Snippets of Information Regarding the Gorham Company

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Commissioner-General Ferdinand W. Peck the Guest of the Gorham Mfg. Co.

Providence, R. I.. Jan. 12.—Ferdinand W. Peck, Commissioner-General for the United States to the Paris Exposition of 1900. yesterday afternoon was jointly the guest of pilot commissioner Frank M. Burrough, a life long friend, and secretary J. F. P. Lawton, of the Gorham Mfg. Co.. Commissioner Peck, accompanied by Major Fred. N. Brackett, of New York, secretary and director-in-chief of the exhibit staff; B. D. Woodward, of New York, assistant commissioner-general, and F. E. Skiff, an expert on textiles, arrived in the city on the noon train from Boston.

At 1 o'clock the party lunched at the Providence Athletic Association's club house as the guests of the Gorham Mfg. Co. After luncheon carriages were taken for an inspection by the visitors of the works of the Gorham Mfg. Co., the Nicholson File Co. and the Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. in response to invitations from the heads of these concerns. It is understood that the three concerns mentioned are to be among the largest exhibitors in their lines from the United States at the Paris Exposition.

Last evening at 6 o'clock Commissioner Peck and his staff were entertained at a complimentary dinner given at the Narragansett hotel by Governor Dyer. Commissioner Peck made an exceedingly interesting though informal address in which he set forth the advantages which would accrue to manufacturers making exhibits at the Paris Exposition. Among those present at the dinner connected with the jewelry and allied interests were George W. Parks, of Parks Bros. & Rogers, and J. F. P. Lawton, of the Gorham Mfg. Co.. Lucien Sharpe, of the Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co., and Col. S. M. Nicholson, of the Nicholson File Co., received invitations but were unable to attend.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 25th January 1899

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H.S. Leggett, an expert plater and metal finisher, who was for many years with the Whiting Manufacturing Company and the Gorham Manufacturing Company has taken a position with Edward Miller & Co. Meriden, Conn. where he will have charge of the plating, gilding and all of the different metal finishing departments.

Source: The Metal Industry - April 1909

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A quarterly dividend of 1½ per cent, on the common and preferred stock of the Gorham Mfg. Co. has been declared, payable on April 1 to stockholders of record.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 5th April 1899

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Action has been begun in a $15,000 damage suit against the Gorham Mfg. Co. by the administrator of the estate of F. H. Boyes, it being alleged by the plaintiff that the deceased came to his death through injuries received while an employe of the defendant company.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 5th April 1899

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CHARLES HENRY BAKER




Death of Charles Henry Baker

Providence, R.I. - April 22. Charles Henry Baker, for many years in the employ of the Gorham Mfg. Co, and for the last five years superintendent of their large works at Elmwood. this city, died at 8:15 o'clock this morning at his residence, 67 Stimson Ave. He had been unwell for some time with a form of heart trouble and, having been ordered to take perfect rest by his physician, had not been able to give active attention to his business in some months. Since taking a trip to Asheville, N. C, with his wife, last February, which was found not to be beneficial to his health as had been hoped. Mr. Baker took to his bed in order to obtain the perfect rest as diiected by his physician. Heart failure was the immediate cause of death.

Mr. Baker was born in August, 1843 at Nantucket. Mass., where he lived until the outbreak of the Civil War. Although he had not yet attained his majority he enlisted in the 20th Massachusetts regiment and served through the war. He entered the employ of the Gorham Mfg. Co. as a clerk, soon after the close of the war and gradually rose from one position to a higher until he was chosen superintendent to fill the place made vacant by the death of George Wilkinson in December, 1894. He had been assistant superintendent for several years previous to that time.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 26th April 1899

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The extensive silversmithing and bronze concern, the Gorham Manufacturing Company, employing nearly 3,000 hands, is only running three days a week and then only giving employment to such men in the various departments as is necessary to fill orders.

Source: The Metal Industry - January 1921

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PANAMA-PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION


The Gorham Company - New York-1917

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A glimpse of the tremendous war preparations of the United States and its allies, as well as a pointed lesson for manufacturers of non-essentials, was contained in an address by John S. Holbrook of the Gorham Mfg. Co. In the fine tableware and jewelry trade the Gorham Company’s name stands high among producers of expensive and artistic luxuries. In the munitions field it is rapidly assuming an equal prominence. Today this firm of silversmiths is making 10,000 75-millimeter cartridge cases every 10 hours, together with a daily Production of 100,000 loaded hand grenades, 2500 naval 4-inch cartridge cases, 15,000 Newton-Stokes trench mortar shells and innumerable small-arms cartridge cases. Since March I, 1917 the company has made or has on order, 6,600,000 brass and gilding-metal light arms cups; 275,000,000 brass and cupro-nickel cups (for Italy); 600,000 U. S. navy landing-gun casings; 3,875,000 75-millimeter American type cartridge cases; 600,000 4-inch naval gun cartridge cases; 9,000,000 hand grenades; 750,000 trench-mortar bombs; 1500 75—millimeter gun sleeves and 5000 airplane bombing sights. Numerous naval gun plotting boards and fine nautical instruments also are manufactured. To accomplish these results the Gorham Mfg. Co. has invested millions of additional capital and greatly enlarged its Plant facilities at the same time applying the peculiar skill of its highly trained metal and jewelry workers to direct war production.

