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in the morning without being cleaned, he would make it his business to see that the teamster received some instructions regarding the matter. But what about the teamster who comes out unwashed and uncombed? Is no one sufficiently interested in him to instruct him in the importance of changing his habits?

Was Swift right in his "Gulliver's Travels" when, with his fine sarcasm, he tried to prove that man had become the slave of the lower order of Leings?

"Man is the most valuable asset in the factory." These words were spoken to the writer several years ago by a very successful manufacturer. "A man with a healthy body and mind is a wonder-working thing." If this is true, and if it is true is it not worth while for employers to place before their employes such information as is at the present time available for the preservation of the body and mind. On employers this duty must devolve. If it is not a duty they owe to those under them, then it is a duty they owe to themselves to preserve intact this valuable asset, man.

Care of the Physical Man

There is a way to feed a horse and there is a way to feed a machine in order to obtain best results, and the men whose duty it is to do this are taught how to do it. There is a way to feed a man; but when we see men stuffing themselves, paying little or no attention to the chewing of their food, returning to their work after dinner feeling worse than before they left off, one is liable to come to the conclusion that the men who know how to feed horses and machines do not know how to feed themselves.

The importance of carrying away all waste from the machine is fully recognized. In this age of high speed machines, if this waste were allowed to accumulate it would soon clog the machine and bring all its parts to a standstill. Men are like machines in this respect. The food we eat contains elements necessary to our sustenance. Part of it goes to make brain, part to make musele, part to make flesh, part to make bone and part to make blood. The balance is waste matter and passes away from the system, carrying with it impurities that have been thrown off by various organs. If this function is not regularly performed, the human machine, like the iron machine, becomes clogged, and the operating table in the hospital and the surgeon's knife are frequently required to bring the man around.

Bad Living Conditions

The conditions under which some men live in congested districts has created what is known as the housing problem. Whole families living in one or two rooms, cooking, eating, sleeping all together. Living under such conditions, the greatest asset any country can possess will soon be destroyed.

The conditions under which men live have a deadening effect upon the mind. They are more stupid than they out to be. Such men working on dangerous machines do not fully appreciate their position, and the result is a much larger number of accidents than there need be. Safety appliances will not prevent such men getting injured.

Every accident that has ever happened might have been prevented. The cause of nearly every accident can be ascertained by a subsequent investigation. This means that had the cause been discovered and removed prior to the accident it would not have happened. Many accidents are attributed to carelessness, and this is thoughtlessness. Many do not think. Their bodies are sluggish and their minds are sluggish. They see the thing that is going to cause the accident; but things move along faster than the mind and the accident has happened before they realized the danger.

While considering the question of safety devices, let us not lose sight of the greatest safety device of all, and without which all other devices are useless. A quick, alert mind in a sound, healthy body will prevent more accidents than all the mechanical contrivances that can be invented. This does not mean that we should neglect these devices. Anything and everything that will minimize the possibility of accidents should be done. It is a case of, "This ye ought to do and not leave the other undone."

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Some Points on Balancing Knives

T IS rather unusual to find good knife facilities in the general run of mills, but with a knowledge of the basic idea or principles of a running balance, anyone with the ordinary experience and some little ingenuity can keep his knives in good balance, and there is no doubt about this being a vital part of the work as far as good finishing is concerned.

A planer knife is not different from a molder knife, and one would not think of putting a wide and short knife on a cylinder to balance a long and narrow knife.

