Glass Industry, Muncie, Indiana

NEWS CONCERNING MANY PLANTS

IN THE INDIANA DISTRICT.

The Commoner and Glassworker's Staff Representative

Visits Many Points in the Hoosier State and Submits a

Breezy Report — Review of the Situation at Ball Bros.

and the Chas. Boldt Muncie Plant — Latest Concerning

Affairs at the Indiana Glass Co.'s Tableware Factory

— At Rau Bros. Indianapolis Bottle Factory — Anderson

Flint Bottle Co. Will Make Glass March 1 — Items of

General Interest.

GENERAL TRADE CONDITIONS REVIEWED

By Chas. C. Mayer.

Of Ball Bros.' Glass Mfg. Co.'s ten large continuous tank furnaces the last one built is in double shift operation at Muncie and gives employment to four sets of men, who are now working week about. They are producing various kinds of machine-made wide mouth bottles. What the future has in store for this mammoth enterprise is hard to forecast, especially with reference to the production of fruit jars, but the management figure on placing in operation another furnace on wide mouth ware later in the season. As to jars, Manager Fred E. Jewett said: "We manufactured and shipped immense quantities of that ware last season, about two-thirds of which may still be in the hands of the dealers, and, roughly estimated, what the dealers and manufacturers are carrying at present it is thought will supply all spring and summer consumption and what we will have to do next blast depends to a great extent on the 1908 fruit crop."

All three of the Hemingray Glass Co.'s furnaces are cold, but, as it is said, "every dark cloud has its silver lining," so it is at this institution, where the management informed the writer that in about a month it will probably be necessary to put at least one furnace in blast again. Supt. J. C. Gray stated that inasmuch as the company's chief output consists of insulators, they felt the cessation of construction work more than ordinarily this winter, and as they have quite a large stock they can take care of all orders for repair work, but nevertheless, they hope to find it necessary to operate a furnace a little later. He anticipates construction work will at least be normal toward spring and summer which will, of course, bring about better conditions at the local establishment.

The Chas. Boldt Glass Co.'s small flint tank, known as "Maud" in glass house circles at Muncie, was let out last Saturday and the nine-ring tank was again put in operation on Monday last. Two shifts will be worked on this furnace giving employment to 30 blowers on a division of time save the big shop, which may work steadily. Three machines will also be operated. A trestle for coal cars is a new feature at this company's Muncie plant which permits the hauling in of coal in hopper-bottom dumping cars that can be unloaded in 20 minutes. Manger Thos. Holden was visited last Saturday by Frank Schilling, manager of the firm's Cincinnati plant.

While not the most glowing report is made by President Frank W. Merry, of the Indiana Glass Co., Dunkirk, Ind., who recently returned from the annual Pittsburg glass exhibit, his spirit is by no means daunted in the contemplation of the firm's prospects for business during 1908. The fact is the Indiana company are producing a few new lines at present which possess merit, seldom characteristic of tank glass. The "Chloris" line, named after the goddess of flowers in ancient Greek mythology, is the cleverest figured product for decorating ever turned out by this concern. Pansy blossoms stand out in bold relief under the gold edge decoration and the surrounding green palm leaves give the ware an effect hitherto unapproached in the production of tank tableware. Another new line is plain and is intended for sandblast finishing.

Besides a blownware shop on each shift making lamps, salts, molasses cans, and some novelties, there are a number of press shops making a general line of tableware a big portion of which is decorated in gold and colors. Three tanks are usually operated here but there is only one in blast at present and blocked fire is being kept up in another. Working week is about is an unaccustomed feature among the members of Local Union No. 107, as they had been getting steady time right along prior to the financial flurry. The company's mold-making force has lost no time this winter, which is rather exceptional in that branch of the trade at this time.

At the Fairmount Glass Co.'s works, Indianapolis, Ind., reports are that trade is improving. Manager Fred Rau would like to operate two shifts on the large flint tank but he will in all probability be governed in that respect by the outcome of the meeting of western bottle manufacturers, which was scheduled to be held this week at Cincinnati. The general impression is that several concerns are desirous of discontinuing expensive one-shift operations. Amber ware seems to be moving more freely at present, but the time is thought to be near at hand when flint bottle stocks in dealers' hands will be depleted to the point where they will be obliged to do some ordering. The Anderson Flint Bottle Co.'s plant is ready for operation, and according to our informant, the management expect to make bottles by March 1.

"The blowers at the Diamond Glass Co.'s plant, Jackson, O., have lost only two weeks this fire," said Clarence Bowser, bottle blower, now working at the Muncie plant of the Chas. Boldt Glass Co. He formerly worked at Jackson. They work double shift and the concern gives employment to 16 shops on a general line of flint prescription war and some sodas. Jacob Hale has charge of factory operations at Jackson and H. S. Warrick is secretary of the company. The workers constitute Branch No. 74, G. B. B. A.

Maring, Hart & Co., Dunkirk, Ind., are operating double shift on two continuous tank furnaces manufacturing flint bottles.

G. F. McDonnel is office clerk at the Pennsylvania Glass Co.'s works, Anderson, Ind., where Michael Kennedy still holds the managerial reins. Machine ware and blown flint bottles are manufactured.

Members of Local Union No. 107 have unanimously resolved to support no aspirant for office at the next election who is indifferent to organized labor. They have an investigating committee for the purpose of inquiring into the character of political candidates and engage speakers occasionally for the enlightenment of union voters.

Muncie Personal Jottings.

Miss Georgia Green, the bright young lady who for years has had charge of the clerical end in the Chas. Boldt Glass Co.'s Muncie office, still holds her old position. — Mrs. Thos. Holden has been critically ill of late, but hopes for her recovery are entertained. — Numbered among Muncie bottle blowers at the Boldt plant are Frank Ellis and shopmates, latterly from Paducah, Ky., Albert Swift, Florry Johnson, Wm. Skouden, T. R. Ashbaugh, and others. — O. A. Smith presides in the machine shop and Wm. Eiler in the smithy.

T. C. Lacey, ex-glassworker at Muncie, has the best moving picture stand in the city, being located on Walnut street, and is doing well, not withstanding the dull times. — A few of those working last week at Ball Bros. plant are Mike Kerrigan, Wm. Tibbins, Lon Thorp, Geo. Barngrover, Fred Davis, Ernest Parker, John Norton, Otto Wilbee, Frank Vanuddy, and Lawrence Black, formerly at Belleville. The latter says, "No financial stringency with me," and the boys say it's because of Lawrence's recent marriage to an estimable lady from Yorktown.

Geo. Cahill looks hale and hearty in the beverage dispensary of the "Happy Home Fishing Club headquarters, Muncie, where the 30 members contrive all kinds of schemes to "drive away the blues." As soon as the weather permits they will drive stakes along Cayanaugh's canal in southern Indiana, where tons of fish and turtles will be landed. Dr. Hartle's yacht will be at the disposal of the club and their friends.

Indianapolis, Cicero, and Kokomo.

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