El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-08

n ROBABLY the first demands Of the
average motor car buyer, after he
= has satisfied himself as to the me-
chanicaI excellence Of car is con-
cerned with riding comfort He Is crl-
teal In his examination OF the uphol-
stery. He wants TO be sure that the
cushions and seat-backs are covered
with genuine leather and not cheap
limitations that viii wear out promptly.
He demands a top that viii shed water
like a ducks back; side curtains tnat
fit so snugly that they are absolutely
bad-weather proof
A trip through the various depart
ments of a big automobile plant where
quality cars are turned out reveals
some interesting facts on the process
of building comfort into car. The
upholstery and top making depart
ments perhaps best illustrate this
feature.
Three Hides TO Car.
At the Chalmers plant we use three
large COW hides in the leather work
on every Chalmers Six. Awaiting their
turn at the cutting tables are scores
Of great black hides, draped over huge
racks The average skin contains so
square feet Of leather and no hides
under so feet are accepted. Only large
western cattle afford hides large
enough for this work. All hides are
carefully inspected and must be abso-
fore they will pass muster.
1t is not practical TO attempt to cut
more than one hide in a single opera
ton because OF the varying quality and
differences in size OF the hides. After
the leather has been cut to the differ
ent patterns. there is left a large guam
tity of small scarps, no matter how
carefully planned the cutting. As a
single example Of the efficiency meth
DDS in vogue at the plant, these leather
patches are sold to button factories,
where they are used for covering but
tons.
Building the Upholstery.
After the seat tops have been cut and
stitched. they are ready for the hair
nlling and the springs. It is here that
riding comfort hangs in the balance.
The building OF an automobile cushion
is work for an expert and Chalmers up
holsterers are among the best paid men
IN the entire plant Care must be taken
that the filling is evenly distributed so
that the seat viii not bunch, sag or
knot Long, curled hair of the best
variety lnsures the longevity OF the
cushions and prevents them flattening
out, even after several years use.
Two men work on each cushion. The
seat cover is placed over a form in a
large press and the hair filling packed
IN Whens from experience. they know
mat they have the correct amount of
lllihg, the power is applied and the
seat pressed into shape.
In the manufacture of tops. the very
finest grade of mohair is used. The
room in which Chalmers tops are made
fairly huns with industry. Thirty
eight girls operate electrically driven
sewing machines with a skill and light
ming sureness never approached by
mere man. One side OF the room is
given over to the cutters. Along its
whole length stretches a table long
enough to banquet a small factory. At
the head of the cutting table are
heaped great rolls Of mohair ond panta-
sote. ready to be cut into tops and cur
tains. A half dozen Of these rolls are
mounted on rack that feeds them off
onto the cutting table.
Two men unwind these rolls, spread
ing the material on the table layer by
layer until they have built a band rs
thicknesses in depth. On the top layer
the patterns are laid out with chalk
lines and the cutter sets to work. There
Is no time for the coat makers shears.
Chalmers tailors are equipped with an
electric knife. keen as a razor. which
buries itself into the cloth and cuts
with ease along the chalk lines as di-
rected by the operator. With this
method it is possible to cut top equip
ment for 200 cars in a single day.
Women Operate MachineE
From the cutting table the pieces go