Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-30
A FORMER NEBRAsKAN's SUCCESS.

a FORMER NEBRAsKAN's SUCCESS.
Henry n. Perky, Head Of the Natural
Food Company, visits Omaha.
Henry d. Perky, a former Nebraskan. and
the discoverer Of shredded wheat biscuit,
is visiting Omaha. He is the head OF the
Natural Food company OF Niagara Falls,
manufacturers Of shredded wheat biscuit.
The Natural Food company have recently
erected the finest Industrial building In the
world as their plant. 1t is not at all in the
nature of a factory, as factories are known
1T is a conservatory-and finer than any
conservatory where education. music or
the sciences are taught. In fact there is
no other such building as it in the entire
world.
On the banks OF the Niagara river, just
above the falls, stands the huge structure.
a wonder OF modern day architecture. It
stands right in the heart Of the choicest
residence section OF Niagara Falls, and
covers three acres-the remaining seven
acres of the company's property being
given over to fine landscape gardening.
In the history Of America there have
been a number OF model factories. There
have been cooperative institutions where
men have been asked to live with nothing
but the golden rule to govern them. But
never has any immense manufactures
undertaking been launched upon the saue
broad. practical platform of ideas as that
OF the Natural Food company at Niagara
Falls. Throughout the whole premises,
inside and out, ideas have been success
fully carried out which have never before
even been suggested.
Entering the conservatory through the
lobby of this administration building one
steps directly into a large foyer or recep-
ton room. All the woodwork in the build
ing is white enamel and Immaculate in its
cleanliness. On either side are writing
and reading rooms for guests who have
occasion to wait in this reception room.
On the roof of the building is a beautifully
appointed roof garden furnished with
palms. %settees and tables which com
mands a fine view OF the river and the
rapids.
Dining Room for Employees.
On the fifth floor Of the administrator
building is a thoroughly equipped dining
room overlooking the river. The object
OF the dining room is not to entertain the
public, nor primarily for the entertainment
of visitors, but every employee at the noon
hour is an invited guest Of the company
and Is served with a splendid lunch. Al
orchestra gallery is provided, where dur
ing the luncheon hour music is discoursed.
The spectacle of this great dining room al
the noon hour is one that fills the visitor
with appreciation of the spirit pervdding
the whole structure of the Natural Food
conservatory. Here the experienced chefs
of the company give practical demonstra-
tons of the use of shredded whole wheat
biscuits.
Among the other unique features Of the
conservatory is an immense convention
hall or auditorium, with a seating capacity
Of 1000, and provided with all modern
conveniences. In keeping with the rest OF
the building it is very handsomely fitted up
and with the liberal ideas and broad
minded generosity of the company, is ten
dered free to conventions.
All the floors OF the building are equip
ped with elaborate lavatories finished in
marble and mosaic and also with needle
and shower baths. One hour of the com
pany's time is allowed each employe every
week, II they choose to take advantage oil
this luxury. But few hotels can match the
sanitary arrangements to be found in the
Natural Food conservatory.
No Walters Are eeded
Around each of the manufacturing floors
extends a visitors gallery, from which ont
can view the making of shredded Who'll,
wheat biscuits without interference to thu
operatives. In the room where the shred
ders are located the company has equippe,
this balcony like a restaurant, but will
a very unique style of service. Instead
Of Mattresses, a miniature trolley system
railroad cars and all, operated by cleo
tricitY. will convey the edibles to the Wis
itors at the plant. At intervals of a few
feet along the line stationary chairs hav
been provided. In front of each seat, an
on a level with the track, there is a SINAI
desk on which is placed a bill of fare an
a tablet. When the order is written it I
placed on one of these fiat bed trolie.
cars and a button pressed. The operate
Of the system turns a switch and the ca
travels rapidly to the electric kitchen
near the center OF the room, where tn
meal is prepared and sent back to tn
visitor; the little fiat bed car serves ais
for a table. This is without doubt one O
the most unique arrangements in exist
ence; 1t is intended solely for prescntin
to the visitor the various dishes which ca.
be prepared from shredded wheat.
This is the largest and finest industrial
building in America, is a monument t
what Mr.. Henry D. Perky, its head, foun
? hidden in a grain of wheat.
Mr.. Perky lived at Wahoo, Neb., severa
years ago. In 1874 and 1875 he was stat
senator from Saunders, Dodge and Sarp
counties in the Nebraska legislature. Hi
, mother, 81 years old, now lives on a farI
seven miles from Stuart, la.
WILL BUILD WATER WORKS