Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-18
GREAT PREPARATIONS
And Granite Trade Is Bound to Boom
Sometine-Trade N otes.

There are very few small contracts
under the hammer in HalloWell granite
sheds, but great preparations are be-
ing made for the future. There is little
doubt but that when the present plans
of the Hallowel Granite Works are
carried to completion, the business
capacity will be greatly increased, per-
haps doubled. The forward movement
Of the company in Introducing latest
innovations in the line of machinery
cannot at this time be attributed to
the holding of any stable contract,
although it is evident that they are
carrying out a desire to attain Il COM
petitable level with other large con-
Germs.
A line of railroad connects the two
quarries and stock as well as waste
material can be moved without loss Of
time or money. Men are at work on
the quarries removing worthless lOdes,
etc, and bringing out the idea of proper
development in order to increase the
accessible supply of stock. A brick
power house of large size is just now
being built and two boilers of Is horse
power each will be placed at once.
These boilers will furnish power for a
12O horse power air compressor, by the
means of which 4 number of surface
cutters, drills and pneumatic tools for
general cutting will be operated.
The Tayntor Co. is completing the
Pittsfield soldiers monument which is
to be set up at once and dedicated on
Memorial day.
Granite cutters welcome the coming
of machines into their trade, at least
to the extent of recognizing the advisa-
bility of giving them q fair trial and
If found practical to be a part of the
tools of the trade. The union has found
the most of the inventions to be all
right and members have tested them
to the extent of the ability and output
of the machine and instead of the trade
being harmed by their use, it is antici-
pated that as time rolls On and ma
chimes are perfected and new ones
brought into use, that the output of fine
cut granite will be increased.
1t is avcrred that in accordance with
the best judgment of union men and
their employers, a fair wage rate will
be paid men operating them and that
because of their utility, the finished
product will reach the purchaser at a
EfOpOTCIOflutely cnedpeHeu rate In
consideration of these views upon the
matter. it is thought that any action of
the union to either directly or Indirect
ly refuse to operate or embaraSS the
capability of Embarrassing machine,
would be n great mistake.
The condition of trade does not improve
much at many of the o'ier granite GEN.
tiers. At Concord, N. H., there seems to
be small demand for good work. Sion
ington and Clark's Island find employ
ment for the usual number Of men ami
in these two places not 4 few IiallOwcll
men are located. Business is good at VI
nalhaven.
Work has commenced at Milford Mass,
after n long suspension, and it is expected
that matters will run smoothly there for
the next three years at least. A new
agreement there between the union and
the company provides for a minimum
rate of 40 cents per hour and a Saturday
half holiday from April l to October l.
The NorcrOss Brothers, who have 4 fine
plant there, took advantage of the shut
down by making repairs and improve
ments which will cost thousands of dol
lars, and when completed will make their
place a practically new and up-to-date
plant