Glass Industry, Muncie, Indiana - Hemingray Glass Company Plant and Employees

FROM INDIANA'S MAGIC CITY.

Approach of Colder Weather Relieves Small

Help Situation at Muncie — News

From Different Plants.

Muncie, Ind., Oct. 17. — The Magic City so far as the glass industry is concerned is again in full swing. Up to the present time all the factories suffered from a shortage of small help, but the cool weather has forced this class of help off the streets into the factories, and for the first time since starting all local houses are operating in full. Now that the period of sore hands has passed the men are settling down for a good season's production. Orders are plentiful and prospects for a full and prosperous season never looked brighter.

At Ball Bros., the automatic machines, recently installed at one of the flint tanks, are working very satisfactorily and are turning out a fine quality of ware. The production is increasing every day. It is the intention of this firm to install six more machines in the near future. Up to the present only pint and quart jars are being produced on the machines, but those who are in position to know say that half-gallon jars can and will shortly be made. The introduction of these machines has produced a feeling of unrest among the workers and many have accepted positions in other houses and in other branches of the trade.

For the first time this season Hemingray's have been able to operate their plant in full. Shortage of small help has been very keenly felt, but the cool weather has driven the boys into the factories and no further trouble along this line is anticipated.

At the Chas. Boldt factory both tanks are now in operation. On the large tank seven machines are being operated on milks and cherries and three bottle and one press shop are being worked on the small tank. Quite a number of changes have been made at this plant during the summer, a new floor being laid and a new and larger fan and wind pipe being installed. They also work boot-legs in the big tank, and the men now cut off their bit instead of working over a soft moiling as formerly. This new method has done away with the problem of iron in the bottles, which so much disturbed the men and firm last season. A visit to this plant will convince any fair-minded person that no finer quality of milks are produced by any house in the country. The production is daily increasing, with the losses growing less each day. The following new men are here this fire:

Andrew Hiley, Fred Williams, Ed. Ling, Jos. Watters, J. Langraft, Patrick Joyce, George Blattner, and John Furgison. The rest of the force is made up of last season's men, among whom are Executive Officers Tobin and Joyce.

William Holden, Chas. Swain, and John O'Neil, left Rau's Indianapolis plant and are back again at Boldt's making half-pints at the small tank, which sails under the name of "Maud."

Joseph Canning, of Ball Bros., left Saturday for Denver, Col., where he will make his future home. His many friends wish him the best of success.

W. P. Clarke, assistant secretary of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union, spent Saturday in this city. Billy was on Walnut street Saturday evening shaking hands with his many friends.

Wm. Dudley, Melville Demler, Harry Howard, and Frank Bickelhaupt left here to accept positions in the jar factory at Coffeyville, Kan. — John Nolan spent Sunday at Hartford City where he went to attend the wedding of his brother. — Bert Dudley, formerly of Boldt's, is working this season at Rau's Indianapolis factory. His is on a brandy shop. — Muncie.