Ralph Gray Hemingray

WERE YOU EVER IN MUNCIE ?

"Belmont" Was This Week and Tells

About It.

IMPROVEMENT ON ALL SIDES.

The Situation at Albany, Redkey, and

Other Points.

MUNCIE, IND., Nov. 22. - "Where you ever in Muncie ?" What glassworker has not been asked the question during the past few years ? Muncie, the hustling, bustling, magic city of the gas belt whose manufactories are numbered by the score, among which the glass interests occupy a most prominent position. What person connected with the trade directly or indirectly who has not heard of Ball Bros'. colossal plant or the Muncie Flint Glass Works, whose capacity had been almost doubled in the last eighteen months? Then the well-known firm of Hemingray's have done much to help keep the wheel of progress in motion since their departure from the land of the Blue Grass and fair women. The above, together with the Port Glass Works and the window houses of C. H. Over and the Maring-Hart Co., make a glass product that can hardly be equaled by any city in the world and fully accounts for the query which inevitably assails the traveler's ears when in conversation with anyone who has toured the gas belt.

Muncie is certainly a most progressive town, and the workers who have positions in the different factories in the city seem to take to the place about as quickly as he proverbial duck takes to water. But we are digressing. Everyone in the trade has heard of Muncie and all are familiar with the fact that it is a great glass manufacturing centre so we will proceed to give the situation as we find it in the different plants.

THOSE MACHINES AT BALL'S.

At Ball Bros. we understand a larger force is on at present than last year. All the fruit jar blowers are working in full and the big plant is a busy hive of industry. Six shops were working on the machines last week. The reports concerning the results obtained are very contradictory, although it is conceded by everyone that the firm is getting much better results on pints than on quart jars. We were told that several of the pressers had turned out very satisfactory work on the smaller lines, but whether this is the rule every day we are not prepared to say. The jar blowers, as far as we know, are taking things very coolly and do not seem to be worrying much over the introduction of the "iron horse." Many of the workers think that the present defects in the working of the machines will be overcome in the course of time, while a part may be ascribed to the men's unfamiliarity with the mode of operation. Then there are many who give the matter little if any of their attention, preferring to wait until a thorough test has made before expressing an opinion as to the ultimate success or failure of the invention. Later on, about the middle of next month probably, we shall call on Ball Bros., and will then be in a position to give a clearer statement of the condition of affairs.

Matters are looking very bright at the Muncie Flint Glass Works, and the busy and progressive manager, Mr. Isaac Humphrey, stated that business was good and the future outlook excellent. Thirty-one shops are working, principally on large sizes, and steady work is the order of things. Even the atmosphere at this factory seems impregnated with the cheerful air of prosperity and the demeanor of the employees goes far toward convincing the casual visitor that everything is lovely as far as they are concerned.

A CALL FOR "TWISTERS."

A great number of improvements have been made during the past year and the firm is now erecting a fine two-story brick building, 90x115 feet, which will be used as a box shop and which they expect to have in operation within the next two weeks. The capacity of the plant is now 3 furnaces, 35 pots; 1 6-ring continuous tank and 2 2-ring day tanks. The management also informed us that they expect to add another day tank of 4 rings within the next three weeks, and they could use a few good "twister" blowers at once. The stop during the holidays will be brief at this plant and possibly no time will be lost at all. The indications are good for a continued run, the firm thus far having failed to catch up with their orders.

While making the rounds we happened to drop into the "skeleton" department where we were surprised to see the excellent packages put up by this company. The workmanship is good and it is evident that an artistic result has been aimed at which will surely bring good returns.

The office department is still under the careful eye of the handsome and always obliging young secretary, J. Carl O'Hara, who numbers his friends by his acquaintances. Prest. Charles Boldt was at Columbus at the meeting of manufacturers last week, presumably to help bolster up prices on bottles a little.

At Hemingray's Glass Works they are making a good run, especially during the last two months. Ten shops are employed in the flint department and eleven or twelve on insulators.

MR. HEMINGRAY'S OPINION.

Business is reported fair and orders plentiful, but upon the subject of prices Mr. Hemingray expressed his opinion in no uncertain tone.

