the manufac-
turer's hands this undesirable quality Will
develop; but it is explained that exposure
to the suns rays of silk which has been
. loaded with certain salts of tin destroys
the cohesive power altogether"
The Pennsylvania Railroad company
has employed a chief chemist and staff
for over twenty years for the detection Of
trade tricks So-called "Babbitt metal"
for example, which when genuine Is just
ly celebrated for reducing friction In the
bearings of car journals and in rapidly
revolving shafts, was closely initiated.
On investigation, however, this imitation
was found to contain none of the more
costly metals, and to possess none of
their good qualities Ingenious machines
have been devised for testing the lubri-
eating value of samples of oil before pur-
chasing, ard standards have been fixed
for nearly all important supplies now
purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad
company, and unless the goods conform
to the standard they are rejected. 1t is
estimated that very many thousands of
dollars are saved annually by this sys-
tenn of scientific scrutiny. One of the in
Cidental adV~ntages of such a system is
that the quality of goods offered gradually
| improves.
In the purchase of many articles, SUCH
| as gold jewelry, silver plate, etc, the
| purchaser must depend entirely upon the
! honesty of the jeweler; he, in turn, is
| often reliant upon the manufacturer. The
consequence is that fraud is practiced by
INSCRIPTIONS manufacturers to an extent
which is unknown and unsuspected by
| the public. In England different condi-
| ton exists. Every article of jewelry or
of silver plate which is sold as "lS carat"
gold or sterling" silver is stamped with
the "HalP' or Tower mark after hav-
| ing been tested by the government ex-
perts. There are very severe penalties
| for any attmpt at de ception, and the pur-
chaser of English jewelry or silver plate
having the official mark is reasonably
| sure of getting just what he thinks he
| is purchasing. When old American jew
| elry finds its way to the melting pot at
| the mint a species OF transmutaltion
| sometimes occurs which is just the re-
verse of that which the alchemists
claimed to practice. The articles go into
! the pot looking like gold. and the re-
| sultant metal if often a very base alloy.
| 1t is an easy matter for a dishonest
maker to put fine appearance upon the
surface of very low grade articles of this
| character.
We all know that there are many
| scientific departments of the government
| supporting large staffs of skilled persons
| who devote their time to Investigations
that are sometimes of comparatively lit
| tie immediate interest, and we are led to
| believe and to suggest that 1t might be
| practicable and useful to extend the SER
| vice by ENGRAVING thereon a department
| of tests of commercial articles, such as
| jewelry, plate food products, textiles,
| etc. Such a department could probably
| be made self-sustaining. On payment CT
small fee a report could be furnished
| of the quality of various articles sub
| mitted for examination. This department
would be supplemental to or, perhaps,
| distinct from those now existing in which
original Investigations are made in the in
| terests of public welfare, the results be-
| ing generally found in voluminous gov-
| ernmental reports published sometimes
| several years after the Investigations
| have been made. Prompt commercial re-
| ports would prove of great value not
| only in protecting purchasers from
| frauds that are now perpetrated with i'm
punity, but in protecting honest manu-
| facturers from the killing competition OF
such cheats and In raising the standards
| in all trades