New Britain herald., 1917-09-04
HUMPHREY 25 YEARS WITH
 TRAUT & HINE MFG. co.
Began As Tool Maker and
 Is Now General Superin- tendent-Active in Fra ternal and Political Circles

Twenty five years with one manu- featuring concern, a quarter of cen-
 tury of honest endeavor. that Is the
 intendent of the Traut & Hine Mfg.
 Co. It was 25 years ago this month
 that MT. Humphrey came to this city
 from Waterbury, the city of his na-
 tivity. having resigned his position as tool maker with the Waterbury Buckle Co. to start at the bottom of the ladder on whose top rung he is now ensconsed.
 If you should stop at random any one who is acquainted with the life of New Britain and inquire who is the busiest man In the Hardware City he would be almost certain to award that title to MT. Humphrey. Students of science who are continually seek ing perpetual motion should pause in their efforts and shake hands with Ernest N. Humphrey and announce that they have reached their goal. It is doubtful if there is man in the city who has crammed more activity into 25 years of life. His first name should be spelled Earnest"
 When MT. Humphrey came to New Britain the Traut & Hine Mfg. Go. was in its infancy, having embarked on the sea of manufacturing scarcely two years. It's active head at that time was J. A. Traut, now deceased, and it employed about 30 hands. To- day 1t is one of the vertebrae in New Britain's industrial spine and its prod ucts are known wherever civilization has left it's mark. Fully 500 men and women now find employment there and it was never so prosperous. For this success, much of the credit should be given MT. Humphrey, who has devoted the best years of his life to teaching this former baby indus try to crawl, then to walk and finally to sprint down the lanes of com- merce. The concern is monument to his integrity, untiring spirit and his willingness to ignore the clock when the hands announced that a days work had been done.
 Five years after Mr. Humphrey en- tered the employ of Traut & Hine he was placed in charge of the tool room. Fifteen years ago his energy and spirit were recognized and he was appointed mechanical superin- tendent Ten years ago he won his spurs and was made general super intendent, which position he has filled 1 with credit to himself and to the concern.
 B. F. o. Ernest
 Despite the fact that he has de- 1 voted the greater part of his mental and physical energy to the Traut & Hine Co.,, MT. Humphrey has found time for play hours with his fellow men. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and New Britain lodge, No. 967, B. r. O. Elks. It is with the latter organization that | he has been more closely associated. l He was a member of Hartford lodge l before the Elks spread their antlers over New Britain. He was also one | of the organizers of New Britain lodge and a charter member. In rec ognition of his services, the lodge elected him the second exalted ruler George E. Bunny being the first and, incidentally, the only one to hold that office twice. Until a few months ago, MT. Humphrey was member of the house committee of the Elks and for many years it's chairman and the erection of the present building of the lodge was, in great measure, due to his efforts. As house com- mittee chairman-any Elk will agree to this-he created a spirit of good fellowship that has enabled the lodge to become the largest fraternal body in the city, from mem bership stand point. When he retired recently from the house committee, the lodge ten- dered him a banquet and presented him with numerous costly gifts as well as p1edging it's undying friend ship. Humphrey Night" at the Elks 1~ <@
 Successful As City Official.
 So much activity would seem suf- ficient for the average man. But Mr. Humphrey is not an average man. Don't forget the reference to per- petual motion. Politics appealed to him as, early as 1900 and in that year he was elected a councilman For four years he served in that capacity and his constituents thought so well of him they elected him alderman for the six years following. Before the board of finance and tax ation was organized, MT. Humphrey was member of the old finance committee and when the new board was selected he was one of the mem bers chosen. He has continued up to the present to occupy place on the board and his advice is always sought on financial matters. About 12 years ago he was appointed to the board of public works by George M. Lan- ders who was then mayor. In this capacity he has also continued to serve and for the past six years he has been president of the board. Under his leadership New Britain's streets have been made to compare with the best in any small city in the nation. MT. Humphrey was ap- pointed a member of the water com
 mission about three years ago by