[Newspaper]
Publication: The Evening Times
Muncie, IN, United States
vol. 30, no. 29, p. 1, col. 5
SHY OF WORKMEN
ABOUT A HALF FORCE IN
WINDOW PLANTS.
Report of Workingmen’s Library
Will Show Large Number of
Readers During October.
THE BOY STRIKE AT HEMINGRAY’S
MUNCIE IRON WORKERS LEAVE
FOR TERRE HAUTE.
Attempt Being Made to Organize
Employes at Meeks' Handle Factory
— Other Labor News.
But few more than half the shops in the local factories of the American Window Glass company are in operation, owing to a scarcity of working-men. What is true of Muncie is equally true of all other factories in the Indiana gas belt. Men are scheduled to arrive from other places to take positions but when all are accounted for it is said that not more than two-thirds of the shops in the Muncie factories will be in operation.
The reason assigned for this shortage is that the men deserted the trust plants for the co-operative factories. They find more work with a consequent increase in earnings. A great many are stockholders in the co-operative concerns. The situation is said to be a discouraging one for the American. Not that there is any great demand for glass just now, but there is little prospect of a betterment in conditions later when the ware may be needed. The scare which was recently made in regard to a further postponement of the start by the American caused a great many of their men to desert.