Glass Industry, Muncie, Indiana

THE SITUATION AT MUNCIE.

Optimistic Size-Up Made by an Exchange,

What the Different Glass Companies

Are Doing.

The local industrial situation is showing an improvement that to many was hardly to be expected, and Muncie now finds itself far and away in advance of other cities in this section of the country in the matter of busy factories or plants that are about to resume, says the Star. In fact, the familiar "hum of industry" will be heard in its old-time form, almost, within the next few weeks. August always has been a comparatively dull month in industrial circles, many of the factories being closed in part or in full for the usual summer repairs. But September has brought about a general resumption, and has found the thousands of employees returning to their places. These scenes will be repeated and realized again this year to a very large extent.

A careful canvass of the manufacturing concerns was made and the gratifying information was gleaned that ere another month passes hundreds of working men and women who have been idle will be given employment. Some of the factories have been running on short force for several months, and these concerns will in crease their operations calling for additional labor. Other factories, which have been practically idle, will be started, preparations for resumption having been in progress during the last few weeks.

Regarding affairs as they pertain to the local glass industry the same authority gives the following:

The largest concern in Muncie, the Ball Bros. Glass Mfg. Co., now have a complement of 700 men on the payroll. There are three tanks in operation at the factory. The shipping season is at its height at the present time, but an official of the corporation stated that he thought a gradual increase in the number of employees would be made in the near future.

The Hemingray Glass Co., another one of Muncie's important glass industries has not closed this year, although but one tank has been in operation this summer. The furnace, however, steadily employs about 185 men, one-third of the regular force. There are sufficient orders to keep this number of employees at work, although an order of a general resumption is not anticipated in the near future. The plant, it is expected, will operate during the entire winter.

At the Boldt Glass Co.'s works on West Second street, there is now steady employment for 250 people. In connection with the glass manufacturing, a lithographing and cap department are operated, and this gives work for a large force of people. In the lithographing works, labels and posters for breweries are printed, as well as caps for beer bottles. Since Aug. 1, 1907, there has been at least one tank in operation. The order book is full and the prospects indicate that the plant will run entirely through the coming winter.