John C. Gray vacation with relatives in Pasadena, California - Ralph Hemingray attends Wedding at Springfield, Ohio

THE MAGIC CITY

OF FAIR INDIANA.

Muncie Gives a Death Blow to Hopes

That the Making of Glassware by

Machinery is Not a Growing, Present

Day Fact - Some Astounding

Figures On Ball Bros.' Machine

Made Output - Will Soon Be Still

Greater - Hemingray, Lippincott,

Pendleton, and Ingalls Notes.

PRODUCER GAS INVADING INDIANA.

By H. W. Gauding.

MUNCIE, IND., Dec. 11. - Many persons in the glass trades are under the impression that the making of glass ware by machinery is going backwards - that such a small amount of success has attended the efforts of the manufacturers who have entered this field that it is practically all over but the shouting; in fact we have been repeatedly told by workers in different sections of the country that the impracticability of glassmaking machinery had been demonstrated beyond a doubt and this statement would be supplemented by saying that this firm and that firm had discontinued making machine made goods and had gone back to the old method, supplanting their machines with blowers and working as they worked in the good old days. Many times these stories included those famous pioneers in the new field - the giants of the Indiana glass trade - Ball Bros., of this city, and it is the purpose of this article to show just what dependence can be placed in all such visionary tales by giving a fair and impartial account of the results of our investigation.

Before going any further, however, we want to say that the wish is usually farther to the thought, as far as the parties who circulated these pipe dreams are concerned. When a man don't want to believe a thing it's pretty hard to convince him, but even the chronic doubter must acknowledge that the making of glassware by machinery has passed far beyond the experimental stage when his mind grasps the astounding figures we submit with reference to the production at Ball Bros.

We know that many of the workers are loath to believe that any machines can be successfully operated or that they can produce marketable goods, and that there is a natural prejudice in the minds of many regarding the introduction of the "iron horse" in the trade they have labored so long and faithfully to acquire, yet the figures we give herewith prove beyond question that machinery is here, and more, that it is here to stay.

The writer has always taken the stand that the truth must and will prevail, and thinks that the members in the trade should always be kept informed when any innovations in the shape of machinery is made so that they would be prepared to take hold of it at once and demonstrate its entire practibility or its total failure. If a machine cannot be operated successfully by a practical glassworker, then there is no fear that an outsider who knows nothing concerning the nature of glass can make it a success, and the workers have secured an advantage in testing the invention for they know just "where they are at."

As a sample of the "hot air" stories we have heard lately we need only say that we have been informed by several different parties that Ball Bros. had laid off the machine operators on two tanks ad had replaced them with blowers. This story was given us in all seriousness and found many believers and it is just such misrepresentation of facts, by parties who ought to inform themselves before spreading stories of this nature broadcast, which does the trade as a whole the most harm.

Now to give the reader an idea of the true state of affairs at Ball Bros.' mammoth plant we need only say that every one of the six big continuous tanks are operated on machine-made good exclusively. Even the white liner department has been revolutionized, and the Bingham machine takes the place of hand "pumping" of the pressers, In this department the services of the carry-in and turn-out boy have been dispensed with - the machine does it all, and judging from what we saw and from the comments of the workers - does it successfully.

The total daily output of the fruit jars and wide mouth bottles is something enormous, approximating 280,000. Add to this the number of pieces produced per day by the machines in the white liner department and you have a set of figures almost unbelievable - in round number between 590,000 and 610,000. This is no top notch estimate, either, as these figures will be corroborated by both management and men.

Not content with this gigantic production we are informed by General Manager Edw. B. Ball that materials for two more nine-ring continuous tanks have already been ordered and work will be commenced as soon as possible. These tanks will be used for the manufacture of machine-made bottles and fruit jars - one on each kind of ware - and will increase the capacity on these good over one-third.

This, it is hardly necessary to say, does not indicate that the machines have been a failure - rather to the contrary. But we leave the reader to draw his own conclusions.

