The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-11

WORK was received at the Soutn mills
of the Lackawanna, Iron and Steel
company yesterday. The first real
work of manufacture since the mill
was closed down three months ago for
repairs and added machinery, was ac-
complished.
Not all the machinery was started
nor was a large force of hands em-
ployed. This was on account of the
| unfamiliarity of the men with many
of the appliances recently added to the
plant. During the next two or three
weeks it Is expected that the men Will
become conversant with the machinery
and that operations will continue for
sometime without interruption.
Yesterdays work was pronounced
satisfactory and no considerable delay
| is anticipated on account of any dis
arrangement of the new equipment.
| The improvements cost a large amount
| of money said to approximate three
quarters of million dollars, but the
expenditure has put the plant on par
with any rail mill in the country.
| "Up-to-date" seems to be a tocsin at
the Dickson Manufacturing company's
| plant on Penn avenue. In the course
of a few days a radical Innovation will
have been completed in their core ovens
which face the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western coal branch. This nova
ton means the saving of over $1,000
| annually. and this, too, despite the
| fact that another man will be en-
ployed.
There are five furnaces, three single
and one double connected with the
| ovens. Heretofore these ovens required
| the use of several tons of anthracite
| chestnut size per month. Only one
| surface was heated after the core was
in and it required twenty-four hours
to do the work.
| The change now permits of an entire
crcling flame, ten hours, or over night,
| of heating. and the use of birdseye
| size of coal. Only one-third of the
| amount of coal formerly consumed is
| needed. The extra man is required for
the night shift. Thus one can readily
see how radical the change is. Less
coal and a cheaper grade by nearly 50;
short time to do the heating and more
satisfactory work.
| For nearly week past carpenters
have been engaged in replacing the
buntings and guides in the oxford
shaft, which were destroyed or rem
dered useless by the fire which de-
stroyed the breaker in April last. The
shaft will soon be in shape to permit
of carriage being run up and down.
| During the past few weeks many
minor repairs have been made in and
about the Archibald coliery. Many
thought this pointed to a probable
starting up. This is not so. but
when orders come to resume the col
liery will be in first rate order.
The Delaware, Lackawanna and
| Western colieries worked four days of
eight hours last week, and this week
orders were issued to work ten hours
until further notice at the Continental,
Hampton and Hyde Park.
| The pair of new first motion engines
built for the Sloan mines are being
placed in position in q new and sub
stantial brick engine house at the coll
| liery this week.
The Pennsylvania Railroad company
issued orders last week for the ma
chine shops located at Altoona. to work
eight hours each day and Saturday, a
holiday, until further notice was post
ed.
1t is expected that chambers will
soon be opened in Dunmore vein No
3, which was recently cut by sinking
the Central shaft distance of ninety
feet. The main gang ways are almost
in readiness for operations.
Briggs colliery owned and operated
by the Lackawanna Iron and Steel
company worked five days last week
on the eight-hour shift.
The Hyde Park colliery owned anC
operated by the Delaware, Lackawan'
ma Il Western company was idle yes
terday
The Dodge colliery was idle for {
few days the beginning of this weeI
for repairs on the hosting engines.