THE BEGINNING OF THE PORCELAIN PILGRIMAGE
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In accordance with Mr. Croyden's plan Theo and his host stepped, the
next morning, into the waiting motor-car and were whirled to the
porcelain factory.
As they rode along the boy remained silent until he saw Mr. Croyden
lay down his paper; then he asked:
"How many persons in the United States do you suppose are employed at
pottery-making, Mr. Croyden?"
"A great many," was the reply. "Before the war there were about
thirty-three thousand."
Theo gasped.
"Why, I had no idea of it!" he exclaimed.
"It takes a vast number of workmen to manufacture all the clay
products turned out in America. Remember dishes and ornaments are not
the only things made. The industry is classified, and covers white
earthenware, or the better qualities of imitation porcelain used by
those who cannot afford the real; this branch of the work alone takes
up about forty per cent. of the entire output. Then there is the
genuine porcelain for table and decorative use; the porcelain
necessary for electrical purposes; stoneware, or the commoner
household articles found in the kitchen comprising yellow ware,
Rockingham ware, and red earthenware; and in addition the great
quantities of sanitary ware for plumbing, drain-pipes, and tiling. Of
all these varieties of porcelain the hardest in quality, and the only
one absolutely non-absorbent, is true porcelain. Therefore it is the
cleanest to use. Kaolin being simply decomposed feldspar, and the
glaze applied to it being practically pure feldspar, the product is
merely a mass of feldspar melted in the fire until all the metals it
contains except platinum are eliminated. Such a composition is of
course far too brittle and delicate for ordinary use even did not its
expense prohibit our introducing it into the kitchen; but could we
substitute it for the cheaper wares it would be much more hygienic--a
factor persons are liable to forget when purchasing china."
"I never thought of that," said Theo.
"The general public does not," replied Mr. Croyden. "Still, now that
I have explained it, you can readily understand it. Another thing that
is not ordinarily considered is that porcelain-making is not as
healthful an occupation as we wish it were. Those who work in the
glazing department, where powdered flint and lead are used, inhale the
dust and in consequence are sometimes subject to tuberculosis or lead
poisoning just as painters are."
"Can't something be done about it? That seems a dreadful thing."
"It is a dreadful thing, and we are constantly trying to better
working conditions and lessen the danger. Yet if you were to examine
the details of other industries you would find that few of them are
entirely free from undesirable results. Almost every line of
manufacture has its peculiar risks," returned Mr. Croyden. "I do not
mean for a moment that for that reason we are justified in closing our
eyes to the dangers. I merely mean it is a fact. What we are trying
earnestly to do is to find a substitute for lead glaze. Could we
succeed we should eliminate a great proportion of the trouble."
"I suppose that would mean finding a different kind of enamel," mused
Theo.
"Precisely. And you recollect how long it took to discover those
enamels we are now using," answered Mr. Croyden. "It is a good problem
for some clever man, so bear it in mind. It is just such puzzles as
these that have raised up our inventors, and those who in one way or
another have perfected modern industry. Few who have contributed to
this cause stumbled upon their devices for the labor-saving or
convenience of mankind. Almost all such discoveries were called forth
by a great need, and were the result of hours and hours of patient
experiments in laboratories or workshops. Therefore when we pass
through a factory and see a process advancing easily from stage to
stage we should never forget those who toiled with brain and hand to
perfect each of its tiny details. Often some very insignificant but
vital part of a machine may represent the lifetime of an unknown
fellow-being who did his part in giving us a more perfect whole."
Theo glanced up quickly.
"I thought usually a machine was invented by one person," he said.
"Occasionally it is," admitted Mr. Croyden. "But more frequently our
modern machinery is a growth--the product of many minds. Year after
year defects have been eliminated, and improvements introduced.
Machines every part of which represent the thought of a single
individual are rare. Most machines are composite photographs of the
ingenuity and thought of many inventors."
The elder man paused, then added whimsically:
"Sometimes I feel like taking off my hat to a delicately adjusted and
intricate piece of machinery; it is so human and such a monument
to the men who conceived it."
The boy looked grave.
"If more people felt about machinery and about work as you do,
Mr. Croyden, they would have more respect for our industries as well
as for the men who run the machines."
"It should be so," was Mr. Croyden's instant reply. "A factory that
turns out a completed product is like a watch. You know that unless
every wheel of the watch turns; unless every minute rivet and screw is
in its place and doing its part we get no perfect result. It is just
as important a service to be a wee screw in that organism as to be
something larger and more conspicuous. So it is with each workman in
a factory. He performs his part--often, alas, a small and dull one
too, I am afraid; but viewed from the standpoint of the completed
product that man with his humdrum task is as worthy our respect as is
any other member of the working staff. Without somebody to do
precisely what he is doing we should get no satisfactory result."