The same principle applies to a planer knife to the extent that a straight knife should be of an even width as its mate, even though it should not be of an exact width from end to end. In other words, if two knives are of an even thickness and length, though they be three inches at one end and four at the other, if both knives are so tapered in width, they will still be in a running balance, and would balance each other on a seale by dead weight, but would not balance each other if turned opposite ends on a balancing scale. Of course, any variation in width as extreme as this would be unusual, but it illustrates the principle of a running balance. Knives used on wide planers on which a good deal of narrow stock is run to one side of the machine are often found to vary as much as an eighth of an inch in width which is something any grinder can prevent. The writer grinds his knives on a common grindstone without any frame or fitting other than a seat holder, but the knives are kept an exact width from end to end (but the bevels vary, being longer at the ends than in the center, but on the same principle as a molder knife this does not offset the balance). If both knives are of an exact width and thickness and length, any variation from an exact width will not offset the balance if it is alike in both knives. There are times when I have to grind one knife to get it to balance, and I prefer to grind narrow slots on the back of the knife, near the cutting edge rather than to drill holes in the back near the heel. It does not affect the strength of the knife and being the farthest point of the travel, the centrifugal strain is greater and requires less to be ground off than if the grinding is done nearer the center of travel. But there is little or no reason for getting knives in this condition, and when it has been done, if it will be borne in mind that both knives should be exactly alike in shape, there is little difficulty in keeping them in a running balance, though they would not be in a standing balance in all positions-Disston's Crucible.

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SAFEGUARDING THE MACHINERY

Machines Which Are Particularly Dangerous---Important That Workmen be Compelled to Use Guards---Mention of Appliances in the Illustrations

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By EMIL ANDERSON

T THE beginning let it be said that scarcely any machine can be made fool-proof, and if an operator gets careless, why something serious is apt to happen. Many workmen think safety devices unnecessary evils and use them only when forced to do so. It would be well for such men to bear the fact in mind that the "boss" is not at all keen for the idea of laying out money for ornaments, and if he had considered safety devices useless he never would have had them put on the machines.

Some states have passed laws requiring all machines, so far as possible, to be safeguarded, and other states are fast falling into line. In such cases it becomes absolutely necessary for the operator to use the guards, or let some other man take his place, and when it comes to this show down, why the operator comes to time. When one considers that an accident may happen at any time that will cause a serious injury, if not the loss of life, it is hard to understand why it is that the workman himself seems to give hardly any thought to this subject. Of course, too much thought might be given to the danger, which would result in such fear that it would be impossible to get a man to operate a dangerous machine. That is not the kind of thought needed, but the kind which brings about the realization of danger and the spirit of carefulness.

In considering furniture factory machinery, the first piece of equipment that comes to our attention is the swing cut-off saw. This has many points of danger though the operation of it is not so dangerous as most of the other machines. The top of the saw should be guarded with a sheet metal guard like "A". Wire mesh and angle iron guard "B" gives protection to the side and rear of the saw and the rear of the machine, including the belt and the pulley. "C" shows a wire mesh and iron guard for the upright belt driving the

saw.

This guards to a sufficient height to protect the operator if the belt should break. It is attached to the frame of the machine. Attached to "C" is the sheet metal guard "D" which prevents the operator's hand from coming into contact with the belt when taking hold of the handle to pull the saw forward. "E" is the limit stop chain, which prevents the saw from being pulled beyond the table, while "F" shows a safety chain for the counter balance weight. Constant vibration and jar often break the arm holding the weight, or the arm is frequently tipped downward and the set screw holding the weight on the arm loosens and the weight slides off, but the safety chain holds the weight, which is a good thing when one remembers that this is usually directly over the operator. "G" is the belt shifter, conveniently arranged for the operator.

The band scroll saw is another dangerous machine, but when protected, as in Figure 3, the danger is eliminated. The guard, as shown here, is made of oneinch angle iron frame, over which is fastened a screen of one-half inch mesh. There is a sliding piece of steel attached to the top frame, which slides down over the saw to the saw guide, and raises and lowers with it, leaving no part of the saw exposed but what the actual thick

ness of the lumber demands. This guard is fastened to the machine by hangers and clasps and may be swung open when it is necessary to change the saw.

