John King (2)
From ‘Captains of Industry’ by William S. Murphy. Published 1901.
BAILIE JOHN KING, OF MESSRS. DAVID KING & SONS, IRONFOUNDERS, POSSILPARK, GLASGOW.
ON the northern edge of Glasgow city stands a long range of red brick buildings like the advance guard of the industrial army that in its all-conquering march spreads over field after field, converting the open land into streets and squares and hives of labour, enlarging the city's wide domain. This range of buildings is the front of Messrs. David King & Sons' iron foundry, planted there to secure free scope for extension and development. The site is well-chosen; near at hand the railway runs from the north-west, further on the canal winds its devious way into the heart of the city, while the residential quarters of Possilpark, Craighall, and Garscube enable workers to live within easy distance of their place of labour. To the casual observer, all iron foundries are the same, but in reality each foundry has an individuality of its own, differing from all others to such a degree as to warrant special description. The reasons for this are obvious. First, there is as yet no science of iron-founding; second, the character of each foundry is largely determined by its history and development; and, lastly, the special product of each governs the form and process of its operations.
The foundry of Messrs. King spreads over about eight acres of ground, and to judge from the crowded state of the shops, further extensions are necessary. In a wide, open yard stand the two chief furnaces, and stacked round them the pig iron of various kinds, and heaps of charcoal, the raw material of the industry. By means of an elevator the pig iron and charcoal are hoisted to the open mouths of the furnaces, and fed into them by hand — first a bed of charcoal, next a layer of pigs, then a layer of charcoal, and again a mass of pigs, while all the time the fierce blast from the steam-driven blower is consuming the charcoal, which melts the iron, and sends it flowing out a fiery stream into the iron ladles, constantly filling and being replaced like cans at a milk barrel. The celerity and aptness of the process are wonderful. Up there mere lumps of crusted iron and black charcoal; down at the foot of the furnace intense heat and flowing red metal. The ladle, into which the liquid iron flows are deep bells, fitted on wheels, and as soon as each ladle fills it is run away into the moulding shops, there to pour its contents into the prepared moulds.
These moulding shops arc spacious halls, the largest measuring 200 yards by 60, and all over the extensive floors lie the moulds of various shapes, sizes, and kinds. Here arc ranged in row upon row moulds for pipes two inches in diameter, four inches, or six inches; there, in flat, little, black squares, are moulded the beautiful shapes of ventilators used in Indian palaces, while, under surfaces equally unpromising, the red metal solidifies into gracious cupolas, pillars, and gates of artistic design. Seen open, even the commonest moulds are clearly cut and finely made, with keen edges and smooth surfaces. The variety of the work is bewildering. Side by side with common rain-gutters or pipe channels for electric conductors lie moulds for the gracious pedestals of electric poles, with their vase-like bases and fluted columns, elaborate scroll work gates and railings, panels for costly tombs, or screens for splendid verandahs.
In one division the various parts of the well-known "Pioneer" kitchen ranges are cast; in another, baths for domestic or hospital use emerge from their dark beds ready for the enameller. Iron moulding, however, is but a stage in the ironfounder's work. The products pass from the moulder's hand to the finisher, fitter, smith, enameller or tester, as the case may be.
The blacksmiths' shop is a spacious place equipped with open hearths, steam-hammers, and other modern smithy appliances. Near at hand is the mechanics' shop with the usual complement of lath and drills and planes.
At right angles with the front building stands the pattern-making shop. Here the secret of the moulds is revealed. Under the hands of dexterous workmen, wooden or stucco models grow from shapeless blocks into shapely and beautiful forms.
The front buildings are occupied with stores, pattern shops, draughtsmen's rooms, counting-house and offices — a fine suite of apartments, well-lighted and commodious, commanding - the works. The works, processes, and products, are interesting: but the workers are still more so. Amid the whirr of machinery, the flying sparks of molten metal, the dust and grime and heat, groups and gangs of men charge and draw the furnaces, ladle the liquid iron into the moulds, hurl and hammer and haul, black and grimy, but cheerful and full of energy, a battalion of the mighty army of labour, whose conquests add wealth to the world without the shedding of blood.
