Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-02-22
WASHING CAR LINEN.
THE SYSTEM WHICH IS USED AT THE
PULLMAN WORKS.
Monster Laundry In which 100
Gallons Of sonp. Made the Prem
fses. Are Used Every Day on $4,000
Pieces of Linen.


Gallons of Soap. Made ON the Prem
ises. Are Used Every Day on $4,000
Pieces of Linen.
Big lauudries are commonplace
enough. but laundry which can sub
stantiate its claim TO beiug the largest
IN the world. which uses ton of soap
a day and yet washes none Of the pub
lies linen, would seem 70 be an anon
ally. Such a laundry IL the one az
Pullman. Ills, maintained by the Pull
man Palace Car company for the wash
ing and ironing of the thousands Of
sheets. pillowcases and similar fur
nishings in daily use on it's sleeping
cars throughout the country
The building is a handsome brick and
stone structure of two stories
To this building comes every morn
ing by express soiled linen in carload
lots. These are delivered a the east end
OF the building in square canvas bags
OF uniform size, and each j. carefully
labeled and numbered The work Of
packing and billing the contents OF
these Lacs has been done at six differ
ent depots in the city. where an accu-
rate record Of each day receipts and
disbursements Is kept When the bags
are opened at Pullman the vieces are
recounted and piled IN promiscuous
heap upon the floor No effort is made
TO return 10 car the exact supplies re-
ceivod from it. save in number and
Kinds. A piece Of linen on a Pullman
CIR Is never used "A second time until il
has been returned from the LAUNDRY.
Thus the week > occupant Of a sleeping
car gets fresh sheets and pillowslips
each night
Twelve immense brass hydraulic
washers await the piles which have
found temporary resting place upon the
laundry floor. These piles are wheeled
to the washers in roller baskets and
consigned 10 their care. These washers
are feet long and feet in diameter.
and consist Of large cylindrical shaped
tubs standing on their sides. with open-
ings at the tops. Inside Of each tub Is a
Perforated brass cylinder Ii Is through
an opening in these cylinders the linen
is placed. the she'll holding 200 sheets
and prOportiOnate amount Of smaller
articles. After the admission Of hot wa
ter and certain amount Of soap the
cylinders are set 10 revolving and re-
versing automatically. Pipes carry cold
and hot water TO each washer and the
hot water is always kept ar PIP degrees
In twenty minutes the washing is COM
pleted and the rinsing. first in hot and
afterward IN cold water, and the addi-
ton OF the requisite amount of bluiug
conclude the process Each machine
can wash 400 sheets PEI hour. and -.
600 pieces OF linen day Is the average
amount handled.
The 'wringiug" Of the linen is per
formed by ten hydraulic extract1rs.
These are me tallio circular tubs about
feet in diameter and - inches deem
Within each is perforated conner
basket into which the linen is hacked
These baskets are circular in shape and
revolve !. 900 times minute for 10 or
10 minutes. throwing of the water by
centrifugal force until the contents are
nearly dry. When sufficiently dried the
pieces. which are packed in almost solid
masses, are taken ont by men and placed
In machines called tumblers.
These machines are merely revolvinp
wooden cylinders, with interior arrange
ments for shaking out the mass con
eigned 20 them. In a few moments the
pieces are all separated Girls then
empty the tumblers AMI smooth out
the pieces preparatory 10 consienins
them TO the manSles or ironing ma
chimes.
There are eight Of the largest size du-
plex mangles for car linen. Each con
sists of hollow metallic cylinder 100
inches long and - inches in diameter
There are also five felt covered rollers
coming In contact with each cylinder
Tor the purpose of feeding the pieces
smoothly and absorbing the remaining
moisture. After passing through these
machines, the ironing portions Of which
are Kept at 400 degrees by means OF
steam. the linen emerges beautifully
lroned and finished on both sides. Girls
operate the machines. They also fold.
sort and tie the various articles prepar-
atory 10 the counting and packing.
The packing is done in bundles con
slsting Of ten sheets or % pillowslips.
or an approximate number of napkins,
soWe!s ana the like. These bundles are
placed III canvas boxes. Each box holds
900 sheets or 900 ot the smaller pieces.
The boxes are then sealed and loaded
into cars at the west end Of the build
Ing. These cars go 10 the city by express
and the goods are delivered TO the vari.
Gus stations by express as they may be
required.
The number OF employees needed 70
carry on ths work upon the first door
OF the laundry are 100 woven and one.
NTH OF that number of men. The latter
arc used in the heavier operations. the
girls white capped and white aproned.
attending TO the lighter duties of the
place.
The second fioor is devoted to starch
work, such "a coats and caps Of walters
on the dining cars. Here ironing and
polishing machines of lesser sort are
found. About 80 operatives are here en-.
gagged.
Ihe soap question is an all important
one at the Sdllman laundry. Fifteen
hundred gallons Of soft or diluted soap
Sre used daily. 1t is all made ON the
Premises and amOunfs 90 a ,oo ,~osa