'HERE is a growing interest among decorators in the use of mouldings to bring out the salient architectural features of a room, and more particularly to balance the relation between large wall surfaces and sides which are more or less interrupted by window and door openings.

The fundamental reason for decorated things is the structure. There should be absolute harmony in the architectural features of a room before it is decorated, or the result will be disappointing, and the further futile efforts by its occupants to satisfy their instinctive craving for things beautiful by the addition of pictures, mantel ornaments and ornate bric-a-brac will but tend to aggravate the fundamental defect of the unbalanced proportion of the room which still remains.

Of the essential elements of decorative art, first in importance is form, next color, and lastly ornament or decorative design. No embellishment of rich coloring or intricate pattern of design can transform a crudely modeled vase of ill proportion into a work of art, for it lacks the abstract basis essential to structural proportion and harmony. Or taking the outside of a house as another illustration, though otherwise well proportioned as to height and width, if the entrance door is in the middle, and two or more windows on one side of the doorway, with nothing but a blank wall or windows of a disproportionate size on the other side, no contrivance of jigsawed embellishment on porch and gable can supply the thing lacking-harmony of proportion.

Now to return to the room to be decorated, I wish to emphasize that form, proportion and balance of parts are of first consideration before proceeding with the decoration. If in its bare aspect the room does not of itself present a satisfying and pleasing effect of architectural unity, this fault should be corrected, else the result may be but an attempt at ornamental show, unrestful and disappointing. Now the word unrestful as applied to interior decoration suggests the thought that we are all more or less subject to nature's laws, and the law of gravitation affects us with an un

easy feeling of something wrong if things are out of proportion and are not properly supported. The Greeks through centuries of evolution produced an architecture which has remained throughout the ages a perfect type of art. It is said of Greek architecture that everything may be reduced to definite proportions of measurement, not only as to the proportion of the building itself, but the convex or concave surfaces of mouldings bear their proper relation to the plain members, and these to the whole.

In modern residences much of the structural beauty is lost through the prevalent fashion of plastering walls and ceilings flat. What can be more interesting to see than an unplastered house. The perpendicular studding surmounted by ample beam as support to the roof or second floor joists are evidence of the enduring stability of the structure. There is an aesthetic enjoyment in the contemplation of the orderly panel effect brought out by structural timbers placed at regular intervals, and dividing the expanse of walls into equal units. Akin to this feeling, though in a larger and more completely satisfying sense, the interior of a Gothic church is restful and beautiful. In either illustration it is the actual appearance of adequate structural support that satisfies the mind. The plasterer's art has, however, obliterated the beauty of the structural anatomy of modern dwellings, and it remains for the decorator to restore in a measure, through the judicious use of strips and mouldings, the necessary appearance of support and balance to the ceilings. It is not enough to know that underneath the surface of paper and plaster is the supporting timber. mind demands the visual suggestion of actual strength. Furthermore, it is necessary to harmonize unequal surfaces of wall by the introduction of panel mouldings spaced properly with reference to the door and window openings. Nothing can be in worse taste than paper bands in imitation of such mouldings. Nothing which imitates or counterfeits should have any place in decorative art, or art of any kind. They belong with cast-iron imitations of wrought iron balustrades which Ruskin so strongly

The

denounced, and with imitation of marble and the modern embossed wood in imitation of a hand-carved treatment. If we cannot afford the genuine, let us at least preserve our self-respect and do without.

Let

Now to return again to our room. us determine first the proper size of cornice moulding. If the walls are high, this may extend down from five to eight inches or more on the side-wall, and about one-half this width on the ceiling. If the height of the room is out of proportion to its size, the apparent height may be lowered by running a horizontal strip entirely around the room at the same height as the top of the doors. If unfortunately the tops of the doors and windows are of one height, the trim itself may be used for the purpose. In rooms of moderate height this horizontal strip should be unnecessary, as the effect of its use is to apparently expand the dimensions of the room by lowering the ceiling. The side walls may now be laid off into panels, bearing in mind that the object of this paneling is to balance the architectural structure of the room. This can be accomplished in an infinite variety of ways.

HONOR TO PAINT MAN.

The city of Grand Rapids, no longer administered under the old system of aldermen, but on a business basis by business men, recently went to the Alabastine Company's organization in Grand Rapids for their new Public Welfare Director. Mr. Fred H. Locke who has been connected with the Alabastine Company for some 18 years and whose position has been that of general sales manager, was selected unanimously for this very important public office.

Mr. D. I. Pinney, formerly manager of the eastern office of the Alabastine Company has been appointed to succeed Mr. Locke.

