A Muncie Glass Manufacturer May Import Negroes From the south to Work in Factory

MAY IMPORT NEGROES.

Startling Story About Gas Belt

Glass Factories.

STORY IS UNCONFIRMED.

Reported that a Muncie Manufacturer and

A Madison County Factory Owner

Contemplate Bringing in Southern

Colored Men and Boys.

A startling story for the truth of which The Times does not undertake to vouch, was heard last evening in which it was stated that a Muncie manufacturer and a manufacturer of Madison county contemplate importing southern negroes to the demand for small help in their factories. The story was told in good faith by a man employed in a local factory, who apparently would have no object in telling an untruth.

It is well known that the greatest difficulty with which the gas belt manufacturers now have to contend is to the getting of boys to do the small work of the factory. Far better wages than were before offered, now prevail, but the scarcity continues the same. Agents have been sent abroad to scour the rural districts of Indiana but still there comes no relief in the way of boys.

The state truancy law and the state child labor law have diminished the supply of available children. This year, the laws are being enforced more stringently than ever and this has had a disastrous effect upon factory conditions. It is probable such action, if it has been taken, will not meet with approval by the workmen but it is the last resort of the manufacturers. It is said in some southern communities all the available colored men and boys desired might be secured at nominal wages. Unions, however, probably would cause a uniform wage rate to be paid. If such an action be taken, it will be a great expense to the manufacturers who take it, as the bringing of the needed colored men and boys from the south will cost heavily in the way of transportation.

An effort was made by a reporter this morning, to confirm the story, but the effort was unsuccessful.

All plans to employ girls in place of the boys, have been abandoned because of public sentiment and the incompetency of the girls.