A costly system of producers for the manufacture of water gas is being put up to guard against a possible failure of the natural gas supply. This water gas will be used in connection with the fuel now in use and insures the permanency of the firm's present location - news which will be gladly welcomed by all citizens of the Magic City.

Fred E. Jewett, who has represented Ball Bros. in a most satisfactory manner at several conferences, is the hustling day manager of factory No. 1. Samuel Thornburg looks after the night shift as usual and Messrs. Scott and Dean have their old positions at the head of factory No. 2. Ball Bros. certainly appreciate the value of young blood, as is evidenced by the fact that nearly all the heads of the different departments are young men.

When questioned concerning the outlook Mr. Ball said he anticipated a good season. The dissolving of the sales agency has left them untrammeled and they will again be able to dispose of their own products.

Business has been fully up to the mark at Hemingray's, and while there is a slackening up at present, due to the approach of the holidays, a run better than the average is anticipated by the firm. The new insulator tank which is being operated with coal gas has been a glittering success and the other tanks will be changed to the producer system at once should the supply of gas become inadequate for the firm's needs.

Demand for off-hand goods (caster place) has been very strong all season and lamps have also been holding up well. The shops have been added since our last visit, the total force now employed being forty shops, twelve on the furnace and the balance in the insulator department.

The gas supply here has been drawn from several sources, but at that it is hardly satisfactory, and the firm will in all probability put in a complete producer system in the very near future.

Taken all in all the present year has been ahead of 1900 as far as the volume of business is concerned, and all indications point to an increased business in 1902. Superintendent J. C. Gray, who spent a very pleasant vacation with relatives in Pasadena, Cal., was in full charge during our visit to the works, Mr. Ralph Hemingray being at Springfield, O., where he attended the wedding of a relative.

Matters are progressing swimmingly at the Charles Boldt Glass Works; 16 shops are now employed. Most of the local force has been transferred to the new location at Cincinnati, O., where two continuous tanks are being operated.

The only part of the local plant which is now being worked is the old Nelson tank. A considerable amount of large ware is being made this season. Four shops are working on the smaller sizes. The tank is in good shape and was remodeled during the summer so that little time would be lost in case it would be found necessary to change from gas to coal.

About the usual amount of stock is being carried. T. J. Holden, who has been connected with the Boldt company for many years, now attends to the management of the factory and has been meeting with success. Guy Dickason has charge of the packing department and Tim Linehan is at the head of the pipe hospital.

While we feel flattered to find that gas belt newspapers think enough of our reports to run them in their columns, common courtesy would suggest that due credit be given. We don't like to mention any particular transgressor but when a paper of the standing of the Muncie Star uses column after column of our reports without giving a line of credit then we have a faint suspicion that we have a kick coming. We don't care if you appropriate a paragraph here and there, neighbor, but we'll have to balk when it comes to lifting a column or two, word for word and line for line, and running it as your own. You're alright, but don't forget to toe the chalk line occasionally, gentlemen. Give credit where credit is due.

One hundred and twenty-six off hand and ten paste mold chimney shops are on the roster at the Lippincott works, Alexandria, Ind., and the men are a unit in saying this is absolutely the best season they have ever experienced. General Manager J. F. Aldridge says they have thus far had no trouble on account of the gas supply and the outlook for the future is truly encouraging. A fairly heavy stock is being carried and shipments have been fully up to the average.

Electric motors will be installed shortly and the entire plant will be run with electricity as the motive power. A new engine room has been put up since our previous visit and a new 40 horse power gas engine installed. Two new lehrs have also been added this season.

We understand there will be but a brief holiday stop here, perhaps but one day, and ten days at an outside figure. To give an idea as to the time being made here this fire a prominent local worker is authority for the statement that many of the shops have made eleven turns per week since the beginning of October. No flint house could do better than that. John Sechrist and T. E. Hartley have charge of the factory and Ernest Frey is the efficient glassmaker. Secretary T. M. Judson is in New York on a business trip in the interest of the firm.