The firm of David King & Sons was first constituted in 1873. Mr. David King was manager of Milton Foundry, and, buying the old Saxon Foundry, started business on his own account in Keppochhill Road. He took his son, Mr. John King, the present senior partner of the firm, along with him into the business, and prospered as a maker of ornamental castings. The business was small at first, employing only about twenty-five or thirty men. Year by year the Messrs. King enlarged their ventures and extended their works, till about the year 1887 it appeared necessary to build new premises suited to the requirements of their trade. For this purpose land was feued at Possilpark, then outside the city boundary, and the first section of the present works was erected thereon. Since that time addition after addition has been built, till now the works extend over eight acres of ground.
As we have hinted, those extensions have been altogether compelled by the growth of the firm's trade. India, China, and Japan in the east, Australia, New Zealand, and Cape Colony in the south, Canada and Central America in the west, call for and obtain the products of Messrs. David King & Sons. Nearer home the sanitary contractor and electrical engineer, the house builder and householder employ the Possilpark furnaces to supply their needs, and 10,000 tons of iron annually come in in the shape of pigs to go out again as pipes, railings, panels, gates, electric poles, switch boxes, baths, and grates.
Alterations have gradually overtaken the constitution of the firm. The senior partner and founder died, and one by one the brothers have come into the business to take part in the management of it. In 1898 there were four active partners — Bailie John King, and Messrs. David, Donald, and Robert King — each with a particular department of his own. The head and chief of the whole concern, however, is Bailie King, who shared with his father the burden of the early struggles of the firm. Born in Glasgow, he was educated first at St. George's Public School, and latterly at the Highland Society's School in Montrose Street. Being a clever scholar, it was originally intended to make him a teacher, and he had already been engaged as a pupil teacher when his father's need for assistance in the new business called him from the school to the office of the foundry. The abilities Mr. John King displayed at school were not lost in his industrial duties, but rather developed by practical work. He was not wholly absorbed in business, however. His active mind and ardent sympathies led him to identify himself with the Young Christian Association and with church and mission work. While but a youth he became secretary and treasurer of the Canal Boatman's Mission, of which he is still a director, and taught an adults' Bible-class in the Bethany Hall. Nor has Bailie King's maturer manhood lessened enthusiasm for Christian work. Session clerk of Free st Paul's, a member of Glasgow Free Presbytery, and teaching every Sunday an adults' Bible-class, with an average attendances of 385 members, his enthusiasm runs in no narrow channel, but leads him to help whatever causes seem likely to benefit his fellows.
He is a Rechabite, a Forester, a Free Gardener, a Freemason, and takes a share in the temperance propaganda carried on within the city. When the city boundaries were extended, and Possilpark district became part of Glasgow, Mr. King was elected a member of the Town Council to represent what is now called Cowlairs Ward, in which his popularity is sure. After serving six years as a Councillor, Mr. King was elected a Magistrate in 1897, and in process of succession became Senior Magistrate of Glasgow in 1901.
What positions are yet open to hint he will probably attain. Speculation on the future of such a man, however, Might lead to what may for the moment seem extravagant forecasts. He has been since 1893 a member of Maryhill School Board, is a director of the Magdalene Institution, and connects himself willingly with societies of philanthropic character. Contrary to the magisterial tradition, Bailie King has no idea of his own importance. His freedom from personal vanity is almost amusing, his sole idea being that he may possibly be entitled to respect because he has done and is doing good work. Amid his many activities Bailie King yet keeps a firm grip of his business, and administers, directs, and controls its operations with an accuracy and energy that inspires a wholesome respect. In this he is ably seconded by his brothers and a certain sturdy manager of the old school. There is much material for reflection in the works of Messrs. David King & Sons, with their stalwart labourers, intelligent young foremen, able managers, and workers of every grade, all co-operating together, and perhaps, most of all, in the kindly, anxious able man who strives by sympathy and personal sacrifice to harmonise the conflicting interests over which his destiny has made him president.