National Association of Manufacturer's to be held in Chicago; Muncie business men interviewed

ANNUAL CONVENTION

Of the National Association

of Manufacturers.

TO BE HELD IN CHICAGO

November 19 — Comments on the

Gas Belt — Muncie Men

Interviewed.

The annual convention of the National convention of the National Association of Manufacturers will be held in Chicago on November 19. The purpose of the association is to create a better feel­ing among the manufacturers of the United States and an advancement of their interests by an exchange of ideas and a closer acquaintance. Muncie was represented at the last meeting, which was held in Cincinnati, by James Boyce.

The New York Press in speaking of the coming convention to be held in Chicago has this to say of the Indiana gas belt:

"The wonderful gas belt of Indiana is the largest in the world. It extends for a hundred miles northeast from the corner of the county in which Indianapolis is up to a point near Fort Wayne. The width in the direction is almost as great and embraces about 6,000 square miles. The discovery of natural gas was made in the fall of 1886, but it was 1888 before skepticism was banished and con­viction dawned that the flow of gas was practically inexhaustible. Then manu­facturers flocked to the 'belt' and it is estimated that over 250 important estab­lishments were constructed within the meagre limits, all of which use gas for fuel. These today add not lees than $75,000,000 to the annual output of the State. It is very probable that this unprecedented increase in manufactures in Indiana has, since the figures for the census of 1890 were compiled, advanced its relative position from eleventh to eighth in the roster of manufacturing states. This would raise Indiana in the column above Connecticut, Wisconsin and Michigan, following Missouri which is seventh. Be this as it may, the value of the discovery and use of natural gas in Indiana has had a wonderful stimulating effect upon all manufacturing in the State. The manufactories have an advantage over their competitors who burn coal of from $50 to $300 per day. This saving represents an annual profit of no mean amount to every concern in the gas belt. The advantages of this bounteous fuel are enormous over all other fuels, especially in the manufac­ture of glass, iron, steel, edge-tools and in gray and malleable iron productions. It is extremely economical. No fireman is needed for the engine. The heat is uniform, and the wear and tear upon machinery is very small. It is equally ready for use night or day is easily piped to any part of a factory, requir­es no cartage, no handling, and there is no failure of supply. A well can be sunk on every ten acres without affecting the supply of another well. The supply has continued for five years without any sign of decrease. Natural gas is, indeed, "king of fuels." There is no intelligent man who doubts but that the gas will hold out for many years to come. The secret of the great prosperity in the "Belt" is that fuel is a most important factor in manufacturing, and that here that heavy tax is almost eliminated."

INTERVIEW WITH MUNCIE MEN.

The press also contains the following interviews:

Mr. James Boyce of Muncie, interested in the Tappan shoe factory and other manufacturing works, as well as being the largest owner of improved city and farming properties in and about Muncie attended the Cincinnati convention last January, and will in due time organize a manufacturers' club in Muncie. Mr. Boyce says: "Muncie has had a most wonderful development in the last eight years. Since 1886 the population has increased from 3,000 to 25,000. We have today about 40 important manufactories the total capital of which is $5,000,000, and the total factory value of their an­nual output is upward of $12,000,000. Of course the discovery of natural gas and its utilization for fuel has brought about these great changes. While other lections have been idle or their factories run on short time, Muncie has continued on in her accustomed prosperous condition unaffected to any great extent by financial depression. I am one of the most ardent supporters of the National Association of Manufacturers, and believe it is destined to produce re­sults of enormous value to the manu­factures of the nation."

Thomas Hart of Maring & Hart, window glass and bottle manufacturers of Muncie, Ind., has this to say: "While the work of the National Assoiciation [sic] Association must necessarily benefit some industries more than others, yet all should give it their heartiest support. American manufacturers will have to look well after their markets at home and abroad or else England will take them, by fair or foul means. I heartily rejoice that that the work of the organization is progressing rapidly, and expect Muncie manufacturers will be present to numbers at the next convention."

All of the manufacturers of the Indiana gas belt are seeking export trade, all require the home market to the exclu­sion of foreign goods, all enthusiastically favor the National Association of Manu­facturers and many of them will attend the Chicago convention in November.