"It is just team-work!" put in Theo.
"That's it--team-work; team-work and nothing else. And just as in
athletics some men better adapted for batting, catching, running, and
kicking are singled out for the posts of fielder, shortstop, or
tackle but contribute equally to the game, so it is with the men in a
factory. Some day the world is going to accept that creed and pay to
every human being a living wage; not, perhaps, because what he is
doing is skilled or difficult; but because it is indispensable and we
cannot do without that particular rung in the labor ladder. Some one
must fill that post, and he who does it should be respected and
compensated because he is necessary to civilization and to our
national prosperity."
Mr. Croyden caught his breath and then laughed in confusion.
"The idea of my giving you a lecture on the labor question, Theo," he
said flushing. "I always get hot on the matter, for it is one of my
hobbies. Next time when you hear me getting started just slow me down
and let me cool off. You see it is pretty close to my heart, because
I have been attempting to work out some of its difficult phases here
in my own mills. I am trying to pay to each of my men enough so he can
live decently and contentedly. It does not seem fair to pay them all
alike, since some are skilful enough to do more work, and work that is
more difficult than others. But each should be able to live
comfortably on what he earns. That is my idea of fairness toward the
working man; and that is the scheme that I am trying to carry out
here."
The car stopped abruptly before a great doorway and Mr. Croyden got
out.
"Having heard my views you are now to have a chance to see how
imperfectly my dreams have been realized," he said smiling. "I am far
from satisfied with present conditions in my factory. But every day
we are conscientiously trying to make things better, and some day I
hope we shall reach our goal."
Theo followed him into the hall.
It was interesting to notice that as the man passed along he exchanged
a word or two with every employee he met, calling many of them by
name, and in some cases adding a question concerning the wife or baby
at home. That the men liked their employer there could be no question.
His manner toward them was one of unaffected interest and
friendliness, and was entirely free from patronage or condescension.
His private office, too, was of the simplest type, being neatly but
not lavishly furnished. Evidently what was good enough for his men was
good enough for him. There were, however, in the two great windows
several boxes of blossoming plants which made the room fragrant.
"I am very fond of flowers, Theo," explained the mill-owner after he
had greeted his office force and introduced his guest. "It is my weak
spot--my one big extravagance. This room has just the exposure for
plants and we keep the boxes filled the year round. The boys have
nicknamed the place _the conservatory_ and the jest has stuck until
nobody thinks of calling the place anything else. If you were to ask a
man to come to the office he would have to scratch his head and think;
but if you told him he was wanted in the conservatory he would land
here double quick. Isn't that so?" concluded Mr. Croyden, turning to
the others.
Every one smiled and nodded.
Mr. Croyden hung up his hat and motioning Theo to do the same turned
to encounter a pile of mail that lay on his desk.
"Bless my soul, this is too bad!" he exclaimed. "Don't tell me that
to-day when I had planned to make a tour through the factory Uncle Sam
has come down on me with all this stuff!"
He glanced ruefully at the letter lying topmost on the heap; then at
the second one.
"I am afraid these will have to be attended to, Theo," he said with
regret. "Should you be dreadfully disappointed if I were to turn you
over to some one else for a part of your factory pilgrimage?"
"No, indeed, sir."
"I am sorry, but I guess that is what I shall have to do," declared
Mr. Croyden. "You can make a start, and later in the morning I will
try to join you myself."
He touched a bell.
"Send Marwood to me," he said to the boy.
"Mr. Marwood is a splendidly informed man, Theo; and more than that,
he is a delightful one. You will enjoy him, and I have a notion he
will enjoy you. He likes boys--has three of his own, lucky fellow! Ah,
here he comes now. Mr. Marwood, this is my young friend, Theo Swift of
New York."
The boy put out his hand shyly.
The eyes that met his were of the kindliest blue; and the face they
illumined was ruddy, wholesome, and alert.
Instantly Theo decided that since Mr. Croyden himself could not be his
guide he had at least provided a very pleasant substitute.
"Theo wants to see everything there is to be seen, Jack," continued
Mr. Croyden. "Tote him all about and answer all his questions; and
above all be thorough, even if you do not cover very much ground
during the morning. I want the processes carefully explained, for this
boy may be a china-maker himself some day. If I do not join you before
noontime bring all that is left of him back to the conservatory so I
can take him to lunch."
Mr. Marwood laughed, and so did Theo.
Then they passed out.
"Good luck!" called Mr. Croyden after them as he turned to take up his
mail.
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