Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-24
UP TO DATE.
Extensive Repairs Made
on the Edwards Mills.
Improvements Which Make the
Plant First Class.
Will Resume Work, Next Monday, tc
Satisfaction of All.

The Edwards Manufacturing Co, has
nearly completed the extensive repairs
in ana about its mills. The company
suspended operations over three
months ago. and since that time has
been busy repairing and replacing old
machinery, beside fitting up a room to
be used as machine shop. Until the
shutdown in July. with the exception
of a shutdown of nine weeks in 1903,
the mills had been in constant opera
ton for the last decade. Nothing but
the absolutely necessary work in the
way of repairs were done in that time
and, consequently a large amount Of
oHerhaullng has been necessary. Some
thing in the neighborhood of $4,000 has
been expended and, today, the mills
present a clean, up-to- date appearance.
New flooring has replaced the old in
many places, window sills have been
refittad, and the halls and stairways
repaired.
The old machine shop, has been turn
ed into Il carpenters workshop. and a
new shop, 100xG0 feet, has been fitted up
in the basement of the cotton house,
for the machinists. Several rev and
this department. among them being
large Atom power shafting machine,
having a swing Of 26 feet between
centers. and capable of holding any
shafting now in Use ut the mill. a drill
| press, threading and raZing machines.
all new and up-to-date. have been set
up. and when the wheels begin to turn
on Monday next, the Edwards 60. VIII
have one of the finest equipped plants
in New England.
The sundry stock room has been en-
tirely overhauled. and all supplies
/ tabulated. The system of steam piping
/ has been changed, the pipes being
! placed 'ol.erhead. A system of tele-
phones has been installed which con-
meets all rooms with the main office.
ana by means Of this the superinten-
dent will always BE- within reaching
distance of the overseers.
! In the spinning room two slashers
have been placed. The sizing for the
| slashcrs has always been placed over
each machine and in this plan the COM
| pany has made a departure. The siz-
| ing is now placed in six large watts in
| one corner of the room and is sent to
the machines by means Of a combina-
ton force pump. The ring spinning
| frames have been refited with new
| rings, Is 900 having been replaced.
| A tower has been erected on mill No.
g. This addition was built to be used
| as sink rooms and to accommodate n
| Portland pIunger elevator. The other
| two elevators have been replaced. On
| every floor Offices have been built for
| the Use of the OVerSeorS.
| In the mule spinning department the
| rolls have been replaced on every mule.
this work alone having made large
| amount of bother and expense.
A belt room has been equipped on the
second floor of the new addition, over
the machine shop. Every machine
known to the trade including scraffers,
hand presses, trimmers and iathes has
| been procured and the STOCK OF new
/ leather increased.
| Everything possible has been done to
| make The mill up-to-date in every re-
| spect and the changes will greatly ia
cilitate the work. The mill will resume
operations. Monday next, and while the
management do not expect to start
| with full quota of help, it is expect
ed that they will be in full operation
| in the course of the week. Mr.. Pratt,
| the former superintendent. will act as
| agent for the company and will soon
| appoint a new superintendent. Inc
mill help throughout the city are re-
jocing over the prospect of the mills
| rcopcning. as it has been rather hard
siege for many of the large famiiles.
| The business men are also well pleased,
as it means an increase in their busl-
ness. which has fallen off somewhat in
the last few months.