Source: The Iron Trade Review - 13th June 1918

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The Gorham Mfg Co.'s stock reached $1,800 per share on Friday, the highest point attained in several months.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 16th September 1891

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The Gorham Mfg. Co. have recently installed better facilities for fire protection at their works in Elmwood. A fire near to the works demonstrated some little time ago that the water force in that vicinity was not adequate, Under the direction of master mechanic James M. Bogle the works have been placed in good condition for immunity from a disastrous blaze. An 8-inch supply pipe has been run into the yard from Earl St. to connect with the one from Adelaide Ave., and a complete circulation of water thus assured. One flush and two large stand pipe hydrants have been added to those already in use, and another underwriter pump has been added to the equipment of the pumphouse. This pump will deliver 1,000 gallons a minute at the pressure of 85 pounds.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 17th January 1900

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The employes of the Gorham Mfg. Co. have formed a football eleven with the following officers: W. L. Hughes, president; H. Broadhead, vice-president; R. E. Peters, treasurer ; J. Mills, secretary.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 23rd September 1891

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The Funeral of John Gorham





Providence, R.I., July 2 - The party that gathered around the casket that contained the remains of the late John Gorham, yesterday afternoon, numbered many residents who had been associated with Mr. Gorham in the early days of the Gorham Mfg. Co.. The funeral services, which were arranged according to the convenience of the family, occurred at 4 o'clock and were entirely devoid of any display. There were several beautiful floral pieces arranged on the casket, which was placed in the center of one of the large parlors, and among those gathered about were J. F. P. Lawton and several others who were members in the Gorham Mfg. Co. years ago.

The services were begun promptly at 4 o'clock by Rev. Dr. King, of the First Baptist Church, who read the burial service and passages from the Scriptures. Rev. Mr. Mott offered prayer. This ended the service at the house, and the remains were escorted to the North Burial Ground for interment.

An incident illustrating Mr. Gorham's strength and coolness of character was the following:

Escorting a party of ladies and gentlemen through the factory one morning, he observed that the heavy weight raised for stamping purposes caused considerable delay in turning out the goods. He asked the attendant of the machine if it was not possible to take the piece stamped from the machine without using the stick. The attendant replied "No." Mr. Gorham then said: "I will show you," and stepped to the machine and stopped it. He then started it and after the article had been stamped into shape attempted to take it from the die, when the drop falling caught and cut off three fingers and a part of the palm of his hand. With his proverbial coolness, Mr. Gorham excused himself to the people whom he was showing through the factory and then told the workman he might go on using the stick. Covering his bleeding hand with his other hand, he went to the office and sent for a physician.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 6th July 1898

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Excellence of the Power Wagon Delivery System of a Large New York Concern


A light electric delivery wagon bowls easily along one of New York's up-town thoroughfares, guided with wonderful precision amid the dense traffic, now passing a plodding horse delivery wagon, now overtaking a procession of cabs, only to be held at some busy cross street by the signal of a policeman. At the sound of his whistle it again resumes its ten-mile per hour speed and eventually comes to a stop. A man in uniform gets down with a parcel, delivers it, obtains an acknowledgment of its delivery, exchanges a word with the motorman, who shoves forward the control lever, and the machine is off again on its time-saving journey. Every second counts, for the wagon is on a regular delivery which is run per schedule. The vehicle is "No 8" of the Gorham company's delivery service.



In the company's garage on 36th street, the manager, Mr. L. Demmert, can at any time tell where "No. 8" is, when it will be back, how much current it will have when it gets back and, therefore, how much further it will run before recharging. He can tell all this, provided the wagon is properly handled, and if it isn't—but that is another story.

The delivery system of the Gorham company, silversmiths of New York City, is one of the most interesting installations of power wagons among that class which has to meet a little more than average conditions of both light and heavy work. Despite the fact that the company's patronage comes from all parts of Greater New York, from New Jersey, Long Island and Harlem —its deliveries have been made economically and satisfactorily by electric vehicles since the spring of 1899. Not a horse to a Gorham vehicle in seven years! Inasmuch as this service has proven to be exceptionally efficient, it is well to note just what factors have entered into its success.



