Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-10-25
BANQUET IN A STEEL FOUNDRY.
Travelling Crane Carries Coffee From
Furnace to Diners at Chestnut Hill.

Amid all the surroundings which
are distinctive of steel foundry in
actua! operation. n unique dinner was
recently given to the executives and
statesmen of the Nelson Valve Co, IN
the companys new open hearth steel
foundry at Chestnut Hill. Seated at
a table formed in the shape OF
horseshoe, the so guests celebrated the
opening of the new plant while e huge
electric crane rolled over their heads,
and all about them, seemingly glowing
and roaring with molten metal, were
gigantic furnaces
Coffee made in one OF the furnaces
was poured from a great bull ladle,
suspended from the crane. and Sill
yer loving cup, conveyed to the BAN
auet table by the travelling crane. as
if it were a casting, was presented to
Carlisle Mason, vice president and
general manager.
Samuel F. Houston, president Of the
company assisted by Mr.. Mason,
presided over the unusual foundry
| dinner AT one end of the strange
| banquet hall was a 6-ton nickel fur
mace. the first built in America.
Alongside of that was the Cotton acid
open hearth steel furnace.
When coffee" was reached on the
menu. Carlisle Mason turned to Nj.
Sims. the superintendent of the found
rios. and asked when will you
pour a heat?+ Tn pour you one
right now" replied Mr.. Sims, as he
gave the signal for the travelling crane
! to set into action. Rambling over
TO-
runway to tie open-hearth furnace.
| The astounded guests watched as the
grea. ladle was lowered into the
mouth of the furnace There was a
flash and the plant was illuminated
| for an instant as by the glow OF met
AL melted to white-heat- SLOWLY
| to the accompaniment of sparks ana
| explosions the ladle. with it's load OF
"metaI'' was carried back to the Ia
| BILE A spigot, in the bottom of tn"
| ladle. was turned. and black. aromatic
coffee streamed forth.
Once more the crane was ordered
out. This time it picked up flask.
| This is a box containing sand. III
which the castings are poured. THIS
rude looking box was carried to the
| table and dropped at Mr. Mason
plate. Removing the top, the vice
president found a massive silver low
| ing cup. fourteen inches high. The
cup was presented to Mr.. Mason by
! the department executives. Of the
company. as an evidence of their ap-
probation. with the announcement
that he had extracted the product of
| the first heat"
Souvenirs al the dinner consisted
of leather bill-folds, containing four
! bills made in imitation of banknotes.
On one bill was birds view of
| the Nelson plant. The menu was on
another. Decorations of bunting.
flags and palms relieved the gaunt
| outlines of the foundry setting.
The guests at the banquet We're the
men constituting the executive. OPP
Grating and sales forces. 1t was the
first time the outside men had seen
the new $1,50O.00o plant. which. COW
ering eight years. has been in course
OF construction for nearly two years.
Some of the guests came from as far
West as San Francisco. All spen:
the day inspecting the plant. holding
d sales meeting and attending an il
Illustrated lecture showing the details
product. Luncheon was served at the
White Marsh Valley Country Club
Phila dclphia Press.