[Newspaper]
Publication: The Muncie Evening Press
Muncie, IN, United States
vol. 4, no. 12, p. 6, col. 4-5
INDUSTRIES ARE
ALL PROSPEROUS
Practically All of Muncie
Factories Are at Work.
CAPACITY ENLARGED
In Many of the Workshops and the
Number of Men Employed Is
Larger Than for Years.
The American Lawnmower company, which recently increased the capacity of the local plant, is preparing to operate the entire plant steadily for an indefinite period. The company is comparatively a new one.
The Kitselman Wire Fence company is now operating the Boyceton plant full force, after a slight delay in some departments owing to the lack of material, and the indications are that the industry will be a busy place through the winter. The company has scarcely been able to fill its orders and an extra force of wire drawers has been put to work and many workmen will be engaged for night duty.
Last night, the puddling mill men at the American Rolling Mill company’s plant on Macedonia avenue, resumed work after several days' idleness owing to a scarcity of material. The company has been unable to fill a large number of orders, but since a large shipment of raw material has arrived, will operate the plant steadily. The plant has been improved in many ways recently, and the furnaces are now all in operation and a full force of workmen employed.
The big engine at the Midland steel works which broke down a few days ago, will be started tonight and the regular night crew of men will report for duty. The finishing and sheet mills in the northern part of the mill, which have been operating since the breakdown, would have been been compelled to shut down, had not the break been repaired by today.
The building of a roof over a portion of the yards at the Indiana Bridge works will be but partially completed this fall but by next spring it is expected that the entire yard will be under a huge shed, so the men may work at all times and during all kinds of weather. The company has a large amount of railway bridge work on hand and the plant is being operated night and day. 250 men being employed.
The Hickson bedstead factory in Westside continues to fill a large number of orders and it is believed that the new factory which is now being constructed near Pittsburg will not interfere with the business here, since the local plant will be used as a storage and ware house, as well as a finishing plant for much of the product which is turned out at the eastern factory. The company contemplates opening the plant by the first of the year and much of the product will be sent to the Muncie factory, front which western orders will be filled. There is a great amount of stock at the local plant, and it is the belief that the enterprise will continue to turn out bedsteads for at least a year.
The bolt and nut department at the Indiana rolling mill, continues to operate night and day and a full force of workmen is employed. It is the intention of the company to continue the manufacture of bolts and nuts in this city.
Although the product of the Muncie Glass company was considerably increased since the plant was enlarged, the company finds itself yet in a position that will not admit of the filling of all orders received. A specialty of fancy bottles of all sizes and almost every description is being made and this has proven an important adjunct to the regular line of trade. Many of the Muncie workmen who have been in Cincinnati at the No, 2 plant of the company for some time, are again at work at the local plant. Charles Boldt, president of the company, who has been here for some time, has returned to Cincinnati, and he reported before his departure that he scarcely expected to keep up with the orders that are coming in. "The demand for bottles is something out of the ordinary," declared Mr. Boldt.
The new machines which were recently installed at the additional plant at the Ball Brothers' "group" of factories, are now working in a very satisfactory' manner and the trade is said to be very good. The daily production in the old plants as well as the new will warrant the statement. The company has but a small supply of surplus product on hand, although the plants have been in steady operation for some time. The company has been installing labor-saving machines for some time and, contrary to expectations, the innovation has not interfered with the employment of the usual number of men, but has shown a tendency to increase the force, and the number of men employed at present is the greatest in the history of the firm. The three distinct factories are in complete operation and it is assured that this state of affairs will continue throughout the winter and spring.
The new pot furnace recently built at the Hemingray insulator plant is now operating and a full complement of men is steadily engaged. The production of this firm was never greater than at the present time and the indications are that it will increase. The plant has been enlarged in point of capacity from time to time, until it is one of the largest of this particular kind in this part of the country. The company is now enabled, throught [sic] through the installation of the new pot furnace, to manufacture glass of various hues, a specialty in this line for which there is a great demand.