[Newspaper]
Publication: The Long Beach Daily Telegram
Long Beach, CA, United States
vol. 14, no. 76, p. 1,11, col. 1-6,4
MAMMOTH GLASS FACTORY
GETS SITE ON INNER HARBOR
'Negotiations Conducted for Months Closed at Last
— Plant Represents $45,000 Initial Investment
— Will be in Operation Feb 1
Long Beach is to have a second big industry, in the establishment on the inner harbor of a big glass factory. And what is the most pleasing of all news, it is a certainty.
In years past citizens of Long Beach have been periodically elated and startled by announcements of the coming of some great factory enterprise, but when it got down to “tacks” there was some financial hitch or a pipe dream exploded, and that was the last heard of it.
But in this case, all details have been completed, contracts signed and papers escrowed, tangible proof of the actuality and reliability of the new industry.
After many weeks in an effort to adjust differences so that the industry could be secured for this city, final papers between the Chamber of Commerce and the California Glass Insulator company have been signed and placed in escrow with the Long Beach Savings Bank and Trust Co., the company will erect a factory on the Seabright Harbor tract at the corner of Hayes and Anaheim, and will be in full operation before February 1.
The factory was secured solely through the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and its secretary who surmounted seemingly impossible difficulties and in order to induce the factory to locate secured land from the Palos Verdes company.
According to the terms of the agreement the Chamber of Commerce will provide a spur track from the Pacific Electric to the factory site, has secured the donation of three and one-half acres from the Palos Verdes company. The company has bought two one half acres and has secured an option on four acres more.
Negotiations for the location of the glass factory here were begun four months ago and have been pushed as hard as possible ever since. Some differences was experienced in securing the spur track by the commercial organization, the glass company asking that a spur track be built from the Southern Pacific. After many conferences the company finally agreed to a proposition of having the track from either the Pacific Electric or the S. P. with the result that the Pacific Electric will build the track and will have a force of men at work on this within a few weeks. The Chamber of Commerce will defray the expense of the construction of the track and efforts are being made now for the celebration of the driving of the first spike which will be nickel plated.
Plans and specifications of the plant to be built have been prepared and bids for the work are now being received by the company.
The general manager of the company, Robert P. Frist. is now in the East completing contracts for machinery which will be ready for shipment here about December 1.
The initial investment of the plant will be $45,000.00.
The company's plant is to be built in units, taking in the pressed ware, hollow ware and plate glass branches.
The first unit will consist of complete pressed ware department for the manufacture of insulators, prisms, sidewalk lights, electric light shades and other pressed ware/ This department will employ about 60 men at the start.
The second unit will take in the blowing or hollow were department, for the making jars, and vials, bottles, carboys, of all descriptions. This department will employ about 150 men.
Unit number 3, will consist of an up to date window plate department for the exclusive manufacture of reinforced wire glass, such as is now so extensively used in building construction.
A few years ago, this new structure glass was practically unknown; today, it is playing a large part in the construction of every building.
It is said that the new process by which this company will manufacture reinforced plate glass will reduce the cost 33 per cent.
On account of climatic conditions, particularly advantageous to the glass company, Long Beach should bid fair to be the glass manufacturing center of the Pacific Coast. The minimum cost of fuel and the unlimited supply of high grade silica sand, together with the assurance of the perfect climatic conditions, glass of a very high grade and maximum strength can be manufactured here on an equal basis with the East. Eastern factories invariably close from July to September first inclusive. The heat of the furnace is very great, and this combined with the heat and humidity of the summer makes the closing of the glass factories imperative. Because of this condition in the East, about one fourth of the working year is lost. In the even climate of Long Beach, it is possible to work the entire year.
The sand deposit is at the Bixby ranch at Horseshoe Bend in Orange county. There in an unlimited supply of very high grade silica sand. The value of this sand deposit is only recently known. The glass companies operating along the Western coast are compelled to import sand from Belgium or ship across the country from Indiana.
The California Glass Insulator Co. have a liberal charter, permitting the manufacture of all lines of glassware and glass working machinery. The management of the company has been intrusted to well known business men of Los Angeles who command the confidence of the entire community. The president, Mr. Jules Kauffman, is a prominent grain merchant. The vice-president is E. H. Fosdick, a well known glass manufacturer of Los Angeles. The treasurer, Mr. John Morris, proprietor and Manager of the New Method Laundry.
The general manager is Mr. Robert P Frist, who is an expert glass man of broad experience covering a period of twenty years of actual experience in all branches of the glass and glass machinery industry, who has been identified with the most prominent glass concerns in the United States, and in the actual building of glass furnaces and improved machinery for every branch of the glass business. Mr. Frist is largely interested in the company, will make his permanent residence in Long Beach, and will devote his entire time to the business.
Associated with Mr. Frist is Mr. Stanley S. Stonaker, secretary of the company and a resident of Long Beach. Mr. Stonaker's commercial experience has been in the glass business.
In addition to the above officers who are directors, are John C. Orth, proprietor of the Berlin Dye Works of Los Angeles, Arthur C. Munn, a native of California, a retired newspaper man and now a capitalist in Los Angeles, and Mr. William Schade, who is a retired contractor and builder, resident of Los Angeles, and Mr. William Schade, who is a retired contractor and builder, resident of Los Angeles.
The agreement finally entered into is one of the few wherein all parties emerged pleased with the result of the negotiations and while endeavoring to secure a suitable site, directors of the California Glass Insulator company are especially pleased with the indefatiguable work of the Chamber of Commerce and gave the directors of that organization a pleasant surprise that yesterday when it sent them the following letter which is self explanatory.
Los Angeles. Cal., Sept. 15th., 1911.
Mr. W. L. Camp, Secretary, Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Dear Sir: At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the California Glass Insulator Company, duly and regularly called and held at its place of business, on the 12th day of September, 1911, at which meeting a quorum of said board were present, the following resolution was duly adopted by the unanimous vote of the directors present, to-wit:
Whereas, Mr. W. L. Camp, Secretary of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, who has worked with never-fagging zeal, together with the co-operation of Mr. P. E. Hatch and C. J. Curtis. of the Manufacturers Committee, Messrs. Bixby, C. H. Windham, of the Dominguez Land Co., B. H. Paul, and others, have diligently rendered service, with no less credit to the Chamber of Commerce than assistance to this company in securing a suitable site with the view of locating the factory of this company in the City of Long Beach, California, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Board of Directors of this company express their high appreciation to the members of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce for the intelligent labors extended on the part of their Secretary, Mr. W. L. Camp, in co-operation with this company in securing a suitable site and spur track for the location of its factory in the city of Long Beach, California.
Yours very truly,
CALIFORNIA GLASS INSULATOR COMPANY,
By Stanley S. Stonaker,
Secretary,