The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-14
STEEL FURNITURE 1. PROVES ITS MERIT WHEN PUT ID TEST
Recent Fires Call Special Attention to Steel Filing Cabinets and Other
 Equipment

Recent fires in Birmingham have caused business men to look to their filing cabinets in addition to the trou- ble that is threatened with the insur anee companies. Many business firms have been using all wood cabinets for filing purposes, in many instances carrying papers the value of which reached thousands of dollars with no other protection than that offered by the wood and a nominal insurance pol icy.
 The use of all-stee1 cabinets for fil- ing purposes is now coming more gem erally known in the commercial world Steel furniture for public buildings banks, etc. has been known In a gen eral way for some 2s or 30 years. But 1t is only within the past 10 or 12 years that the manufacture of all-steel office furniture. from waste baskets to rolltep desks, chairs and fixtures be- came general
 There are now in the United States about six or seven manufactures that make all-steel furniture. Of these only one or two manufacture furniture for the home as we'll as for offices and public buildings.
 Twenty five years ago there was a very limited demand for all-steel fur niture and manufacturers made every thing to order. But little stock goods were made and when the experiment was first tried it was with much trepi- datiop hat fftSo 6 put on the market The makers were afraid the public was not educated sufficiently along the lines of economy in furniture to justify the making of all-steel furniture.
 The venture proved a success. how ever, and now cabinets, desks. chairs, tables, etc, are almost as commonly seen in offices as the old style wood construction desks and fixtures. The advantages of all-steel cabinets for filing purposes, say the manufacturers, are durability, convenience, protection from fire, water, dust and beauty. Any desired grain in wood can be initiated to perfection in the steel, and the re- cent fires in Birmingham have dem onstrated how well the steel filing cabinets withstand heat.
 The fire of last Friday at the Bir- mingham Railway. Light and Power company was one of the worst in the history of the city. The interior of the building was seething furnace and many records. totaling in value upward of $100000. were contained in the files. All-steel filing cabinets were in use and when the workmen dug the files out of the debris of the burned build ing they were blistered and showed evidences of having been at a white heat
 When they were forced open the pa pers contained therein were found to be in perfect condition except for slightly charred edges and not a rec ord was lost
 The Idea is prevalent that all-steel furniture Is something of luxury that can be afforded only by the very large firms This is erroneous, for practically every stationer in Birming- ham sells all-steel furniture at prices at which the furniture of wood con struction is quoted. The all-steel fur niture can't burn. there are no open ing joints or sticking drawers and 1t Is claimed it has more attractive ap- pearance than the wood furniture.
 Circassian walnut. mahogany early English or any cabinet wood can be initiated successfully.
 Many banks throughout the country are tquippiHE tntlT oIlicts Wlln all steel furniture, in many instances, the only piece of wood in the offices being the penstaffs. The new Jefferson Coun- ty bank is finished entirely in all-steel furniture. from the vaults to the di- rectors table.
 The Buckeye State Building and Loan company of Columbus, O., has the dis tinction of being one of the few ab- solutely fireproof buildings in the Unit aa The blii ic daf rIaA from all others there being streets and alleys on all sides. The roof is fire proof and the windows have wire glass with metal framing. No wood or other combustible material was used in the construction. Not a carpenter was cm- ployed and not a nall was driven The doors are of steel Even the window shades are of asbestos and the step ladders used by janitors are galvan- ized iron. Pictures are framed In metal and hung from metal moulding. All the furniture in the banking room Is steel, even the chairs being made of metal
 All-steel furniture can and has been successfully used by banks. public buildings libraries, railroads. insurance companies newspapers. and. in fact every line of business in which 1t is required to keep records. It does not wary or become "old" in appearance after two or three years service. and is unaffected by climatic conditions
 The shelving for books in libraries and courthouses, when made of steel is practically indestructible. The Jef- ferson county courthouse is equipped with few sections of all-steel book shelves. The Madison county court house at Huntsville. recently com pleted, will be fitted throughout with all-steel furniture. except the chairs, which are of wood construction. The Cu1lman county courthouse will be equipped with all-stee1 furniture.
 It fs predicted that within five years bussness men will be using all- eel furniture to the utter exclusion of wood