Science, Industry and Business Library > B. Altman & Co.

N concluding this brief history of the house of B. Altman & Co. it is desired especially to emphasize the fact that every square foot of space added to the building, every costly device introduced in its equipment, has been carefully planned with a view to promoting the interests of the store's patrons and of confirming their faith in the store's reliability. It is not alone the impressive exterior of the building that commands attention, nor the convenience and charm of its well-arranged departments, as the visitor sees them. Of equal if not of more consequence is the perfect sanitation of those parts of the building which are unexplored by the visitor. Scientific lighting, heating, ventilation and cleanly surroundings in workrooms, offices, stock rooms, receiving rooms, packing and shipping rooms, are as vitally important to the store's patrons as to its employees; for these things indicate that the merchandise it handles is subject to the most wholesome conditions up to the moment of delivery into the purchaser's hand.

It has been, throughout, the earnest endeavor of B. Altman & Co. to provide in every possible way for the personal safeguarding of the patrons and employees of the Altman store. Non-inflammable material has been used in construction wherever practicable, and the entire building has been made to conform to the stringent regulations of the New York Fire Department.

The fire-preventing and fire-fighting equipments, which encompass the building on every hand, are among the most complete in existence, including the new automatic sprinkler and signal systems, the latter connecting with the city Fire Department as well as the private Fire Department in the building; a standpipe system having hose stations so arranged as to reach any part of the building; and a supervisory system which acts automatically in the event of difficulty arising in any part of the equipment.

For the final word: B. Altman & Co. will continue in the future, as in the past, to direct their unremitting efforts toward maintaining their long-established reputation for best-quality merchandise at reasonable prices, as well as for integrity, courtesy and efficiency of service.

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