repair, and in building new and special tools for the works. The entire first floor of the erecting shops is 140 x 206 feet.

In the angle formed by the machine and erecting shops are located the engines and boilers for the main shops. The former is a 125 horse power Reynolds' Corliss engine. South of the erecting shop, on the Barclay street side is the new foundry, occuping the same ground as the one that burned last January. It is 128 feet wide, 375 feet long and in the centre has a clear span of 60 feet, 35 feet from the floor to under side of chords. This space of 60 x 375 feet is covered by two traveling cranes, each capable of lifting twenty tons, and which can be used together or separately as desired. The cupolas, core ovens, cleaning room and moulding floors for the lighter work are on either side of this central space, and are fitted up in the most complete manner possible. To the east of the main foundry building, and separate from it, is a three-story brick building 40 x 120 feet, containing the engine-a 150 horse power upright Reynolds' Corliss-boilers, core boxes, coke piles, etc., and to the south of this building are the sheds for sand, etc. South of the foundry and separated from the office building by a court 60 feet wide, is the building for storing patterns. It is a threestory brick building 110 x 122 feet, with brick fire wall through the centre, and fitted throughout to be as safe from damage by fire as possible. It was built in 1885, and is filled to overflowing with pat. terns, which have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and which could not be replaced, if destroyed, by years of steady work.

The block between Park and Pierce

streets is nearly covered by frame buildings. The new machine shop, built in 1883, is 60 x 230 feet, two stories high, and is equipped for doing saw mill work, heater work and stock work on engines. Here are built the Hinkley band saw tills, saw mill carriages, edgers, trimmers, circular saw mills, etc. The band saw mill, designed by Mr. G. M. Hinkley, a thoroughly practical saw mill man, marks as important a change in the manufacture of lumber as did the roller mill in the manufacture of flour, or the Reynolds' Corliss engine in western steam using practice. By its use fifteen per cent. is saved over former methods, and the lumber is better sawed and freer from defects than either circular or gang sawed lumber. The Hinkley band mill was first put on the market in 1885, twenty-five having been sold that year and over fifty in 1886, while the trade for the present year will be even greater. To the south of this building are brick engine and boiler rooms, the engine being one hundred and fifty horse power. On the south of engine house is the carpenter shop, 60 x 300 feet, three stories high. The first section of this building, 208 feet long and two stories high, was put up in 1882. It was extended and a third story added in 1886, and at the same time a three-story addition, 32 x 112 feet, fronting on Barclay street, was built and is used for storage of machinery, etc., before shipment. The tracks of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway extend along the Barclay street side of the works, and by means of suitable side tracks and tracks through the yard, reach every portion of the works and give ample shipping facilities.

The Bay State works, heretofore mentioned, consist of a brick building, 50 x 260 feet, three stories high. This is the original shop. Adjoining it on Barclay street is a one-story frame addition, 50 x 250 feet. This plant is used exclusively for manufacturing Gray's patent roller mills, of which nearly twenty thousand machines have been built and shipped, going to all parts of this country, as well as to England, Australia, New Zealand and South America. The Bay State works, devoted as they are to the manufacture of one special machine, fairly illustrate the magnitude of the milling industry of this country. The accompanying illustration clearly shows the external appearance of these works.

The giant growth of the Reliance works from 1861 to 1887, including both years, can be partly shown by a comparison of the pay rolls and salesbooks then and now. In 1861 the average force employed was about twenty men, the amount paid in wages was $14,000, while the sales for that year were only $29,000. In 1862 the sales only reached to $33,500, while the wages account was swelled to $20,000. The exceedingly large ratio of wages paid to amount received for the work is characteristic of the work done at that time, consisting as it did largely of repair work and small jobs, in which the labor was the most important item of cost. When the pipe shop was in operation this condition of affairs was reversed, and we find in 1874 that the wages paid was barely one-tenth of the sales; since that time the ratio of wages to sales has been steadily increasing. In 1884, with a force of something over one thousand men, the wages account

amounted to over six hundred thousand dollars, the year's sales amounting to over two millions of dollars. For 1887, with an average force of about twelve hundred men, the amount paid in wages and the amount of sales will be somewhat greater than in 1884. A much larger amount of work will be turned out, but prices are lower and the introduction of improved methods of manufacture has avoided the employment of any great amount of new help or the cutting down of wages, the average of the latter being, if anything, higher now than in 1884.

When it is taken into consideration that a working force of twelve hundred men represents a population of at least five thousand, enough to make quite a pretentious city, and that of the $600,000 paid in wages nearly the whole amount is spent at home, the importance of a vast industrial establishment like the Reliance works as a factor in the industrial and commercial prosperity of the community of which it forms a part is apparent, and the good accomplished by one active, energetic, indefatigable and hard working man in the course of his business lifetime begins to be appreciated. It is also worthy to be noted that in all these years there has always been the most perfect harmony between employer and employés, strikes being unknown. Some of the men have, with their employer, grown gray in the service. There is no doubt that much of the remarkable success of the works is due to the care taken by the proprietor at all times to make the men feel that he is not only interested in their welfare, but that they, as well as himself, are directly interested in the welfare of the works.

To the history of the Reliance works there is little to add to make it a full record of the life of the owner, for since he became the owner he has been inseparable from the business and has in all things given it his first and most careful thought.

Edward P. Allis, the son of Jere and Mary Allis, was born at Cazenovia, New York, May 12, 1824. He graduated from Union college, Schenectady, in 1845, his education having been with a view to the practice of law. However, his tastes favored an active business life, and in 1846 he located at Milwaukee, where in connection with William Allen he opened a leather store at what is now 344 East Water street. The firm of Allis & Allen continued till 1854, during which time it built a large tannery at Two Rivers, Wisconsin. In 1854 Mr. Allis sold out his interest in the firm and in connection with John P. McGregor engaged in the real estate and brokerage business. In 1861 he came into possession of the Reliance works, as already stated, and from that time forward his business history is written in the history of the works.

In personal appearance Mr. Allis is of average height, rather slight, but very compactly and strongly built, and is capable of great physical endurance. He is quick in

his motions, a rapid walker and his every action impresses one with the fact that he is firm of purpose and tireless in the pursuit of his business interests. He is quick to decide, relies upon his own judgment, has executive abilities of a high order, attends strictly to his business and expects everyone in his employ to do the same. He is quiet in manner, simple in his tastes and inclined to be reticent. He is a fine scholar, a great reader, and has always kept fully posted in all scientific, mechanical and political matters. In political faith Mr. Allis is a Republican and in full sympathy with that party, except upon the currency question. In this he believes in the greenback policy, as formulated by Henry C. Carey, and in 1887 headed the ticket of the Greenback party of Wiscon sin as their candidate for governor. In his domestic relations Mr. Allis has been as fortunate as in his business life. In 1848 he married Margaret M. Watson of Geneva, New York. Mrs. Allis is a woman of much force of character, of superior attainments and great energy, and has been a help-mate in every sense of the word. They have a large family, and it would be hard to find a happier household.

ALBERT HOPPIN.