Lay Corner Stone for Simonds Windowless Factory

Witnessed by a gathering of over 500 spectators, including municipal officials and industrial leaders, the corner stone of the first windowless factory-the ultra-modern plant of the Simonds Saw and Steel Cornpany, was. taid _at Fitchburg, Mass. on Saturday forenoon, December 20. This marks another decisive step in the advancement in industrial activities of the country's foremost organization in the edge-tool field.

Thomas F. Howarth, vice president, who on the same tive and abilityof Daniel Simonds, and of his three sqns who succeeded him, and are now at the head of the company' many new ideas of indusheretofore been tried in a chiefly for manufacturing

"This structure will embody trial construction that have not building of this size, intended purposes.

"While the application of these ideas may be new and untried, the purpose back of their adoption is not new to date observed his 50th anniversary as an employe and officer of the company, officiated at the ceremony. Following introductory remarks by Hon. Joseph N. Carriere, mayor of Fitchburg, Mr. Howarth spoke briefly, referring to the establishment of the Simonds industries by Abel Simonds, 99 years ago. Mr. Howarth paid tribute to the late Daniel Simonds, under whose direction great advancement lvas made in the company's development.

Mr. Howarth said in part:

"In the town of Fitchburg, Mass., in 1832, Abel Simonds started in the business of manufacturing tempered steel cutting edge tools. Figuratively speak'ing, he, by that act, laid the corner stone on which has been builded the present Simonds Industries.

"In the city of Fitchburg, Mass., practically one hundred years later, we are today laying the actual corner stone for a new Simonds factory building, significant of the development of the Simonds Saw and Steel Company up to the present time. This development has been due to the initia- the Simonds Company but has been a guiding policy of the company since its establishment.

"That purpose has been and now is to provide the best working conditions, to provide the best of service and quality of product for our customers, and to aid and encourag'e the industrial growth of the city of Fitchburg. Those things that are the best for others we truly believe are best for ourselves.

"Fifty years ago this morning I began working for the Simonds Company. I have worked for them ever since and consider it a great personal privilege to assist in laying this corner stone for the new factory and to place within it a sealed copper box containing records and data which may be of interest when opened at some unknou'n time in the future.

"This has been done. The mortar has been spread. The stone has been set in place. I therefore declare this corner stone well and truly laid and I norv turn over to the president of the company the spegial tror'vel used only on this one occasion, to keep as a reminder of this event. M"y the ideals and visions of the Simonds Company long endure."

Responding, President Alvan T. Simonds said that the laying of this corner stone marks a new era in factory construction as rvell as an effort by this,company to make business better. He mentioned the investigation which swer is that we do not know, and we do not believe that they know. We have always worked for the comfort and well'being of our men, and in this factory everything that science can suggest to that end has been incorporated."

General Manager Gifford K. Simonds expressed his confidence in the successful development of the new factory and methods of manufacture. He said: "In order to get has been made by officials of the Company to determine on a more efficient method of manufacture and scientific factory construction. President Simonds stressed the investigations and research made by Gifford K. Simonds, general manager of the Company, saying the new idea islargely due to his efforts. Said Mr. Simonds: "We have frequently been asked how our men will like it. Our an- perfect conditions in a building the first requisite is controlled conditions. We cannot control sunlight and therefore must have light control conditions. The new machines in this factory will not look like the old ones. Everything has been planned for the greatest comfort and welfare of the men who will work in this new factorv."