[Trade Journal]
Publication: The Commoner and Glassworker
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
vol. 25, no. 27, p. 1,4, col. 4,
IN THE OLD COLLEGE TOWN.
NEWS FROM MANY GLASS PLANTS.
The Situation at Washington, Pa., as Found by Our Traveling Representative — Regenerative System Installed at the Duncan-Miller Co.'s Works — Many Novelties Produced by the Perfection Glass Co. — All Places Filled at the Pittsburg Window Glass Co.'s Plant — Instructive Talk on the Regenerative Furnace System — What's Doing in Many Smoky City Factories.
FLINT, WINDOW AND BOTTLE NEWS.
By S. K McCarthy.
Duncan-Miller Glass Co., Washington, are keeping up their usual pace in turning out a fine grade of imitation cut tableware. This enterprising company changed their furnace to the regenerative system last year and although they experienced some trouble at first with pots breaking, they now seem to have overcome that handicap and are getting very good results and melted three and one-half rounds last week. They have an abundance of natural gas but do not use so much of it since adding the checkerwork and using hot air on the furnace.
The regenerative system is coming rapidly in use on covered pot furnaces and its economic value will be more thoroughly appreciated when it is better understood and managers, or furnacemen, know how to properly regulate its intense heat for rapid melting, and to bring the glass around in quick-time without serious injury to the pots or furnace.
A prominent general superintendent in one of the large glass concerns in a conversation with the writer had the following to say concerning regenerative furnaces and the use of producer gas: "Within 18 months the glass trade will be revolutionized and managers will have to learn over again, especially in the handling of producer gas. The regenerative furnace is the furnace of the future and we can never return to firing the furnace direct with coal when natural gas peters out."
Whether the flint glass trade will be revolutionized in the short period mentioned, or not, it is easily evident that factory managers must soon familiarize themselves with the workings of the regenerative system, for they will then have to deal with practically two new forces in melting glass. The generating of heat units from coal into crude gas and the correct control of hot air in inn king a good combustion, suitable for the quick melting of glass without injury to pots or furnace. The lack of knowledge of the value of heated air, as well as its destructive effects when not used properly, is one of the present great stumbling blocks with which managers have to contend.
Andrew Duncan is the young superintendent of the Duncan-Miller factory, who is rapidly familiarizing himself with the company's interests. J. B. Miller is the day manager, while Wm. McLaughlin looks after affairs on the night turn.
The Perfection Glass Mfg. Co., Washington, Pa., have a new fruit jar that is expected to outclass all others owing to its having a glass cap and no metal being used; only a rubber band to help seal the glass screw cap. Manager Chas. N. Edmunds devised a new form of mold for pressing the caps, so that it can be produced almost as rapidly as a cap without the screw thread. A ratchet arrangement is attached to the mold for withdrawing the screw as soon as the cap is pressed. A patent has been applied for and the device may also be used on an insulator mold or for making any glass article requiring a thread.
A shaker salt with a glass top and glass salt stirrer is another unique novelty requiring a specially designed mold. An all-glass separated decanter with screw and requiring no metal fitting, and also a pressed round holophane globe are a few of the other new things lately devised by H. W. Taudte, foreman of the mold shop, and Manager Edmunds, all of which should prove winners. The company propose erecting a continuous tank this summer at which several shops will be employed, producing the new glass top jar for which some excellent orders have been secured, and Secretary B. F. Roberts says there is a market for all they can turn out. The pot furnace and a small continuous tank are at present being operated.
At the Pittsburg Window Glass Co.'s plant, Washington, Pa., every place is filled and a fine grade of glass is being produced. The only drawback was a scarcity of snappers on some of the shops. This disadvantage has been overcome, however, as a number of snappers were on the way last week to accept positions there. Many of the blowers and gatherers, who never before worked in such a cool commodious and well ventilated factory, were greatly pleased with their new quarters and have nothing but praise for the fine plant in which they are now employed. While the workmen are from all sections of the trade, the majority hail from Indiana.
Manager J. F. Slicker is very well pleased with the way matters are now moving, and Secretary and Treasurer D. J. Hagan, says orders are very satisfactory and that prices are stiffening up even with the cut in which had been anticipated in the previous prices.
The D. O. Cunningham Glass Co.'s window glass tank, Pittsburg, was started Monday of last week. The same company's bottle factory is being operated to the full capacity of the continuous tanks with 12 shops on the day shift and seven on at night. The management and workers are both well pleased with the run made thus far.
There is not much prospect of the Cunningham & Co., Ltd., Pittsburg, bottle factory being operated before next season. The work of cleaning up, after the fire, which destroyed the plant some time ago, was only begun last week.
The T. Campbell Glass Co., who attempted to operate on bottles and recently failed at Clarion, Pa., are contemplating starting again next season. The company formerly operated a window factory at Clarion, but converted it into a bottle works and purchased all the equipments of the American Glass Works, at Becks Run Pa,. from Fred C. Long.
Mr. Long does not appear to be in a hurry to embark in the bottle manufacturing business again, especially since he sold his second factory site to the P., V. &. C. R. R. for a handsome sum. He was reported some time ago as going to build at Wilkinsburg, Pa., near Pittsburg, but the matter appears to be still in abeyance.
The two covered pot furnaces of the J. T. and A. Hamilton Co., of Pittsburg, are operating to their full capacity, turning out the high grade of flint glassware for which this company is noted. Jas. Graham is still at the head of the clerical department, a position he has held with credit for many years.