BRIDGEPORT WOOD FINISHING CO.,

SELLS BUSINESS.

At a special meeting of the stockholders of The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company, held in the office at the plant in New Milford, Connecticut, Tuesday, November 27th, it was voted to accept a proposition of E. I. DuPont de Nemours Company, Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware, whereby the du Pont interests are to purchase the paint and wood finishing business of The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company as of December 1st, 1917.

The corporate body of The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company will remain the same as heretofore, but it is planned to change the name of the company to the Lithowhite Silex Company, which will be

more descriptive of the business which the company will have remaining.

This move means putting back of the well-known Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company brand of products the very best of facilities and resources in the country, and it is understood that these brands will be pushed more vigorously than ever before.

The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company will still retain its valuable waterpower and plant at Still River, Connecticut. and it is planned that part of the plant will be operated by the Lithowhite Silex Company and the other part by the du Pont Company as the Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company works.

The entry of the du Pont interests into the American paint fields through their purchase some time ago of Harrison Bros. & Co., of Philadelphia, and now The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company's paint business is being watched with considerable interest. Their facilities for the manufacture of many chemical and raw materials, coupled with their well-known efficient organization will place the Bridgeport Wood Finishing Co.'s brand of products before the public in a larger way than ever before.

The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company was incorporated in 1876 and has manufactured a line of paint and wood finishing products as well as Silex for over forty (40) years.

A REMARKABLE BOOK.

A man's mode of expressing himself, his method of self-utterance, is generally an indication of his mental character. An old and respected company, successful in its line of manufactures over half a century, has generally revealed its character by the style and spirit of the advertising it has habitually put out.

"Rare Woods," just published by the Murphy Varnish Company, Newark and Chicago, is an extraordinary instance of a house giving expression to lofty ideals presented in the highest form of the printer's art.

This beautifully illustrated book is primarily offered to architects, but every lover of the arts of print and illustration, will eagerly seek a copy.

It contains colored panels reproducing rare woods from many parts of the world. Its cover design is a masterpiece, its text beyond criticism. Its size, 8 x 11, makes it convenient for filing. Finally, it offers nothing for sale. The inspiration for its publication is the appreciation of the House of Murphy for wood finishes with artistic stains and fine varnishes.

THE "LITTLE BLUE FLAG."

Is the house organ of the Lowe Brothers Company of Dayton, Ohio. It is published "when there is something to say." It seems to assist its representatives to a better knowledge of the Company's products and how to use them in the best and most economical manner. As these products are sold largely through dealers in cities and towns, the contents of the periodical help them and their salesmen to answer the specific inquiries of painters and householders in order that these may secure the information they most need.

"Every business man should be a teacher" is the key to the purpose behind the "Little Blue Flag," and every store owner, clerk, salesman and tradesman who wants to improve is a business man--that is the "Little Blue Flag" idea. Therefore its contents are for the information of the sellers and users of paint and varnish, and from time to time these contents are adapted to all its classes of readers.

The changes in materials used in building and the newer forms of finish make it important that every qualified painter and finisher have access to the latest and best information. The publishers of the "Little Blue Flag," who are also manufacturers of well-known brands of paint, varnish, stain and enamel, have built their business upon the idea that quality of product and quality of workmanship go together, and that it is the manufacturer's duty to give all the information possible. Incidentally they have practiced the same idea with those who make these products until their people are enthusiastic in their endeavor to give the best quality.

DUPONTS REPRESENTED AT CHEMICAL SHOW.

At the recent Chemical Show held in New York, Booths No. 88 and No. 90 attracted quite a lot of attention. These booths contained the display of the DuPont Chemical Co., and Harrisons Inc., and the Chemical Company showed many of its chemicals and mixtures SO vastly necessary to the present age, a few of which are:

Amyl Oostate Refined Fusel Oil, Ethyl Acestate (Star Solvent), Iso Amyl Aoetate C. P., Iso Omyl Alcohol C. P., Sodium Aoetate, Commercial and C. P., Wood Alcohol, Soluble Cotton, Solvent Thinners, Special Pyroxylin Solutions, Ether, U. S. P. 1910 and Anesthesia, Collodion,-U. S. P. and U. S. P. Flexible, Parledion (Concentrated Collodion), Lacquers Py-ra-lin Enamels, Leather Solutions, Leather Renovators,

Auto Painting

is Profitable

You

OU can make much more money this fall and winter painting automobiles, trucks and wagons than you can painting houses. Many house painters are doing it. There are no idle weeks without paydays.

Any good painter can quickly learn this work and only enough capital is required to buy a few tools and materials. You can get more jobs than you can possibly handle at from $35.00 to $150.00 and there is mighty little competition.

