A New Generation Aboard

Mr. Pratt, from his first connections with the company until his death in
December, 1900, was a determining force.

Associated with him about 1869 and in charge of a New York store was Edward P. Stoughton, the present president of the company.

To his constant application to the selling problems of the company and to the fostering of export opportunities, is due much of the company's prominence in its field.

In 1876, George E. Rogers went with the company as secretary, successively attaining to the positions of treasurer, vice-president and general manager.

Through him the Langdon Miter Box Co. became affiliated and was absorbed in 1906. Mr. Rogers has always possessed a rare understanding of his fellowmen that has enabled him to furnish inspiration to his subordinates, and impress his individuality upon the company and its products.

A large proportion of the company’s new tools and improvements have been brought out at his suggestion. His mastery of detail and resourcefulness in inaugurating ideas has built up the present organization of the Millers Falls Co. He has held before all connected with the company ideals of betterment in every direction that have been controlling factors.

In spite of the constantly changing conditions which make it all the more remarkable, the company has met with success from the start, and has not only retained its vigor but in the past few years has thoroughly reorganized its plant, erecting many new buildings and reconstructing old ones until total floor space is now upwards of six acres. Thoroughly up-to-date machinery and methods have been installed.

The company has always been prolific with original designs and very many new kinds of tools have been the result of its pioneering. Until brought out by the Millers Falls Co. no one had conceived of a hand drill.

Now the Millers Falls Co. makes twenty eight distinct styles. Breast drills were originally crude affairs without chucks, but the Millers Falls Co. at once added a chuck.

The Langdon Miter Box is known around the world. Before the Millers Falls Co. brought it out, there were no commercial miter boxes in existence. So on through a long list, in part comprising the modern hand hack saw frame, bench drills, pocket tool holders, extension bit holders, auger handles, angular bit stocks, and drill bit braces, jointer gauges, etc. etc., the Millers Falls Co. have exercised original thought and been the father to a great number of tools now considered indispensable in the mechanic’s kit.

Among the most interesting is the power back saw machine. At first, this was a cumbersome affair made of wood but embodying the essential features used in practically all power hack saw machines made since. A little later this was made of iron.

This machine appeared about the time of the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893 and a machine was the central feature of the Millers Falls Co.’s exhibit at the Exposition.

While now it is a commonplace to talk of sawing metal, at that time the public had had very little education in this respect, and it was with much interest that continual crowds, although jaded with sightseeing, stood before this machine, sawing and sawing away on a steel bar, without further attention from the operator than to insert new material, and then stopping short when the cut was completed.

This single exhibit served to disseminate this machine all over the world. One shop alone in England straightway equipped itself with one hundred of them.