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5418474_6_1379.xml
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5418474_6_1379.xml
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<title>
<bibl><title>Der Westen</title> (Sunday Edition of Illinois Staats-Zeitung),
<date when="1875-12-12">Dec. 12, 1875</date>.
<title level="a">The New Brunswick and Balke Billiard Factory</title>
<title level="a" type="sub">A Triumph of German Diligence and Enterprise</title>
</bibl>
</title>
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<publicationStmt>
<publisher>The Newberry Library</publisher>
<pubPlace>Chicago, Illinois</pubPlace>
<address>
<addrLine>60 West Walton</addrLine>
<addrLine>Chicago, IL 60610</addrLine>
<addrLine>USA</addrLine>
<addrLine>http://www.newberry.org</addrLine>
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<idno>5418474_6_1379</idno>
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<note>Transcribed from digital images contributed to the Internet
Archive by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.</note>
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<item>GERMAN</item>
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<item>II A 2</item>
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<div type="citation">
<bibl><title>Der Westen</title> (Sunday Edition of Illinois Staats-Zeitung),
<date when="1875-12-12">Dec. 12, 1875</date>.
<title level="a">THE NEW BRUNSWICK AND BALKE BILLIARD FACTORY</title>
<title level="a" type="sub">A Triumph of German Diligence and Enterprise</title>
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<body>
<p>If a visitor crosses Rush Street bridge from the south, he will see a colossal brick building, six stories high and 120 feet square, which houses the new Brunswick and Balke Billiard factory. Nearly three hundred experienced German workers, skilled in various trades, find continuous employment here at fair wages which are promptly paid.</p>
<p>To praise the products of the Company would be like carrying coals to Newcastle, since they have not only a local, but a world reputation, and are unequaled. The readers should therefore not consider it an exaggeration when the assertion is made that this billiard factory is the largest and most up-to-date establishment of its kind in existence.</p>
<p>In order to give the reader of the Illinois Staats-Zeitung, as well as those who are interested in German industries, some impression of this extensive establishment, we shall ask you to go with us on a tour of inspection.</p>
<pb facs="5418474_6_1380.jpg" n="2"/>
<p>In the basement are steam boilers and engines which supply heat and power for the machinery throughout the building. Here also are the joiners' benches of latest construction, two big saws, and a large supply of lumber. Without going into details about machinery--since such descriptions would not be intelligible to the great majority--we shall only mention that the latest improvements and inventions have been incorporated into their wonderful machinery. If individuals are particularly interested, the firm will gladly provide them with an opportunity to see the plant.</p>
<p>On the first floor are the hall and office, also mills for boring the slate slabs in the billiard tables; wood-turning equipment for the manufacture of bowling pins and bowling balls, and a large supply of lumber.</p>
<p>The second floor contains the veneer-cutting machines [veneer saws] including six fret saws with blades of the finest hairspring steel....which cut, <pb facs="5418474_6_1381.jpg" n="3"/>with uncanny accuracy, the thousands of wooden ornaments used....on billiard tables--work which would be both laborious and very expensive if performed by hand. Here also the preliminary work on pockets and cushions is performed.</p>
<p>On the third floor the billiard tables are assembled and the fitting of the slate slabs (beds) is taken care of.</p>
<p>On the fourth floor the cushions and sides are completed, the inlays are fitted into the veneer, etc. Of particular interest is the great supply of various veneers, representing the costliest woods of various nations and climates. We shall mention only a few: rosewood, wood from the tulip tree, Californian laurel, and Hungarian ash.</p>
<p>On the fifth floor the heavy corner parts from the billiard tables are made; here also the pool tables are assembled. The....most popular brands are "The American", "Jenny Lind," "Virginius," "Parepa," etc.</p>
<pb facs="5418474_6_1382.jpg" n="4"/>
<p>Finally, on the sixth floor, extensive space is provided for painting, staining, varnishing; here, also, are the essential drying rooms. If we climb a few more steps--to the roof--we perceive a most imposing view, a panorama of Chicago and a huge expanse of Lake Michigan.</p>
<p>In spite of the great size of the building, and in spite of the fact that hundreds of people are employed by the Company, one notes exceptional quietness, order, and even cleanliness.</p>
<p>Every worker has window space, his own tools, and workbench, and hence does not come into contact with his co-workers. Thus quarrels are prevented.</p>
<p>The desire of the owners constantly to improve their merchandise, as well as the demands of customers, make it apparent that only the best and most skillful workers can be employed. Since a larger number of such qualified artisans are available in Chicago than in any other city, the owners decided to manufacture here also the various items for their Cincinnati and <pb facs="5418474_6_1383.jpg" n="5"/>St. Louis branches.</p>
<p>After the reader has read our account of this unique factory, he will naturally wish to know something about the present owners of the establishment. We shall touch upon this subject briefly.</p>
<p>J. M. Brunswick founded the factory in Cincinnati, in 1845; shortly thereafter he established a branch here which enjoyed a steady growth until the great fire, October 9, 1871. When Mr. Brunswick was elected to the legislature of his home state, Ohio, he withdrew from business activity and dedicated himself entirely to his official duties.</p>
<p>At this time, shortly after Chicago's great fire, a partnership was formed with Julius Balke who owned a billiard factory in Cinnnati. Balke's factory was founded in Cincinnati in 1851 and enjoyed a great reputation. The great <pb facs="5418474_6_1384.jpg" n="6"/>demand for billiard tables induced Mr. Balke to open a branch in St. Louis in 1854. Later 1864, he opened an additional establishment in Chicago.</p>
<p>Mr. Balke has many friends among the Germans here. He is at present in Chicago and has been spending the last few weeks directing installations at the new factory. His experience and technical knowledte are used to practical advantage at the new plant; he receives zealous assistance from his younger partner, Moses Besinger (son-in-law of J. M. Brunswick). Messrs. Leo Schmidt and Anton Troescher are also members of the firm.</p>
<p>We hope that this short description is sufficient. We desire, however, to emphasize one fact: The Company's business is huge; its products are used throughout the United States, South America, Canada, India, etc., and the name of the corporation is known wherever billiards are played.</p>
<p>We extend our best wishes to this deserving enterprise and hope that it will be successful.</p>
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