The management seemed to realize at the outset that the location of the garage plays an important part in the efficiency of the service. Since the Gorham retail store was centrally located, it was only in accord with fortunate circumstances that the garage could at once be central, near the store, and out of the high rent district. But establishing the garage in the company's factory was a commendable and far-sighted arrangement. The factory lower floor could hardly be put to a more economical use. The retail store is at the intersection of Fifth avenue with 36th street, while the factory is near Seventh avenue, only two or three minutes away.

The ground floor of the factory is 35 feet by 90 feet, which is sufficient room to accommodate the wagons, a machine and tool shop at the rear end, a locker room, and a twelve section rheostat charging board. The garage floor is cement, graded slightly toward the center, where are two sewer grates, located about twenty feet from either end, over which the vehicles are washed.

At the rear, under a grand skylight, and occupying a ten-foot space the entire width of the room, is a machine shop having a drill press and lathes operated by an electric motor. The machine and tool equipment is such as to enable the company to make all its own repairs. A great saving has in this way been effected. It has been necessary to replace several axles, driving pinions and motor parts, and to make several minor improvements in the wagons from time to time. This work, together with battery attention and replacements, requires the services of a machinist, battery-man and two helpers who also do the garage work.



It would seem that the same care which is found in one department permeates the whole institution. In a delivery service, truly, time is money, and judging from the Gorham establishment one would think that seconds measure dollars. Extra sets of wheels are kept on the garage floor for use in such emergencies as cut tires, smashed wheels from skidding into curbings. Such accidents are rare, but if no provision were made to meet them immediately a simple accident might lay the wagon up for hours.

Extra parts, such as steering gears, motor bushings, driving pinions, axles, tires, battery plates, in fact all parts subject to wear, and patterns of other parts, are always in stock. In the course of a season the saving of time resulting from this provision, magnified by the aggregate of the vehicles, mounts into a tidy sum. Economy of this kind is the best indication of administrative ability in the operation of power wagons.

The current for charging the batteries is taken direct from the New York Edison company's wires, and is handled through Westinghouse automatic cut off rheostats provided with twelve leads to the garage right hand side wall, where a dozen vehicles may be charged simultaneously. The battery equipment is uniform in capacity for all the vehicles, but differs in types. The vehicles of the Gorham service are particularly adapted to the demands made upon them. They are graded as to weight, capacity, range of speed and rate of speed. The equipment comprises in all 15 wagons. One two-ton truck is in service day in and day out between the docks,'where it receives shipments of goods from the company's Providence factory, and the store or warehouse. Two one-ton trucks are in constant daily service between the Fifth avenue store and the 36th street factory or the warehouse. Nine light delivery wagons are under a rigid schedule on uptown and downtown parcel deliveries, forenoon and afternoon, so that they average uniformly 30 miles each per day during the busy season between October and July. Aside from the above, there are two four-passenger surreys for the accommodation of visiting buyers, and a light runabout.

The entire establishment is under the supervision of the manager. There is maintained a rigid and frequent inspection of all the vehicles, and with the system of charging and caretaking it is no wonder that all of the units are at all times ready to meet the most exacting service.

A record of the work of the wagons is kept which considers one wagon as a unit, and not as a part of the whole system. A check is thus had upon the motorman and deliveryman as well as upon the actual efficiency of the machine. Each vehicle has a book, numbered corresponding to its own number, wherein is entered every item of the care, operation and repair. These books are kept by the manager, and from them, with their records of odometer mileage, weight of loads, and number of packages delivered, can be determined the exact cost per ton-mile, per vehicle mile, or per hundred parcels, or any other variation of computation that may be desired over any period.

In the delivery of goods the Gorham company, on account of its class of trade, the frequent stops, long hauls and great value of parcels carried, provides each wagon with two men—a motorman and a deliveryman. The deliveryman is also a motorman, so that in cases of emergency, like arrest, he can take the wagon to the garage without any interruption in service. This brings the total of employes up to twenty-eight.

Prior to the installation of this service the company's delivery and truck work was done under contract, so that no comparison of costs between the old and existing service can be instituted. However, with the present system working with such clock-like precision, to match it by a horse delivery would require more than 50 horses, 25 wagons and 60 men. The saving of the motor system in wages alone, figuring $15 per week as average wage, would amount to more than $20,000 per annum. Inasmuch as the transportation company with which the Gorham company formerly contracted was not in the business for health betterment, it is safe to assert that it did not take much more than a twelve-month to pay for the cost of the motor installation and equipment, especially when the other items of saving are figured into the account.

