Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1913-04-23
THE HETRICK HOSIERY MILLS.
Plant Fully Equipped and Running
Full Time Every Day.

One Of the most complete manufac-
during plants in the South is that of
the Hetrick Hosiery Mills Of Wal
halla. One can scarcely realize that
the plant is the same as that estab-
lished a few years ago-and in real
it, 1t is lot the same, except as to
location. From basement to the top
floor it has been thoroughly over
hauled, new machinery has been add
ed, and everywhere is apparent the
very best that is afforded in the way
equipment.
One of the most noticeable i'm
provements, however, is the box-mak-
ing department., where every box
used by the plant is manufactured,
the machinery being adjustable to
the needs of the A call from
the shipping department for the
smallest or the largest size Of box
used in the packing of hosiery into
dozens or half dozens meets prompt
response from the boX-making rooms,
and almost faster than you can count
the sheet of b~oX-board Is started from
stopping except in transfer from one
employee at his or her machine to the
neXt: in the process of manufacture.
And 1t is a remarkably short inter-
val from the time the big sheet of
box-board is started on it's course
until it ends its journey, being
transformed into a neat and strong
boz, handsomely covered with bright,
g~listening paper to meet the ideas of
the wholesale purchaser. This de-
partment, however, has not been per-
fected in the matter of speed as yet,
for it has been but a few weeks since
the first piece Of machinery for this
part Of the work was shipped in. The
operatives OF this machinery, how
ever, are fast becoming expert in
their work. Up to within a compare
lively few weeks the mill was de-
pendent upon the box makers OF dist
ant cities for their supply, but the
shipping in of boxes used from out
side sources proved a constant ire
of worry and annoyance, until it was
realized that the only remedy was
the installation of the boX-making
plant. Not only are the cardboard
boxes made on the spot, but every
wooden shipping case is made under
the roof OF the main plant.
One Of the most recent additions
to the place is the installation Of the
fire protection system. The entire
mill is now fitted up with the sprink-
Ter system Of the Automatic Sprink-
Ter Company of America. The first
evidence of this greets the visitor out
side the mill in the shape of a 10000
gallon water tank, filled to its full
capacity. A siX-inch main leads from
the tank to the mill. and from this
main the pipes that run everywhere
through the mill building are sup
piled. The interior pipes are so
arranged, that ever a small blaze in
any part Of the mill at any time will
release a flow Of water. Even as
small an amount OF heat as is given
from a burning match. if coming in
contact with the pipe at any point
Will start the water in that vicinity.
MS company claims for its appara-
tus that it practically makes a build
ing ti%reproof.
The feature that strikes a visitor
first and most forcibly in going
through the Hetrick mill Is the thor
ough ventilation of the operating
rooms, the absence Of II lint, the
good light that is provided by the
systematic arrangement Of the ma
chincTy TO secure the pest results
from the ample window space, and
the comparative silence that per-
Vades the place in spite Of the fact
that hundreds Of machines are every
where whirling and twirling in their
rapid and almost magic movements
AS they carry the numberless threads
or yarn on their way from the spool
to the completed stocking. As the
girls and young women move from
one machine to another, or sit at
their sewing and welting machines.
each gives the appearance Of simply
being one member Of a great family
going about some duty in the sewing
room OF a big household. There is
no jar from clashing machinery, no
rattle and bang from noisy slashers
and Washers, but the gentle whir Of
the knitting machinery is such as to
make n feel like humming a merry
tune to keep in touch with the seem
Ing joyful spirit OF each of these busy