Saltaire was solely built for the workers Essays

Saltaire was solely built for the workers Essays Saltaire was solely built for the workers Essay Saltaire was solely built for the workers Essay Essay Topic: Religion I believe that the village Saltaire was not purposely built solely for they enjoyment of the workers. Even though there are some buildings at the site (saltaire) that were used for the enjoyment of the workers, Salt always got the most out of the workers. In this coursework I shall explain the points that make many peoples attitudes on Titus Salt as an entrepreneur and views that influence ideas on him being a philanthropist. It will also be explained why certain buildings were built in Saltaire. The designing and making of the mill, the building of the houses and Tituss constant search for new ideas all add a great deal of evidence that he was an entrepreneur. However there is a sufficient amount of ideas that prove otherwise e. g. The Park, dining hall, and the church. I will now explain each point in more detail. Titus Salt was a very rich man and he could have hired the very best architects in the country to design the mill in Saltaire. Although it would have made sense to do so, he hired local architects Henri Lockwood and William and Richard Mawson. They designed many plans for the mill however they were rejected. Eventually a i 100 000 plan was accepted by Titus Salt. Work commenced in 1851 and ended in 1853. Salt used local Yorkshire stone in his building of the mill and it was designed in an Italianate style. He based certain parts of the mill on Prince Alberts Osborn house. One very interesting feature of the mill is that it is shaped as a T. This may be to show anyone who viewed the mill that Titus had built it. This helps give an impression that he was an entrepreneur and cared about getting his name well known. Titus built the mill fireproof and had an air conditioning system fitted. This point indicates that Salt didnt want any damage to the mill, as it would cost money to repair. The air conditioning system was most likely fitted because it would ensure that workers were taking less breaks and could produce more goods. Titus made a lot of money from the mill and made him the largest employer in Bradford because of his popularity. Salt was constantly looking for new ideas. This aids us to form an impression that Titus Salt was a businessman that had his mind set on making more money. The point made is proved when Titus was walking on the south beach of Scarborough, staring at the seaweed. Titus finally concluded that seaweed Wont do. Titus made his first mistake when he purchased a large load of Donskoi wool. It was considered impossible to spin and when Titus attempted to sell the wool no one would purchase it. However he was still determined that he could spin the wool. He was so convinced that he would not fail that he rented Thompsons mill and he managed to prove everyone wrong. Titus had entered the spinning business. In 1836 Titus made another mistake that eventually made him a richer man. He saw 300 bales of Alpaca from Liverpool. He saw a great opportunity arising and purchased the Alpaca. Many close to Titus Salt tried to discourage him and make him go no further with his experiment. His father called it Nasty stuff, yet Titus who was successful with Donskoi wool once again managed to prove them all wrong. He was made an extremely rich man. Titus operated five mills in Bradford. The wearing of the wool was made fashionable when Queen Victoria began to wear Alpaca dresses. Titus Salt didnt stop there; he experimented with other wool from around the world. Salt had houses built for his workers. They were beneficially placed in Saltaire near the mill. This proved Tituss belief on getting the workers to the mill on time. Titus also figured out that there was another way to gain money here. He decided to make the workers pay rent so eventually he would get all the money paid on the houses back. Titus wanted to keep control over all of his workers. He came to a decision that he would arrange them according to standard in their jobs. He cleverly placed managers next to workers so he could sustain control. This indicates that Salt wanted his workers minds to stay focused on their work rather then their social lives outside work. It further shows Sir Titus Salts craze to make more money. Concentrating on small points and sections of the village and the workers helped do this. I will now comment on the key features that prove that Titus Salt cared for his workers and backs up, as evidence, that the statement that Saltaire was solely built for the workers. One day in 1871 the mill was unusually shut down early. The workers were told to assemble in the park that Titus had made. The making of the park shows that Salt cared for his workers by providing them with some open space. This improved the health and even the mental health of the workers. The park signals that Titus was a philanthropist rather then an entrepreneur, as he was gaining no more money with the park open instead Titus lost a considerable amount of money building the park. The park consisted of a boathouse, a river, a cricket and croquet ground, bowling greens, and alcoves. This clearly provides evidence that the park was solely built for the workers enjoyment. Next, I will comment on the dining hall, which Titus built. The hall was built completely for his staff. There they would have their meals made. Although food could be purchased, the workers were entitled to bring in their own food and use the facilities to cook. The using of the facilities was free of charge. This indicates that Titus Salt cared for his workers and desired the best for them and not caring for cost much. To cap it all off the diner charged half price broth and soup left over between 1. 0 pm and 2. 00 pm. This kind of attitude earned Salt a well treating boss image. As the opening of the park gave Salt a philanthropist image, the dining hall gave the same image out. The congregational church, now the United Reformed church was touted a palace built for God, when it was finally constructed in 1859. Lockwood and Mawson built the church in the Italian style, which Sir Titus liked. T he church cost i 16 000 and was considered as one of the best Italian style buildings in England. It is now listed as a grade one building. The entrance of the site contained six large Corinthian columns witch had a tower, which contained a bell that was sold in the war. Salts wife desired to have a family balcony built and Titus took up the request though he did not sit inside it. Instead he desired to sit amongst his workers. This signals Tituss equality with his workers. Titus could have sat in the balcony though he chose not to. This influenced ideas of Titus being a philanthropist, caring about the well being of his workers. In addition the workers didnt have to pay a thing to worship at he church. If Titus were an entrepreneur he would have seized the opportunity to make the workers pay to worship at the church. Instead he did not and made the worshipping in the church free to his workers. I will now comment on more complicated ideas that can be viewed from two separate angles to give two different views and attitudes on Titus Salt. As I have just explained that the dining hall was viewed as a philanthropists idea. This was because hot meals were made for the workers. They could also bring in their own food and use the facilities to prepare their own food. The use of Facilities was free of charge. Special offers were also made in the dining hall. Although there are many reasons behind the buildings of the dining hall from a view that proves Titus as a philanthropist there are also many reasons, which support the idea that he was an entrepreneur. With refreshing and nice hot meals better productivity would certainly take place. The workers would not get as ill or as hungry with the dining hall. So in the long run Titus would be able to pay himself all the money the dining hall cost with all the profit gained from the better productivity. The mill was supposedly to have been made for the workers to give them jobs. The mill attracted workers to work in better conditions. The mill ensured safety, as it was fireproof, machines were made safe by Salt and an air conditioning system was fitted in to ensure coolness throughout the mill. However all the safety measures guaranteed more work done by the workers and better productivity, as they were not scared to cause injuries to themselves. The air conditioning system made certain that less breaks were taken, as it was nice working conditions. Titus built tunnels to get workers to work, underground. These ensured that workers wouldnt have to walk far to work. This showed that Sir Titus Salt would go to extreme lengths to get his workers satisfaction. Though there are some strong points above the tunnel may have been made for business reasons. Building tunnels helped workers to get to work faster then usual so they could start work earlier. This showed how entrepreneur Titus was. I conclude that Titus Salt was not a philanthropist while making Saltaire. I think that Titus carefully considered every business deal possible. This is shown as he selected Saltaire as it had a railway and a canal. In order to become a philanthropist Titus Salt had to become an entrepreneur to gain all his money so he could make some buildings for his workers. I believe that Titus first made Saltaire for business reasons and maybe made some sights for his workers e. g. the park. Although this is my personal suggestion there is a sufficient amount of evidence to make Sir Titus Salt either an entrepreneur or a philanthropist.