The chief factors in the great success of this service are: saving in garage location, saving in garage operation, saving in reduced repair costs, saving in time by keeping repair parts in stock, saving in battery upkeep effected by system of charging and inspection, saving in wear and tear by closely fitting the machines into the services' demands, saving of wear by eliminating causes for overloading by adaptation of vehicles to the loads. These and other less significant features of administration make the Gorham delivery service a model installation.

Source: The Power Wagon - September 1906

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The Gorham Mfg. Co. have filed a judgment of $28.97 against J. Henry Galt.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 3rd September 1902

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The executive committee of the Jewelers League ordered the following prizes to be offered the League members: A first prize of a gold watch costing $75, to be awarded the member proposing the largest number of accepted members, exceeding five, from July 1, 1902, to Jan. 1, 1903; a second prize of a gold watch costing $50, to be awarded the member proposing the largest number of accepted members, exceeding three, during the same time; a third prize of a 14 karat gold official League button, to be awarded every member proposing an accepted member during the same time; the first and second prizes to be presented or awarded at the next annual meeting of the League; the third prize to be given at the office of the League, or forwarded to the person entitled to the same. These prizes are now on exhibition in the window of the Gorham Mfg. Co., 21 Maiden Lane.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 24th September 1902

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The silver statue of Columbus, which was a prominent feature in the Gorham Mfg. Co.'s exhibit at the World's Fair, arrived in this city Monday last from Chicago. The company have not yet decided whether they will again place it on public exhibition or not, but an effort is being made to have it placed for a while in the rotunda of the City Hall.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 6th December 1893

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Thos. Y. Midlen, who for the past three years has been the Chicago manager of the Gorham Mfg. Co., will, on Feb. 1, accept a more important position in the New York house. During the three years that he has been in charge of the Chicago house there has been a continued growth of the business at that center, and Mr. Midlen's departure from here will be regretted by the members of the trade. Permanent arrangements as to the management of the Chicago office have not yet been decided upon.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 25th January 1899

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George Tunstall, of the Gorham Interests, returned last week from his final trip and after remaining here for a few days left for New York where he will remain until after the holidays visiting with his parents. Arthur McVoy, of the same concern, also completed traveling for the year and left for New York to spend the holidays with his family.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th December 1922

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There has been a general apathy in the manufacturing jewelry business and the kindred and associated trades during the past month. In some lines of the metal trades, however, there has been a brisk business reported. The outlook is not so encouraging as many of the business men of the city would like to see, and much anxiety is manifested as to what the outcome of the tariff agitation is to be. Work in the various foundries is reported as being unusually good, while at the bronze foundry of the Gorham Manufacturing Company in Elmwood the orders continue to increase notwithstanding the department has work enough on hand to keep it running full time for two years without any additional orders being received.

Source: The Metal Industry - April 1913

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The Industrial Exposition, Fuller Building, Providence, R.I.

Gorham Manufacturing Co.

Directly to the rear of the room and at the head of the stairs, where it would catch the visitors' eyes upon first entrance, was the imposing exhibit of the Tilden-Thurber Co., local representatives of the Gorham Manufacturing Co., and Walter H. Durfee & Co., under the personal supervision of William Thurber. The walls about this exhibit were draped with dark garnet Canton flannel, setting off to excellent advantage the pretty and costly articles of silverware pleasingly displayed in the cases. The glaring light was further subdued by the heavy canopied ceiling with overhanging draperies of the same heavy textile. Long tall show cases of mahogany graced the back of the booth and in these were arranged the beautiful examples of the silversmith's art that were among the treasures of the concern. Here were examples of Colonial tea sets, hand engraved, finely chased pieces, such as a magnificent silver salver worth $2,500, punch bowl valued at $2,250 and innumerable other examples of high value, the whole combining to make a display worth nearly $80,000. In the flat cases which encircled the front of the space were shown Turkish coffee sets, examples of Rookwood goods, etched glass, jeweled, engraved, etched and cut glassware, flat ware of the famous mythological pattern, articles of transparent enameling valued at from $150 to $500 each, porcelain painting, antique and enameled work of all descriptions. Several fine examples of ecclesiastical goods in gold, silver, brass and combinations made attractive showings. In the center of the booth, between the cases, on heavy Turkish rugs, were several handsome chests of flat ware and sets of various kinds for wedding presents. Added interest was given to the display by the exhibits of the bronze casting done by the Gorham Co. Appropriate to the season of the Queen's Jubilee was shown a life size bronze bust of England's "grand old man," William E. Gladstone, while another excellent example of bronze work was an immense eagle, with outspread wings, battling with a huge python, whose distended mouth and aggressive poise of head made a fascinating group that received much attention. Several clerks were in attendance to show and explain the handsome goods.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 23rd June 1897

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