Investigation of the Condition and Power Requirements of Furniture and Hoisery Mill in Tenn.

The purpose of the investigation was: First- To determine what condition actually existed in the furniture factories and hosiery mills of Tennessee. Second- To determine whether or not there existed a fixed relation between the amount of power used and the number of workmen employed in plants engaged in the same kind of manufacturing. Third- To determine what effect operating conditions have on the above relation. Fourth- To determine what unit forms the most satisfactory basis for comparing two plants as regards economy in the use of power.

It has been my aim to try and show that conditions are deplorable in the furniture factories of the state, especially in their boiler rooms. It seems that the engineering of hosiery mills is, as a rule more carefully done than is the case with furniture factories. The nature of the machinery in hosiery mill requires a high degree of mechanical skill and knowledge in its operation and care. It is only natural that a man possessing these requirements would also be more or less familiar with good engineering practice as regards power development and utilization.

t is brought out later on in the report that there is a relation between the power used and the number of workmen in plants engaged in the same work. The results show that this relation is very seriously effected by conditions.

The most satisfactory unit with which to compare two plants is the horse power used per machine operator, considering as a machine operator any employee using a machine or tool which uses power from & motor or the engine.