The American Window Works, Pendleton, Ind., is operating with 12 out of 20 places filled and the quality of glass made justifies the assertion that the management should find little trouble in filling the vacant places in a short time. J. P. Strom, who was formerly employed in the cutting department at the Big Four, Anderson, is the genial young manager here. He informed the writer that the gas supply had been ample all season and the men are authority for the statement that they had no broken pots up to the present time. We understand that the glass here ran from 55 to 65 per cent "A" last week, a showing that any manager can be proud of.

Both furnaces were given a complete overhauling during the summer stop and many needed repairs in the factory department were made. Mr. Strom says he expects to fill two more places shortly, but will still have room for a number of good shops. Competent parties are requested to apply to the management.

At the Pendleton Window Works (Little Wonder) the usual good run is made, and when this is said it covers everything, for the "Little Wonder" is all that the name implies. Places are filled, in fact there has been but one place vacant since the beginning of this fire, and that only lasted a few days, and was due to sickness.

To show how easy it is to get men here it is only necessary to state that a shop quit last week and the place was going as usual this week. Quite an unusual occurrence in these days of scarcity of blowers and gatherers. Supt. A. B. Taylor says they are carrying no stock, all the glass being shipped as fast as made. The men are perhaps doing better this year than at any time in the history of the plant. W. J. Koenninger is still at the head of the office department.

The Wagner Glass Co. at Ingalls, Ind., are operating their furnace and one continuous tank, the management stating the fuel supply is insufficient to operate both tanks. A new gas well is being drilled and is expected "in" shortly.

The usual lines are being made and two press shops are being employed making glass balls. Secretary C. H. Miller says a comparatively light stock is being carried. Jos. F. Merkel still looks after matters in this factory and John F. Wagner, who formerly had charge at Frankton, Ind., is holding the position of night manager.

Pendleton preceptory of the Denny organization is officered as follows: Chas. F. Hardman, chief preceptor; Wm. Cunningham, master workman; Chas. W. Noble, past master workman; Bert Noble, secretary; Jos. Sifferon, statistician; Emory Gebring and F. Oleston, guards; W. Palmer, worthy foreman.

Old friends we met in the white liner department at Ball Bros. were Ex-President Frank Lafferty, Richard Burns, Jerry Sullivan, Marshal Quins, J. R. McLain, Dan Donnelly, and Samuel Fleming. The last named was in charge of a popular flint headquarters at Atlantic City last summer and made many friends among the delegates.

Frank Lyons, one of Ball Bros. popular young gatherers, was married to Miss Ora Jennings of Winchester, Ind., last week and is busily receiving heartiest congratulations from his host of friends. An old time serenade with all the old time trimmings was taken part in by his fellow workers and Frank made it pleasant for everybody.

Henry Ealton, the Alton, Ill. veteran, is holding a place at Ball's factory.

The Magic City Fishing club, which has a membership of thirty glassworkers, lately elected the following officers: Thos. Digman, president; Wm. Black, vice-president; P. Concannon, secretary; Aug. Ernest, treasurer, and J. W. Kirby, clerk. Harry Norman, Hemingray's, is captain. Two cozy club rooms have been fitted up and the members now have a very pleasant rendezvous.

The Mecca Camping club of Alexandria is also an organization which is prospering. Two large halls have been hired for the annual Christmas ball and a record breaking is assured. H. Judge is president and C. W. Schroth holds the position of secretary.

T. J. Conway, the former Martin's Ferry business man, is still holding a good place in the insulator department at Hemingray's.

Jess O'Neill of Hemingray's mold shop who suffered a paralytic stroke several weeks ago has improved considerably and all his friends hope to see him back at his bench in a short time.

Muncie glassworkers say they have the king bee crack shots in their ranks and the Industry Gun club contains the cream of all the top notchers. W. H. McFadden, of Philadelphia is president; M. Menard, vice-president; Sam Thornburg, secretary; and W. J. Getz, treasurer. Mitch Menard says most of the members are now able to distinguish the difference between the muzzle and stock of a gun. Joking aside, however, some very good marksmen are being developed.