Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-13

the state.
EDWARD F. DUNE, Governor
mounted branch of the service. These
enlisted men are taken through the
entire plant, learning to make nearly
everything in the IL months they are
under instruction When they return
TO their commands they are experts.
One of the most interesting opera
tions seen in this shop was the cutting
of heavy army duck used for haver-
sacks and in the covering of canteens,
etc. As many as 30 thicknesses of
this are laid on long tables, the pat
tern being marked on the top one, and
then a man with a motor driven knife
which vibrates rapidly cuts out the
cloth almost as rapidly as the hand
can direct the movement of the ma
chine. The pieces come out cut clean
and absolutely uniform in size and
shape. This shop is so well lighted
that it can operate at night as well as
by day.
There were about thirty men in the
visiting party. They travelled to and
from the arsenal in automobiles. They
were met by Captain q. r. Horton and
taken first for an inspection of the
power plant. Several turbines have
been added here recently and an ap-
preparation is sought to install still
more. At present about 5000 horse
power is developed. From the power
house the sight-seers were escorted
through the underground concrete tun-
mel distance of quarter of a mile
10 the harness shop in the middle of
the island. This walk, part of the way !
in almost total darkness in a passage |
way about four feet in width and with |
heavy power wires insulated OF |
course) within reach of either hand, !
was not without its thrills.
Waterworks is New.
After leaving the harness shops the !
was seen. This is mostly /
a new installation, water having been !
turned on here last December. 1t is
one of the most complete pumping and
filter plants in the country of its size.
The raw water is taken through a IL
inch main extending 400 feet into the
river on the north side of the island.
a pump a: the river bank forces it
into the filter and pumping plant
Here 1t is treated with alum and later
with hypo. and after passing through !
5edimentation and sand filter basins.
goes into the clear water we'll in as
pure a state as it is possible to make 4
Il. II is then pumped into one of the Il
wo tanks which supply pressure suf-
icient for ordinary uses. There are II
wo electrically driven pumps and an
emergency steam driven pump. Used
n series. the electric pumps give a
pressure Of 100 pounds in the mains
III over the island. while a steam fire {
ngine in addition is capable of raising (;
his TO 1GO pounds. I
The average daily amount of water
Ised on the island is 100000 gallons,
he quantity being somewhat less in 6
winter and more IN summer when I
prinkling is done. q
In passing from one shop TO another ]
he Rock Islanders were shown the v
orner between north wings of one of 4
ne buildings where concrete telephone I
oles are made. These are turned out a
few at a time to replace the wooden i
oles as the latter decay. About a d
u
hey cost Sl2 each, but are supposed
D be practically indestructible. In
Much Steel Stored. o
In the steel storage room are great q
acks piled with all kinds and shapes e
Z metal Cars unload inside this
uilding. The material is in charge of n
storekeeper who issues it upon order :
ON the various shops. Here are also
itting machines which turn out the
ars and rods in the lengths most con-
enient The cutting is done by auto
attic saws running under a water
ith, one man attending half a dozen
them. Metal other than steel is
So kept here.
With the other steel is material suf-
'ient TO make $4,000 Springfield rifles.
hen the small arms shop was closed
few months ago orders were received
keep enough material TO make this
mber OF guns. This material alone
worth 100000 and 1t occupies only
small space in the building.
The party were shown through the
lall arms plant. which is being oper-
ID IN only few departments and
but a few men. The processes were
1rrfhad nnA ~ che r,aAa,