"Prices did you say? Well, to be frank with you, Mr. Gauding, it would require a very powerful magnifying glass to discover our profits on a majority of our lines. The position taken by the men and the strong competition which has been developing in certain quarters is certainly an incentive to bring out inventions in the manufacturing of glass. The position now occupied by union manufacturers is resulting in the forcing of trade into the very channels it should be kept away from and prices are at such a low figure that it isn't a question of profits any more on a number of lines. We have all the orders we can handle coming in, but we can't meet the price on certain articles."

Here Mr. Hemingray enumerated some of the goods on which such low figures were being quoted, and in reply to another question from us stated that a remedy was not yet in sight although he admitted that conditions were better than one year ago. He also stated that the factory would stop but a short time during the holidays.

At this writing we have not visited the Port Glass Works and the situation at the window houses is well known to the trade without our mentioning it. We understand the Port Glass Works is operating in full but cannot say authoritatively.

The Woodbury Glass Co., at Parker, Ind., have added two day tanks of three rings each and will begin operations with them this week. They were being heated preparatory to filling in last week while we were at the plant. The tank blocks and iron work was furnished by the Dixon-Woods Co., of Pittsburg. Messrs. Canfield and Leggett reported a good business. The addition of the two tanks increases the capacity of the plant from 30 to 40 per cent.

Gaffer John Butler, the veteran castor place workman at Hemingray's, has been in the employ of that firm for the past 33 years and turns out his day's work about as easily as many of his younger competitors. Hemingray's factory without the gentlemanly "Gaffer" holding the big place would be like a meeting of Germans at a Saengerfest without their bloced beverage. Long life to you, Gaffer

In our letter from Bellaire two weeks ago we stated that the tank built at Rodefer's was the work of Nichols & Matthews, when we should have said Jacobs Bros., of Wellsburg, W. Va., the well-known tank builders. We were misinformed and are pleased to make the correction. It will not occur again, Clarence.

J. J. Allen, who suffered from facial paralysis, and was off work for a long time in consequence, is now pressing and gaffering at the Muncie Flint, and his many friends will be glad to note his return to the trade.

George Marlier and J. Rupple, of Pittsburg, and John Staab, formerly of Hyde Park, Pa., are the late arrivals at the Muncie Flint.

Al Meachem [sic] Meacham, formerly of Hammondsville, Pa.,; Ross Fleming, of Tiffin, and George Lewellyn, are among the new faces at the Hemingray factory.

CORRESPONDENTS, ATTENTION.

We earnestly request our correspondents to be a little more prompt in giving us correspondence. Come, boys, wake up all along the line and make 'er hum with glass trade news. Remember there are plenty of workers who would be glad to hear from you. The firm is endeavoring to give you the greatest glass paper on earth and you can help keep the wheel of progress in motion by sending us communications a little more regularly. Now, understand this means you, so act accordingly. This is a glassworkers paper and depends in a measure on you for success, so don't forget to let the boys know you are still on the map. Now will you be good and please get a faster gait on. There's room for you. Come on.

While in Muncie we met our friend from the old Ohio Valley, Ed Ulrich, and had the pleasure of taking a drive around the city behind his flyer. Ed says he expects to make the trip overland to the Valley next summer if he can get a suitable match for his speeder, and is looking forward to a very enjoyable trip. We wonder if he will stop to see his friends at the B. B. company when he strikes Martin's Ferry. "Abr I dink so."

Jimmie Cavanaugh, who joined the Married Men's Protective Association last month, has settled down to housekeeping and the boys say he's as happy as a clam at high tide. Jimmie is one of the Muncie Flint's most popular blowers and we wish him and his fair bride unlimited happiness.

John Layburger, who is known to most of the workers in the trade, is still turning out a nice day's work as in "ye olden time" at the Muncie factory.

The smile that illumines the beaming countenance of the jolly guardian of the peace at Ball Bros., Victor Barnes, when he meets anyone from South Wheeling reminds one of the rosy break of morn, and an exchange of reminiscences is always in order on such occasions.

Fred Gass, Albert Todson,. And the former Bellaire boy, Ollie Verner, form a shop that seldom changes its personnel at the Muncie Flint Works.

Greely Ferguson, who will be remembered by many of the workers in Wheeling and the vicinity, is one of the blowers at the above plant.

Sam Hudson and his foghorn voice constitute an attraction that always holds us spell bound when we visit the bottle works. . . . [illegible text] . . . couldn't do a thing with that voice of his if he was given a heavy part in a sensational drama.

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