6 
well. One experiences a pleasant feeling in going about 
the building, as everything is so neat and clean. 
That this Life-Saving Station is an important one 
may be judged from the number of crafts to which aid 
is rendered. The number for 1912, was, if I am not 
mistaken, 127; i. e. on the average of one about every 
three days throughout the year This may sound im- 
probable, but, when we consider that this’ number includes 
all service rendered to motor-boats as well as to large 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE and Reminder 
schooners, it is more plausible. It is true, nevertheless, 
no matter how incredulous it seems. One would never 
imagine that the Life-Saving Service was so necessary in 
this age of wonderful ship-building. Facts prove other- 
wise. 
Before I conclude, I wish to express my gratitude io 
my guide, a native of Newburyport, who entertained me 
with much interesting information about his native town 
and Gloucester while he showed me about. 
A MODEL FISH PLANT 
Many Tourists to North Shore Visit Frank E. Davis Fish Company Plant 
HEN only a few days since the writer visited the 
plant of the Frank E. Davis company at Glou- 
cester, he realized fully the significance of the phrase 
“great oaks from little acorns grow,” for he had been 
told of the modest beginning of this now national busi- 
ness—a real institution to many people in inland cities 
and towns. It was 
twenty-eight years ago 
that Frank FE. Davis 
sent a few pails of salt 
mackerel to some ore oe ag ae 
friends in Philadelphia, 
which was the begin- 
ning of this extensive 
business From that day 
to this his constant aim 
has been to produce sea 
foods and_ delicacies 
which should be known 
for their excellence. 
As one approaches 
the building, he is first 
impressed with its mod- 
Che ey 
watch the orders being assembled and packed in the cor- 
rugated paper boxes, in which they are sent to the homes 
of discriminating families in all parts of the country. 
The factories for producing the canned products 
which the Frank E. Davis company supplies are located 
in whatever part of this or foreign countries the article 
is produced at its best. — 
The mackerel room 
where these tender fish 
are so carefully prepar- 
ed and packed for the 
home table is a revela- 
tion in cleanliness and 
modern sanitation The 
tiled walls, the glass 
topped tables and the 
concrete floors, were all 
designed so that the 
utmost cleanliness might 
prevail. To see these 
thick, fat, juicy mack- 
erel taken from the bar- 
rels in which they come 
ernity. --lt(? seems te from the fishermen, 
loom up among the carefully washed, the 
quaint structures ~°for heads and tails removed 
which Gloucester is and packed in wax- 
noted. . The substantial DAVIS FISH CO. PLANT, GLOUCESTER lined pails makes one’s 
concrete walls and the mouth water for a taste 
architectural simplicity of this ideal breakfast 
give an air of unmistakable dignity to the whole. Bright dish. Before leaving the visitor looks through the offices 
geraniums in attractive green flower boxes at each win- 
dow add a touch of refinement and beauty, suggesting: 
care and attention to detail. 
As one passes through the massive oak doors, one 
finds himself in a lobby or hall which opens directly into 
the main office. Being conducted first to the top floor of 
the building, one notices passing upward over the steel 
staircase that the building is as nearly fireproof as can be 
constructed. 
The codfish room is an interesting place, especially 
to dwellers away from the sea-shore. Here the salt 
codfish are prepared—the skin is deftly removed and 
each individual bone is extracted, leaving the clear, thick, 
steak like pieces of tender and appetizing fish. On this 
floor, also, the firm carries a large part of its stock of 
canned products, both foreign and domestic.  Solidly 
constructed cases, in which the foreign products are 
packed, suggests the long journey from their native land. 
Passing down to the second floor, is the labelling 
room, where attractive labels bearing the trade-mark 
“Davis Delicacies” are affixed to each package by nimble- 
fingered young ladies. Here also, is the shipping room 
for the products in glass or tin, and it is interesting to 
and sees how carefully have been planned the details of 
taking care of the correspondence and book-keeping of 
this extensive business. Steel-filing cabinets, the most 
modern computing machines, together with the latest of- 
fice appliances of every description, show that everything 
is carried on in a businesslike way. As the products of 
the Davis company are sold exclusively to the consumer 
through their perfected mail order system, a large office 
force is required to take care of the immense amount of 
detail necessitated. 
In the reception room at the close of a trip through 
the Davis plant, Frank EF. Davis, founder of the business, 
relates to the visitor many interesting anecdotes of the 
personal side of the business. The visitor’s register shows 
that many people from all parts of the country have visit- 
ed this model plant. 
One can spend an interesting half hour in looking 
through this building, which is one of the show places 
of Gloucester, and as visitors are cordially welcomed, the 
opportunity should be embraced. 
The Davis Co. building looms up conspicuously in 
contrast with the quaint wharves of Gloucester and 
adds a touch of modernity to the surroundings. 
