Flint and Lime Glass Manufacturer's Association; Hemingray could not attend

THE FLINT AND LIME GLASS MANUFACTURER'S MEETING.

The first general meeting at Pittsburgh of the recently effected combination of the two flint and lime glass manufacturer's associations, comprising every firm in the country making tableware and chimney's, save one, was held at the Monongahela House on Wednesday, January 5. A similar meeting, to ratify and complete the consolidation previously formed, was held at New York in November, but it was not largely attended by the Western men, as the work to be done was already known to and sanctioned by them. The meeting on Wednesday was largely attended by manufacturers from all parts of the country, in fact more so than any other of the some kind ever held.

For over a year several of the Eastern manufacturers have been members of the Western association, retaining at the same time membership in their own local organization. A few months ago all of them decided to join the Western association and so the amalgamation of the two branches was effected.

The principle objects of the present meeting were: To change the name of the association so that it might be more conformable with the new conditions; to elect officers, this was always done at the January meetings and to revise the constitution.

The name was changed from "The Western Flint and Lime Glass Protective Association" to "The Association of American Flint and Lime Glass Manufacturers."

The election of officers resulted as follows: President, D. C. Ripley, of Ripley & Co., Pittsburgh; vice-presidents, James Gillinder, of Gillinder & Sons, Philadelphia, and James H. McCloy, of the Excelsior Flint Glass Co., Pittsburgh; treasurer, Thos. Evans, of Thos. Evans & Co., Pittsburgh; additional managers, Andrew H. Bryce, of Bryce Bros., and Paul Zimmerman of Dithridge & Co., both of Pittsburgh. All of the above gentlemen constitute the executive board. It will be noticed that the office of secretary was abolished, and the number of vice-presidents increased from one to two. Mr. Jos. G. Walter was also re-elected actuary of the association.

The changes in the constitution were few and slight, the scope and aims of the association remaining exactly as heretofore. No such reports concerning the condition and prospects of the trade as were published in the daily papers were received or read at all at the meeting and nothing whatever of general interest to the trade, or affecting it in any way, was done. The principle interest attaching to the meeting and subsequent banquet lay in the fact that they showed a gratifying sentiment of unanimity and accord among those engaged in the important industry represented, which promises well for the future progress and prosperity of the business.

After the meeting, which, though called for 11 o'clock, A. M., did not convene until 11:30, and closed at 2 o'clock, P. M., was over, carriages were procured and the visitors from outside places taken around to view the workings of natural gas in the furnaces and lears. Those who had not seen its operation before were much impressed with the gas and freely admitted that they now believed there was such a thing, they having heretofore regarded it as a myth. They also visited an extensive wire works on the Southside and some other points of industrial interest.

The banquet given at the Monongahela House in the evening was not exactly one of the associations', but was tendered to the visiting members by the Pittsburgh manufacturers. The reception committee consisted of Messrs. Geo. W. Blair, D. C. Ripley and J .F. Kirk. The ample dining room of this old and famous hotel was beautifully decorated and brilliantly lighted, the floral arrangements on the tables, which were arranged in horse shoe form, being especially beautiful and effective. At 9 o'clock about 125 guests sat down to a banquet which was worthy of the prestige of the house and was heartily enjoyed by all. Letters of regret and apology for unavoidable absence were read by Mr. Jos. G. Walter from the following firms: Gill & Muray, Philadelphia; Corning Glass Works, Corning, New York; Crown Flint Glass Co., Ravenna, Ohio; Hemingray Glass Co., Covington, Ky.; E de la Chapelle, Ottawa, Ill.; F. Thill, rooklyn, N. Y.; J. N. Huwer, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Brox & Buckley, Port Jervis, N. J.; Francis Storm, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Columbia Glass Co., Findlay, Ohio, and Hibbler & Rausch, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. James B. Lyon, of the O'Hara Glass Co., also wrote an excellent letter, congratulating the members of the auspicious nature of their reunion and regretting that he could not be with them personally. This communication was received with much respect and attention, as coming from one of the oldest and most highly esteemed members of the association. Though Mr. Lyon was absent, however, his firm was duly represented both at the meeting and the banquet.

Mr. G. W. Blair, chairman of the Reception Committee, made the following welcoming address: "In 1875 the Western Flint and Lime Glass Association was formed of a membership of 12 or 15. Through many vicissitudes it has grown in strength until to day, when we have met and formed the Association of American Flint and Lime Glass Manufacturers with a membership of 55. To-night we meet around this social board, not to baptize a new-born child, but to crown the full-grown man with kindly feelings, good wishes, with warm hearts and strong wills, realizing that in union there is strength, in fraternity there is confidence, in harmony there is success. Gentlemen, members of the East and West, we of Pittsburgh extend to you our most hearty cordial greeting and say, let us eat, drink and be happy." Mr. Blair's felicitous remarks were loudly applauded.

Mr. D. C. Ripley, whose address was exceedingly well received, not only because of its subject matter, but the excellent manner of its delivery, said: "Gentlemen — As we are assembled we represent one of the largest industries of the country, one that we should be proud of, and one that no man can call himself master of, as the constant demand for new shapes and colors keeps him on the eager search for something better. We have kept pace with the demand and in the last five years have made more improvements than in the twenty previous. Articles in pressed ware that almost rival cut goods in appearance, blown ware in various shapes and colors, have been produced, which a few years ago were considered impossible. The manufacture of cut glass goods, wares that are the jewels of any man's table, has also made great improvement. The chimney manufacturers seem to have

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