Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-05

eaasie he explained the Underwriters'
Laboratories. organisation. purpose
and methods
The banquet hall was hlled with
Rotaxiang and guests and the session
abounded with Rotary spirit and en-
thusiasm- President Ivan Lang pre-
sided over the meeting which was
called to order after bountiful and
delicious Rotary dinner had been
served Musical numbers furnished
by the men Of the O-You-Baby COM
pany from the opera house featured a
most enjoyable entertainment pro-
gram and were accorded hearty APP
plause.
Among the guests of honor at the
meeting were State Insurance Com
missioner q. Walden Smith. Deputy
Commissioner Leon w. Helson, Hon.
Albert Greenlaw Of the Maine Public
Utilities Commission. Mayor Sanford
L. Fogg Of Augusta and members Of
the City government, and Roy Small.
chief engineer of the Augusta Fire
Department all Of whom together
with Rotarians are cooperating in
the great movement for fire preven-
ton.
AS an illustration of the enormous
property loss caused by fire each
year. Mr.. Muldaur referred to the es-
innate Of the u. S. Geological Survey
Tor 1907 which showed that the
amount Of property destroyed that
year by fire equalled the money value
OF alll the gold. silver, copper and
petroleum mined that year in the
United States. The most common
cause of fire in the year 1918 was ex-
posture Gre catching from one house
to another}. while the property loss
from fires caused by matches and
smoking was also very large. In
1918. fire loss from unknown causes
amounted to sSs.oo0, 600. The fire loss
in the United States came second in
the world. Canada came first with
the greatest loss per, capita.
But more interesting than an ar
ray of facts and figures showing
property loss by fire and the causes,
is the great work which is being
done all. over the United States for
fire prevention. and the speaker of
the evening explained the important
part which the Underwriters Labor
atories take in this work. pointing
out particularly that the laboratories
are maintained for service and not
for profit.
Underwriters Laboratories, cor
poration chartered November, 1901,
by the State of Illinois, is authorized
to establish and maintain laboratories
for the. examination and testing of
appliancesand devices. and to enter
into contracts with the owners and
manufacturers of such appliances
and devices, respecting the recon-
mendation thereof to insurance or
CARNATIONS.
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc,
was established by, and is maintain
ed by the National Board of Fire
Underwriters, for service-net urofit
= The object of Underwriters Labor
atories is to bring to the user the
best obtainable opinion on the merits
Of appliances, devices. machines and
materials in respect to life and fire
hazards and accident prevention.
The work is undertaken as one
means of reducing the enormous and
disproportienate loss of life and
property by fire and the number Of
accidents in America.
The casualty features are carried
forward in cooperation with the
National Workmen's Compensation
Service Bureau.
The principal buildings and test
ing station are located at 207 East
Ohio street, Chicago. Branch offices
are located throughout the United
States and Canada and in England.
The New York office is equipped for
the conduct of examinations and
tests of all electrical devices under
the same conditions as those afford
ed at the principal office and testing
station in Chicago.
The aim of the founders of the IN
derwriters' Laboratories was to Sc
cure the best and fairest opinion re-
garding the merits or dement's of ev-
cry device, system, machine or mate
rial. in respect to life and fire hazards
and accident prevention, and to have
the work so conducted and reviewed
as to secure accuracy and uniformity
in its findings. This object has been
to such an extent that
the majority Of Underwriters IN the
United States. many state and NUM-
cipal authorities. plant operators, and
a large number of architects, building
owners and users either accept or re-
q hn
incident to thei recognition of devices,
systems and materials having a bear
ing upon fire hazards or accident pre-
vention.
In very interesting manner. Mr..
Muldaur explained how certain of the
tests are made at the laboratories and
toid OF the follow-up service which is
conducted in three ways: BY re-exam-
ination, by inspection service and by
the label service which consists of the
ianeiing of standard goods by stamps.
transfers or labels whereby they may
be recognized wherever found. Ap-
$50, 000. 900 labels were utiI-
ized an products during the year end
ing December 81, 1918. The cost of
the service Is betrayed by charges
made for the labels. -
Mr. Muidaur's address held the
complete attention of Rotarians ana
guests who gave evidence of their
by their applause. Il
A number of matters of business
We're then taken up by the club. Pres
ident ivan Lang spoke regarding the
annual conference of the New Eng