The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-28
Crane s. Co. Give Teachers a
Practical Demonstration.
Big Plant In Full Operation
For Their Benefit.
KANSAS ENTERPRISE.
No Need to Go Out of the State
For School Books.
Four Story Building Used Ex-
clusiVeIy by This Firm.

Four thousand people were initiated in
to the mysteries arts and sciences of a
big modern printing and publishing house
through the reception of Crane & Com
pany in this city Wednesday evening. A
large percentage of this number were
members of the State Teachers associa-
ton. and the remainder were Topeka peo-
pie curious to know something of printing
and bookmaking, and glad to take adj
vantage of the excellent opportunity Of
fered by the Topeka firm
1t is safe to assume that not one of the
plant between the hours of 4 in the af-
ternOOn ana $50 at night, had any con-
work accomplished daily BY the company
in its new home on Eighth avenue when
well arranged office. When they left the
office after visiting the four floors of the
Dullulhgs however. each one haQ an lntel-
Hgent idea of the printing and publish
ing business through the courtesy of the
members and employees of the firm
The Thacher building on Eighth ave
tnat 81 C5ane q company ana makes an
excellent home for one of the big enter
ment underwent remodeling to suit the
needs of the heavy publishing business,
conceive of better arrangement or more
perfect conveniences.
chinery and supplies from the old location
on Kansas avenue was completed and the
new home put in absolute order, Crane &
Company felt 50 justly proud of it that
upon It was appropriately arranged to
be held during the session of the State
Topeka firm of publishers furnishes many
Of the school publications now used in
Those who took advantage of the
reception were met in the office by Mr.
George W. Crane. Mr.. Frank Crane, Mr..
others, and taken on q tour of the entire
building. The office is on the second floor
of the building, and after ascending the
stone steps in front and entering the big
midst of polished desks and tables heap
ed high with the publica tons of Crane &
rooms and storage and packing rooms. d.
rectly in the rear, were visited and then
the inspection of the mechanical portion
Of the plant was taken
An elevator was in continuous opera ton
transferring sightseers from the second
TO the fourth, or top moor and here the
This floor is used for the COMPOSING work
and thousands of pounds OF type OF all
the typesetting cases. a linotype machine
and was a special feature of interest to
the visitors. on the fourth floor there
authors. with reference libraries, where
perfect quiet and convenience can be
From the fourth floor the trip of inspec-
tons necessarily became one of descent,
and the bindery was the next department
Of industry F|oldinE cutting sevvins. and
stitching machines were at work, and the
enclosing and finishing of book covers
was in progress. In this department there
as well as a large force of men and an
were busy during the hours Of the recep-
ton. The largest Of the folding machines
was at work on a school primer, and big
come out a moment later in % small pag-
es at the other end. Visitors had the OPP
portunlty OF seeing every detail OF book
making from the time the paper is sent
TO the bindery from the press room up to
the time the finished book IS ready for
shipment and sale
home OF the presses the electrotyping
foundry and the stereOtyping foundry
and four small Jobbfng machines The
electrOtyping foundry is the only one in
every detail 1t is used for the work Of
the trade as well as for the work of the
cludes all manner of plate cutting and
shaving machines. where plates are made
ready for the presses
To the 1000 visitors at the plant during
the hours of the reception the cleanliness
noticeable as its completeness. The plant
is supplied with light, heat and power
against fire there is a two inch f1re hose
on every floor. In addition, all crossing
faneo1s commission every particle Of DIV
waste IS thrown in iron cans, which stand
on legs several inches from the floor, and
such material is used
Lavatories and toilet rooms fitted in the
every floor TO make It unnecessary for
the heads of the different departments to
leave their desks in quest of Information
or in giving orders a perfect telephone
system has been placed In the building
and a small desk telephone is to be seen
on every desk.
One particularly noticeable feature is
the fact that in the mechanical portions
of the plant there is not belt nor piece
of shafting to be found, Every press and
machine is supplied with an individual
electric motor. This is a feature OF econ
Omy and at the same time does away
with dust and dirt
There are 70 families in Topeka support
ed through Crane q Company. and the
cash receipts Of the company last year
amounted to $50 600 and this year it is
expected that the receipts will be con-
siderabIy larger. An inventory of stock
and supplies. which has just been com
pleted, shows the plant to be worth
Sill 00O-
Expressions of surprise as the details
of the printing and publishing work were
unfolded and of commentator at the
completeness of the plant in every de-
partment were to be heard on all sides
during the hours of the reception. Crane
& Company may feel greater pride than
ever over its new home, because several
thousand Kansas people now share in