AN INSTRUCTIVE TRIP.
A very entertaining and instructive visit was made by a number of students of the senior class, on Saturday, Jan. 12th, to the Mineral Water Works of Dr. Carl H. Schultz.
The trip was arranged by the Pharmaceutical Club, of 37th East 19th St., represented by Mr. T. B. Dean, its corresponding secretary, which seems to be especially active as regards our interest and welfare and extends to us the fostering care of a parental guardian. It is due to this club’s hospitality and magnanimity that our Glee Club has thrived so wonderfully.
Mr. Dean kindly introduced us to Mr. Louis Waefelaer, M. E., the assistant chemist of the works (Dr. A. P. Hallock, Ph. D., the chief chemist and Dr. Schultz being away at the time), and Mr. Paul Dimmer, the foreman. These gentlemen, starting at the beginning of the works where the croton water enters by five different mains, and followed the course of the water through each step of the process, whereby the water was filtered, then heated to destroy organic as well as to drive off decomposing and volatile organic matter as well as other impurities and the filtered water there distilled by the most practical and complete apparatus conceivable; then the water was repeatedly subjected to tests, for various impurities, in their admirably equipped chemical laboratory, which is also supplied with a room specially devoted to bacteriological work, and a dark room for spectrum analysis and photographic investigation. Here also are prepared the solutions used in making the various mineral waters and where the finished product of the factory is brought before being sent out in order to be tested and to make doubly certain that it agrees with the label bearing the analysis of contents, which is placed on each siphon of water sent out. Here also we quenched our thirst with the products of the stills of this as well as with the products of the stills of other factories.
The carbonic acid gas used in charging the waters also passes after generation through a set of coolers, mashers and purifiers, to completely remove all impurities, and is stored till required for charging.
The whole establishment, embracing nineteen different departments, employs over 250 men and 100 horses; the fountain, bottle and siphon filling department has a capacity of 50,000 siphons or 10,000 gallons per day. The elaborate machinery of the works is mainly the invention of the proprietor, his deceased son and staff; not the least important among which is the invention of Mr. Paul Dimmer.
Mr. Louis Waefelaer, the assistant chemist, is a young mechanical engineer of high standing and has sole charge of the mechanical department. Every department is scrupulously clean and neat, and the employees think Mr. Schultz is one of the best and most liberal men to work for, for he spares no expense in investigations and experiments calculated to improve the accuracy and purity of the products of his works, and the safeguards against accident to employees are both numerous and well devised. Several other parties will be formed, from the senior class, during the course of the term and will visit and be shown the workings of this “model establishment.”
Class Reporters.