Elmer Glass Company a certainty, corporation to lease works from Parker

ELMER GLASS CO. A CERTAINTY.

A Philadelphia Flint Worker Comments on

Midwinter Shutdown.

Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 5. — All doubts as to whether the glass works at Elmer, N. J., would resume operations have been set at rest by the incorporation of the Elmer Glass Co., with an authorized capital of $100,000. The incorporators are Messrs. Davis, Edward Lanning and John N. Glaspell, all of Bridgeton. The old plant has been leased from Jonathan Parker, the owner, and Daniel Parker has been appointed general manager of the concern. The plant will manufacture electric insulators exclusively, giving employment to all the old hands, together with a number of additional workers. Operation will be resumed in a few days.

It seems too bad that closing down factories in mid-winter can not be avoided as invariably men are taxed to their utmost during the hot weather. If things could be reversed, better results would doubtless be obtained. Philadelphia flint workers will hold out strongly for a six weeks' stop next summer with the end in view of possibly eliminating this evil. We have advocated yielding to the manufacturers' desire for a short summer stop, but what is the use when the privilege is abused? With but few exceptions they start when they feel like, placing the workers at a great disadvantage as at the close of the fire we figure just how long our vacation will last and make arrangements accordingly, but when two and sometimes four weeks are added and two weeks in midwinter, I feel that the workers should take the bull by the horns and set a reasonable summer shut down and stand by it. It is all nonsense arranging the summer stop in February and reversing the settlement in June.

The many glassworkers who turned out at the funeral of Francis Derlin, in the face of a raging blizzard, deserve great credit for their sincere show of respect and esteem. It was a bitter cold day yet there was a very strong representation from Local Union No. 64.

It is reported that the friends of the dead brother are investigating the affairs of the Workers' Burial Society. Much unfavorable comment has been caused owing to the way matters have been conducted. It really does seem strange that a committee, each holding separate lists of members' names, does not know who is entitled to benefits. If the mortality lists had been the property of the local as it should have been, the late Terry McGovern's family would have had their benefits six months ago, and Derlin's family would not have been deprived of theirs. I do not mean to insinuate that there has been dishonesty, but it is certain that there has been the worst kind of management throughout.

There are quite a number of good men, gaffers, blowers and gatherers, unemployed here. If an eastern or western manufacturer is in need of skilled help here is his chance.

Philadelphia glassworkers turned out strong Saturday evening to see Eddie Steel, a local glassworker, and Hugh Dougherty, box six rounds for the championship of Port Richmond. After the contest had gone three rounds Eddie forgot which end was proper to stand on. It was while endeavoring to stand on his head that his seconds, Jack Randall and Jim Mullin, threw the sponge into the ring, thereby awarding the verdict to Dougherty.

Otto Miller and Frank Kricht, both of Gillinder & Sons, have gone to Monaca, Pa., where they have accepted places at the Phoenix Glass Co.'s works. — Sixty-Four.