Hemingray Glass Company - Muncie, Indiana

GLASS PLANT IS NOW IDLE.

Boys at Hemingray's Struck

For More Money.

CITE CASE AT BALL BROS.

The boys employed at Hemingray's Glass Works are out on a strike for an increase in wages of 20 cents per day. The trouble occurred at noon Monday. The factory, employing several hundred persons, is now idle.

The inception of the trouble dates to a few days ago, when the lehr boys and off-bearers in Ball Brothers' plant were granted an increase of 20 cents a day. A committee from the Hemingray boys called on the company and asked for a like advance, but they were told that their request would not be complied with. They were offered 10 cents a day more, but this was not satisfactory and the strike was inaugurated at noon Monday.

The scale of wages in force among the sticking-up and carrying-in boys in the Hemingray factory has been 70 and 80 cents per day. The demands, if complied with, would mean an increase to 90 cents and $1 per day. In all 125 boys are affected by the strike, and the increase asked would mean to the company about $25 per day.

The company Monday night took steps to get officers to look after the boys this morning. Seventeen boys have signified their willingness to return to work on the day shift and it is the intention of the company to protect them.

MR. HEMINGRAY'S STATEMENT.

Ralph Hemingray, president of the company, stated to a Star reporter Monday evening that the labor question among the boys is fast assuming a serious condition. He said that the boys came to him at 10 o'clock and asked that they be granted an increase in wages of 10 cents per day, as the boys at the Ball Brothers factory had received an increase of that amount. He told them to return to work and he would investigate, and if their statement was found to be true, the wages would be regulated to meet this. They returned to work and he telephoned Ball Brothers and ascertained that an increase of only 10 cents had been granted. He posted notices in the factory that the wages had been increased to the amount asked, but, when the noon hour arrived, the boys made a new demand for 20 cents increase, he said. This was refused. In Covington, Ky., according to Mr. Hemingray, the boys are glad to receive $3 per week and even less. With the advance granted the men some time ago, it means additional wages of $8,000 a year. The plant employs about 375 hands.