The writer has always considered the circular rip-saw (Figure 4) the most terrifying piece of machinery in a wood-working factory. Others have evidently been possessed of the same idea because innumerable devices have been made which, when used, render the machine safe. Which guard to choose depends largely on the conditions under which the rip-saw is to be operated. Figure 5 shows one which, being supported by ceiling attachments, leaves the top of the table clear. This is furnished with a knuckle joint attachment making various adjustments possible, while the sleeve carrying the hood is equipped with case-hardened steel rollers to make the hood self adjustable. There is a steel dog attachment on the rear of the hood to prevent the material from kicking back. Figure 5A shows a similar device, except that it has a side adjustment so that the hood may be pushed to one side for "end up" work. (See cover of March issue.)

In 5C is shown a popular and practical guard. This type is made necessary in several states where the laws require that "all circular saws used for ripping, other than self-feed saws, must be equipped with a splitter." This type may be used on the sliding table cut-off saw as well as on the rip-saw. The splitter, or spreader, prevents the lumber from burning the saw by binding on it and also prevents the ends from getting back on the saw when cutting off. Figures 5D to 5K illustrate other somewhat varying types of guides for the rip-saw.

Next consider the hand planer, or jointer, which the law in some states, and common sense elsewhere, requires to be fitted with safety cylinder heads, and a guard placed over the knives to protect the hands of the operator. Figure 6 illustrates how the square head has proved dangerous, while 6A shows the working of the safety cylinder head. It has been found from experience that the latter practically eliminates the possibility of serious injury to the hands, while many accidents have occurred on jointers which were fitted with guards over a square knife head. No doubt many of these accidents were caused by the fact that the operator had neglected to use the guard, therefore if the jointer can be made a little more fool-proof by the use of the cylinder head, so much the better. It will also be noted that the set screws on the square head are exposed, while on the cylinder head they are countersunk. Many types of guards are in use on these machines, some of which may be seen in Figures 6B to 6D, inclusive. Any of them are efficient if used according to instructions.

In the shaper we also have a most dangerous machine. The heads should be guarded, or forms used in which the part operated is securely fastened. The use of both the guard and the form is not an unwise precaution. Figures 7 to 7E show several types of these guards.

Appreciating the fact that illustrations are frequently better than words, an attempt has been made in this article to show safeguards for the cut-off saw, band scroll saw, rip-saw, jointer and shaper (the five most dangerous machines in common use in furniture factories) without

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an over-supply of descriptive detail. The application of common sense, with the use of guards, will make these machines safe, and it behooves the workman to appreciate this fact so that he will use the guards intelligently after his employer has gone to the trouble and expense of having them installed as a part of the plant equipment.

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Kapok from the Philippines

IIE true kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra), the product of which must be differentiated from that known as "silk cotton" and "tree cotton," terms commonly applied to the floss of both the Ceiba and Bombas species, grows naturally and under cultivation in the Philippines to a height of fifty feet or less. The trunk, which is slender, usually bears stout, short spines and the branches, which are horizontal, produce distant whorls which give the tree its characteristic appearance.

The fruit, which contains the long, shining, silken hairs of white or somewhat brownish color-the kapok of commerce surrounding numerous black, globose seeds, is an oblong, five-celled, pendulous capsule about six inches in length and two inches thick. There are in tropical America eight species of the same genus (C'eiba), but the product of these is generally considered inferior to that of the Philippine tree. Some forty-five or fifty other species are grouped in the allied genus Bombar, but the floss of these also is much inferior to that of the true kapok tree.

Because of the shortness and brittleness of the hairs, kapok was until recently considered unfit for textile purposes. However, it is reported that a process for spinning the floss into yarn has been recently discovered in Germany and the texture of the finished product is said to be of fine quality. Kapok is principally used, however, in mattresses and bedding factories, where it is employed as a filler for mattresses, pillows, cushions, etc. The floss also is used to some extent in the manufacture of bandages and life-saving appliances. In connection with the latter industry, the government restricted its use to the product of the Java tree until 1912, when the Philippine kapok was found to meet the requirements.

