The San Francisco call., 1906-12-23
Enthusiastic Over the Use Of
MOlds and Cement

smooth finish on the interior cement
walls will be superior to plaster. mas
much as ii will not crack or crumble
/ The expense of plastering, in itself q
| considerable item, will be avoided The
walls can be tinted by kalsomining OF
papering. If the cement floors appear
to be chilly or inhospitable they car
be covered with rugs. The mantels OF
stone will be as attractive as any OF
present-day construction. In fact. the
cast stone will be ornate both on the
outside and inside
HAS LUXURIOUS QUARTERS
The inventor then led the way into
his laboratory reception room, an i'm
mense affair, as large as a good-size6
ballroom. 1t is surrounded by three
tiers of galleries and in these galleries
are well-f1lled book shelves and cases
containing exhibits of curious scientific
and electrical instruments. The hard
wood floors are highly polished, with
costly rugs strewn promiscuously
about. All of the finishing in the room
is of hardwood; pictures of steam en-
gines, dynamos and portraits of emil
nent scientists adorn the walls; the
oaken armchairs are carved with the
letters. ct A. E."
In the center of the room is a beau
tiful nude figure, wrought in marble
holding aloft an electric bulb, while
from the ceiling and from chandeliers
are suspended myriads of miniature in
candescent globes. In short, the
laboratory reception room is sumptu-
ously and luxuriously furnished. This
is quite surprise to one who expects
to find the regulation den" of an in
ventor.
But Edison does not spend much
time in his reception room despite It's
luxurious fittings Neither does he stay
at home (Menlo Park any more than
he can help. He loves to be in the
shop" The laboratory is large
building, devoted exclusively to ex-
perimental work. There are all sorts
of machines in operation. drilling, mill
ing, saving. turning and stamping ma
chinery; machines to work metal
wood, rubber and seemingly every ma
terial under the sun; besides chemi-
cal laboratory.
He has scores of assistants trained
in various kinds of experimental work
There are electrical engineers and
chemists. draughtsmen and skilled me-
chanics of all kinds
HIS HAIR SNOW WHITE
Edison was in his working clothes
and looked as untidy as / had expected
TO find him. His hair, now as white
as snow, was unl<empt. There was g
streak of smut on his chin. But / was
surprised to find such a young face
framed by snowy hair. 1t is round and
smooth. and his eyes are as bright as
youths. This is remarkable In 8
man who has spent so many years ir
profound scientific research and who
has toiled almost necessarily for forty
years in the creation and exploitation
of inventions. He has not only pro
duced more money making inventions
than any man living, but he has mar
keted them successfully. He combines
/ the genius of the inventor with rars
business ability
But years of such strenuous exertior
| have apparently left no traces on his
| face, which is cheerful and smiling as
! il he had not a care In the world. II
he possesses any of the peculiarities
or eccentricities that are commonly as
sociated with genius l failed to observe
| them.
The workmen around the Edisor
premises say that there are times
though, when he is reticent and taci-
| turn, and sometimes morose. These
are the times when he is trying to
work out some vexatious problem and
wants. above all else, to be left alone
! Happily. however, had found him
in one of his most amiable moods. AL