Ralph Hemingray gives his opinion on prices

PITTSBURG PAPER MAN

Visits Muncie Industries and Speaks Very

Kindly of Us.

Notes Improvements and Hears Prosperity

Talk Wherever He Goes —

Interesting Glass News.

A SPECIAL correspondent for the Commoner and Glass Worker, the leading paper in the world published in the in­terest of the glass industry at Pittsburg, in its number yesterday devotes two columns to this city.

In part the writer says:

"Were you ever in Muncie?" What glassworker has not been asked the question during the past two 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 Bro’s. colossal plant or the Muncie Flint Glass works, whose capacity has been almost doubled in the past 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 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 production 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 bolt [sic] 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 the 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 center 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. The jar blowers, as far its 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, as most are of a mechanical nature, while a part may be ascribed to the men’s unfamiliarity with the mode of operation. The there are many who give the matter little if any of their attention, prefering [sic] preferring to wait until a thorough test has been made before expressing an opinion as to the ultimate success or failure of the invention.

Matters are looking very bright at the Muncie Flint Glaas works, and the busy and progressive manager, Mr. Isaac Humphrey, stated that business was good and future outlook excel­lent. Even the the atmosphere at this factory seems impregnated with the cheerful air of prosperity and the de­meanor of the employes 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 management also inform us that they expect to add another day tank of 4 rings within the next three weeks. 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 our 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.

"At Hemingray’s Glass Works they are making a good run, especially dur­ing the last two months."

MR. HEMINGRAY'S OPINION.

"Business is reported fair and orders plentiful, but upon the subject of prices Mr. Ralph Hemingray expressed his opinion in 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 manufacture 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."