McLaughlin Glass Company, Los Angeles, CA

CALIFORNIA'S GLASS INDSUTRY

The October issue of The American Flint, carries a review of the glass industry in Southern California from the pen of G. H. Gray, who writes from Los Angeles. To Quote:

"To my surprise I find we have 12 factories here in southern California manufacturing most every class of ware, namely, window glass, rolled art glass, for decorative window purposes, pressed glass ware, machine made bottles of all sizes and descriptions, up to five gallons. In fact the factories are equipped to manufacture most anything in this line that the trade might demand. From what I have observed, they are turning out a class of ware that should not cause the proprietors to blush, competing in the most critical markets. In addition to these factories we have two as well equipped mould shops as you would find anywhere, even in the older glass manufacturing districts. These are owned and operated independent of any of the glass factories, but of course depend on them for the most of their business. Both, however, get considerable business making moulds for specialists and inventors, as there appears to be a number of such here on the coast who have only been waiting for this opportunity. I am pleased to say that I have heard many flattering statements of both of these firms as to the high quality of work turned out in their line. One of these firms is composed of R. C. Lenard and Samuel Woods, operating under the firm name of Lenwood Specialty Works, 2235 38th street, Los Angeles, Calif. Their shop is well equipped and operated entirely by electric power, each tool with independent motor. The other firm is composed of Henry Forger and Albert Forger, father and son, and operated under the firm name of R. H. Forger & Co. They also operate entirely by electric power. They have built a commodious fire-proof building and have everything essential in the way of equipment. Their plant is at 2414 East 58th street, Los Angeles, Calif. The members of both firms, as well as their employees, function with our association.

The latest addition to the glass industry here is what is to be known as the Co-Operative Glass Company and is located at 1081 Richmond street, Los Angeles, and is headed by W. C. Blank as general manager. They have constructed a modern plant in all the word implies and have selected a very sightly as well as a suitable location for their plant. Their equipment consists of most everything that would come under the head up-to-date, and have installed a large mould shop, well equipped with machinery and tools, and the writer was informed that at present they are keeping eight mould makers quite busy. The factory proper consists of one 250-ton tank, and four 80-foot lehrs running parallel with the furnace, two on each side, and surrounding the working end of the furnace are six machines, two Millers, three Lynches, and one O'Niell. Your correspondent was very much impressed by the consideration shown the men by this firm in the unstinted manner in which their locker arrangements are constructed, as well as the sanitary arrangement of toilets and commodious shower baths. Your writer, who was shown every courtesy by Mr. Blank, was informed he would be running in a few days and would be prepared to take care of anything in his line that the trade demanded from 1 ounce to 5 gallons. The mould-makers with this firm are all members of our association.

The Southern Glass Company, located at 2501 East 26th street, Los Angeles, has been in operation for several years, and has kept continually on the increase, as well as improving their product and at present has quite an enviable reputation for the quality of its wares, which includes a general lines of bottles and containers, including a full line of milk bottles. The capacity of its tank is about 50 tons, and it is operating with machines — seven in all, 4 Lynch and 3 Teeples. This firm has a well-equipped mould shop and employ several of our members. Being under conservative business management I look to see it keep on increasing.

The West Coast Glass Company, located at Boyle and Slossen avenue, is another prosperous and busy firm that has been operating for several years and has been quite successful. The product of this firm is milk bottles exclusively and the quality of its ware is such that can only be produced by specializing, as one's efforts always attain a higher stage of art by confining its efforts to some one particular line. It has one tank and three Teeple machines, also a well equipped mould shop and employ two mould makers who are members of our association.

The McLaughlin Glass Company, located on East 52nd street, Los Angeles, has been in operation for some time and keep growing and is on the increase all the time. This firm manufactures insulators and packer's ware by the machine process, up to and including 5-gallon, as well as many other articles in the glass line. This firm also has installed its own mould shop and employs two of our members.

There is also a factory at Compton, Cal., possibly 12 miles from Los Angeles, and one at Long Beach, Cal., 23 miles from Los Angeles. The Compton firm is known as the Federal Glass Company and the one at Long Beach as the Long Beach Glass Company. The writer is sorry to say that he has not had the pleasure of visiting either of these plants, consequently is not in the position to inform you as to their capacity or product other than to state that he has been informed that they are both equipped with machines as well as employiing some hand shops and that their product consists of a general line of bottles and packers' ware.

The Crystal Glass Company of Los Angeles is located on East 52nd street and had been in operation for about two years, but closed recently for repairs and possibly may reorganize before starting, and the future operations may be on a larger scale. They have been operating with two press and three blower shops — the writer has not heard recently what progress this firm is making in the reconstruction of their plant.

The Technical Glass Company of Los Angeles, Cal., is located on Compton avenue near 29th street, and manufactures quite a fine line of novelties, which consist of door knobs, furniture knobs and a large variety of small knobs for inside work, drawer pulls. It makes paste mould ware and in fact most anything in specialties that the trade demands, all of which is of high-grade quality. This firm is quite progressive and just recently selected a new location and expect to build a new and larger plant to better care for its rapidly growing trade. At present it is operating with four press shops and in addition making some blown ware. They have their own mould shop and employ three mould makers. Their workmen are all members of our association.

The Brock Glass Company is located at Santa Anna, Cal., which is 34 miles from Los Angeles. This firm also operates exclusively on specialties principally knobs such as door knobs, furniture knobs, drawer pulls and many other specialties, prism lights, ornamental lights, and a large variety of auto lenses, spot lights and furniture castors. This firm is quite proud of its ware and is finding quite a sale for it in eastern markets. At present it is operating with two press shops with day tanks.