Tools, materials and methods needed to do fine work after a little practice are fully described and illustrated in the new book Automobile Painting, by F. N. Vanderwalker. Every important fact fact and little detail about the work is covered specifically in simple language. It is substantially bound in cloth with heavy covors. Size 1⁄2 x 72, 209 Pages, 36 Illustrations. Price $1.50, Postpaid. Sent C. O. D. for part payment of 25c. Money refunded if book is not satisfactory.

THE TEXT BOOK CO. 12129 Eggleston Ave., Chicago, Ill.

Bronzing Liquids and Powders, Gas Mantle Dips, Waterproof Cements, Pontcklene, Coal Tar and Benzol Products, Napthalene, Pitches, Pontar (Road Material), Carpo Paint, Pegamoid Aluminum Paint.

Harrisons Inc., has on display a full line of the famous Harrison Paint, including the much used Town and Country paint. The Chemical end of the exhibit was in charge of J. J. Moosmann and R. L. Vilas while J. S. Tilden and M. A. Sullivan were in charge of the Harrison's, Inc., exhibits.

AT THE FRONT.

Three war flags have been unfurled at the headquarters offices of The SherwinWilliams Co., Cleveland, Ohio. These flags bear stars representing 348 S.-W. employees in all parts of the world who are defending the colors of the Allies. The American flag has 131 stars, the British flag 125 and the Canadian flag 92. Sufficient space has been reserved on the American flag for 119 more S.-W. employees' stars, for 58 more on the Canadian flag and 50 more on the British flag. The SherwinWilliams Co., is believed to be the first American business concern to unfurl three war service flags representing employees of three lands fighting against the Kaiser.

Local Union No. 602, of Waycross, Ga., has secured an increase of 10 cents per hour, making the present scale 50 cents per hour. The contractors have unanimuosly signed the agreement.

Cleveland glaziers make new agreement.

L. U. 181 (glaziers) and the glass houses of Cleveland have entered into a new agreement to run until January 1, 1920. The agreement provides for a scale of 55 cents an hour from January 1st to July 1st, 1918; 60 cents an hour from July 1st, 1918, to January 1st, 1919, and 65 cents an hour from January 1st, 1919, to January 1st, 1920.

$5.00 per day.

The employers of San Diego, Cal., have agreed to the new wage scale of $5.00 per day presented by L. U. 333. The new wage went into effect December 1st.

San Jose to the front.

The new scale of Local Union No. 507, of San Jose, Cal., went into effect on November 19th. It provides for a wage of $6.00 per day. The local union agreed to finish all work taken before a certain date at the scale in effect when notification of the increase was given.

Hardwood finishers score.

The employers of Boston, Mass., have conceded the demands of L. U. 1074 for 45 cents per hour and a forty-eight (48) hour week. The agreement runs to November 1st, 1918.

A good fight won.

Thomas S. Crane & Son, the largest firm at Atlantic City, N. J., after being unfair since April 1st, 1909, has signed an agreement with L. U. 277. This leaves only one firm unfair in the city of the famous board walk. Organizer W. J. Gallagher negotiated the agreement.

A live youngster.

Local Union No. 852, of Nebraska City, Nebr., is one of the liveliest of the smaller locals in the Brotherhood. Although not a year old, it has secured the applications of every painter and paperhanger in its jurisdiction; it has obtained a raise of pay and a reduction in the hours of labor; every shop in town is a union shop.

The local union has the distinction of bringing the 1918 Convention of the Nebraska State Federation of Labor to Nebraska City. In this the delegate from the local union had the co-operation of the Business Men's Association of his city.

Boise, Idaho.

By an oversight L. U. No. 477 was omitted from the list of locals securing increases during the year, published in the November journal. The local gained an increase of $1.00 per day in its wages which went into effect on April 1st, 1917, the present wage being $5.00 per day of eight hours.

SHIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY.

In this great and stirring age we find practically all the nations of the world at war. A great many people are asking, "Why This War?" Certainly there must be some cause for this terrible conflict. I have heard the blame placed anywhere from Woolworth's underpaid store girls to Wall Street bankers, from Satan to the Almighty. Why anyone should blame the Almighty is more than I can understand, but it is a common occurrence to hear people of supposed intelligence say, "I think God is punishing the people of the earth for their wickedness." Such statements as these are a sin against the Almighty's goodness.

But disagreeing with such views you must have a reason, and mine is-and I believe according to Christian teaching-that the Almighty made man in His own image and likeness, that is endowed him with rea son and understanding, thereby placing him above the fowls of the air and the beasts of