As a result of recent development in kapok cultivation in the Philippines, the export of the floss is increasing and is expected to become one of the important commercial contributions of the island possessions. Under direction of the government and agricultural authorities, several plantations for its production have been established. Kapok exports from the Philippines in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1913, amounted to 245,409 pounds, valued at $14,292, an increase of nearly 200,000 pounds as compared with the previous year.

In former years, much of the Philippine product was exported to the Netherlands, but in 1912-13, kapok chiefly was shipped to the United States, Germany and Australia. Complaints have followed the imperfect cleaning of the Philippine floss, but special attention is now given this process in the islands, where machines are now available for the purpose.

Kapok is said to be fairly plentiful in Western and Southern India and Burmah, but there the term is applied to the product of both the Bombax and Ceiba and none of the floss is exported. Kapok for the export is packed in bales of 60 to 90 pounds, and prices range from 12 to 1312 cents a pound for floss of the finest quality, and 8 to 9 cents a pound for the uncleaned silk. The best quality is believed to come from the district of Japara, near Samarang, and the second quality from Batavia.

The peculiar odor which sometimes accompanies kapok is said to originate in the seeds or other material sepa

rated from the floss by the gin process. The oil that is manufactured from the seeds, and which may be responsible for the odor, is chiefly exported to the Straits Settlements. Because of the expense entailed in its manufacture, kapok yarn under present conditions cannot successfully compete with cotton yarn.

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Rattan and Sea-grass Furniture

HE trend of American taste toward the bungalow style of living is having a marked effect upon the furniture industry of Hongkong and upon the rattan and grass-twine trade of South China. The increased exports from Hongkong of rattan and sea-grass furniture, which commenced about two years ago, have teen continued in increasing proportion during the past year, and the indications are that the current season will witness a larger demand than ever for such goods. Shipments of such furniture and unmanufactured rattan to the United States during 1913 amounted to a declared value of $180,489, of which $77,653 was of rattan and rattan furniture and $102,836 of "sea-grass" furniture, in which rattan and other materials also entered. The figures of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce show that shipments to continental Europe increased almost 100 per cent. during 1913 over those of 1912, while those to Great Britain were in still larger proportion. The demand for such furniture in South Africa has increased to such a point that the leading Hongkong factory and exporting concern has opened a branch house in Durban and is making arrangements for a similar enterprise in Cape Town. Similar enterprises are also being undertaken in various South American countries. The trade in such goods with Canada has grown especially rapidly and is now large in volume. Trade with the United States in the near future promises to be on a much larger scale than ever as a result of the reduction of the tariff on furniture from 35 per cent. to 15 per cent. ad valorem. The chief interference with the further development of the trade at present is high freight. The ordinary freight charge on the average rattan or sea-grass chair made in Hongkong at present and shipped to either the United States or Europe is substantially 100 per cent. of its value.-Geo. E. Anderson, American Consul.

Striking Changes in American Trade

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URING the last third of a century factory products have been steadily supplanting the products of the farm in the export trade of the United States. In 1880, agricultural products formed 84.3 per cent. of the exports, and manufactures (exclusive of foodstuffs) only 14.78 per cent. In 1913, the proportion of manufactures in the export trade had increased to 48.8 per cent., while that of agricultural products had dropped to 46.1 per cent. With the increase in exports of manufactures there has been a steady increase in the imports of raw materials for use in manufacturing.

These and other significant changes in our trade are analyzed in an interesting manner in the "Annual Review of the Foreign Commerce of the United States,” a bulletin just issued by the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.

The publication also contains a set of charts which graphically show the heavy increase in the American export trade in several leading manufactures. Copies of the bulletin (Miscellaneous Series No. 14) may be obtained upon application to the bureau.

A PRETTY good factory rule to keep in mind is that you can move material along six feet on a level floor while you are moving it one foot upward toward a second story.

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