The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-07
Social Life Notable Feature
In Large Indianapolis Factory
Clubs the Com
that eel by Mere Earne

suggestions for the various departments.
This work cannot be better described than
In the words of Mr. T. b. Laycock:
None need bury their talents nor hide
their light under bushel here. Prizes are
offered for ideas and expressed thoughts
that are of sufficient Importance to adopt.
Ihose who give thoughtful attention to
thelr work, who apply themselves care
fully and closely to their own duty, who
are anxious TO better their own condition
by lettering that of the company, have am
pie opportunity for advancement. Their
speed towards the front depends entirely
upon their own efforts. Suggestion boxes
supplied with pencil paper and envelopes
are placed nj convenient points. When writ
ten, the suggestion is placed in an envelope
which is already addressed to the lookout
committee, sealed and delivered TO the door
keeper. No one. not even the foreman
Inanager, need be consulted about it. The
receipt OF suggestions is promptly &C
khoWiedged by letter of thanks Each
tuesday all suggestions received during
the week are considered and passed upon
by the board of managers and officers while
at lunch. Prizes are awarded twice a year,
the occasion being of much interest and en-
Joyment, owing to the musical programme
usually arranged and the short and funny
stories told. The ladder is here the rounds
are close and safe, and though somewhat
crowded below, there is room a the top.
INDIVIDUALITY ENCOURAGED.
BY getting the employees interested in
the library and in the different little social
o. CARNATIONS which have been formed by
them we are not endeavoring to perform a
charity continued Mr.. Laycock 1T is
simply our object to make each person en-
ployed here feel that he is somebody and
not only a slight part of a great machine.
1t is my opinion that working people have
sympathy with each other that the man
who has money enough TO supply all the
comforts OF life cannot understand. and il
is for this reason that we encourage the
social side of this work. We are here like
large family, and everyone takes an interest
In the welfare of his associates. Those who
have any kind of little troubles come to the
Oftce and tell them to us, and we always
listen and give them what advice We can;
and have never seen any harm come from
1t yet so far as the business is concerned.
1t is an old saying that business and SEN
timent should never be mixed and do not go
together. While this may be very good
motto TO follow, l don't wholly believe 1t.
L think If people would put a little more
sentiment into their business they would be
better off, and by doing il they would not
only help themselves, but they would also
make those employed by them feel better
and closer to them. There should be exist
ing between an employer and the people he
employs a friendship as close as that of
anybody. My experience has always been
that in treating the working people in this
way gives them a feeling of personal pride
and independence, and as for their abusing
any privileges and rights which are given
them we very seldom have trouble in this
direction. We have not completed the So
cial side of factory work yet, and as
various features planned become practical
We will adopt them
THE FACTORY WORK.
The factory of the Laycock Company is
one of the largest in the city, and the iron
beds and springs that are made there are
shipped to all parts Of the United States.
1t is an interesting proceeding to follow the
construction of a bed from the time it
leaves the foundry until it is in the shipping
room. 1t is in the foundry where the head
and foot of the beds are made, and there
they are put upon a drag which runs on a
track. and from this track the bed is never
taken until completed. 1t is raised from one
floor TO another by a hoist, and switched
onto a track in the department where it is
wanted. When bed is enameled it is SIM
ply run into this department and lowered
into a huge tank filed with enamel taken
up again in an instant. gone over with
brush and sent on to the baking room,
where ii is left until the paint is thoroughly
hardened. The springs that made here
go through the very same process The
most interesting thing about the springs is
the way in which they are packed for ship
ment. Six of the springs are compressed
into crate, where the space is not large
enough for one when not pressed down. To
do this il takes a press of immense power,
but 1t is found that it in no way Injuries
the springs, but on the contrary makes
them better. There are quite a number of
| girls working throughout the factory, eS-
pecially where the brass beds are made and
where the bedsprings are put together.
The shipping rooms take up a great part
| of the lower floor. One of these is devoted
| to local trade, in another carload lots are
| arranged for shipment, and so on with all
| of theIn. These rooms are arranged so that
no Inconvenience is experienced in loading
| either cars or wagons. Just now exists
| what is known at the factory as the dull
season, but to go through the place and see
| every one busily engaged at his work one
would not think that this statement was
| true.
The factory is ceiled throughout, and both
ceiling and walls painted in cream
| color, thus improving the light and promot-
| ing cheerfulness. The floors are kept well
| swept. and materials well as goods in
| process are piled in systematic order The
| equipment in machinery, much of which is
| special and of the factory's own design and
| build, is particularly adapted to the re-
| uuirements of the place. The waterwOrks
mands, without hose, the entire roof and
| every foot of space throughout the interior
| of the factory. The electric lighting facil-
| tiles are complete and ample, permitting the
| working of a full force in every part of the
| factory at night when occasion requires Ii.
| Direct communication is tablished be-
| tween the general and department offices
| by an interior telephone system. Signal
telegraph stations in various parts of the
building are connected with the District
Telegraph Company, and the night watch
! man sends in his signal from each station
| upon each trip through the factory, which
| is every hour of the night. There is also a
| duly organized fire department, with twen-
| ty-two members selected from various
| parts of the factory. Every precaution is
! taken for the safety of the employees. and
! everything is done 10 make them comfort
! able. This is to any visitor very notice
/ able feature.