Description of the Pacific Glass Works; mentions insulators

THE PACIFIC GLASS-WORKS.

The stability and wealth of a nation depend almost entirely upon its manufacturing interests. A community independent upon foreign trade relations to meet the demands of home consumption indicates a primitive and almost hopeless condition of affairs. It is impossible to entertain an exhalted idea of a country without associating its inhabitants with a life of industry; and every race, solicitous in fostering the arts in manufacture expands its power and vitalizes its energies.

Day by day California is gradually but surely approaching that point when her industries will make her self-supporting, and, possibly, independent of questions involving protection by tariff. During the last few years woolen and rolling mills have been established, also numerous other factories in which the lighter industries are conducted; but, with all these additions to our wealth, our manufacturing interests have not kept pace with our material growth. This conclusion forces itself upon us daily, and not only old residents of California, but visitors from all parts of the world, regard this state of things as the most singular anomaly in our civilization; still, the observer can notice striking changes for the better daily. Among the few industries in this State, and especially to San Francisco, where large capital has been invested, we know of none that has been more successfully conducted than the Pacific Glass-works.

During the last seventy-five years the manufacture of Glass in the United States has been attended by many vicissitudes; and especially at the opening of the century, scarcity of expereienced labor, and the peculiar relations of our merchants with foreign factors, made this industry a very hazardous enterprise. Time, capital, and an interchange of business connections with other countries have fairly adjusted difficulties that seemed at one time insurmountable, and the last twenty-five years augur for us a successful competition in the future. It is true that the currents of trade are still against us, as we are compelled to import large quantities, but nevertheless certain lines of goods are now made right in our midst which bear more than a favorable contrast, both in price and quality, to the imported.

The Pacific Glass works is regarded as the chief producer of green and black ware on this coast, and is constantly making such additions to machinery, etc., that foreign goods of the same class will not, in a short time, find market in California. These works are situated on the corner of Iowa and Mariposa streets, Potrero. The real estate consists of about 10 acres of land, with most substantial buildings of brick and wood, of the value of $150,000. The floating capital used in the business is estimated at $75,000 more, thus making a grad total of $225,000 as the capital employed by this concern.

The agents, Messrs. John Taylor & Co., 514 Washington street, kindly furnished us with a card of introduction to their foreman, which enabled us to make an examination of their works. We learned on conversation with this gentleman that during this season a great demand existed for fruit-jars of the Gem, Victory, and Mason patterns, and that they are running their machinery to the fullest capacity in order to fill orders. Eastern articles of these styles were once favorites in this market but the home manufacture seems to have supplanted them on account of superior quality and finish. The price is also cheaper, which has induced dealers to abandon the importation of the former and recommend the use of the California article.

It might not be amiss to describe briefly the process of manufacturing Glassware, and at the same time suggest to our moneyed men that many ways of augmenting their capital exist in California, other than by time-honored usages of bond, mortgage and discount.

The sand used by the Pacific Glass-works is obtained from the beach around Monterry Bay, and is considered the very best for the purpose. Manganese or black lead is used for coloring. Waste glass forms a considerable portion of the raw material, and acts as a flux with the sand ussed. Without entering into detail as to how these materials are mixed, their chemical affinities and properties, we would conduct the reader to

THE FURNACE ROOM —

A capacious building of circular shape, in which a large number of workmen are employed. An immense furnace stands in the centre, lit up by fires of intense heat. The foreman naively remarked that this might form a mild introduction to our future home. Whether he had any just reasons for so doleful a prophecy we cannot state, still no adequate idea of this "fiery furnace" can be formed except by visiting it. This "Tophet" contains many crucibles, manufactured from peculiar qualities of clay imported specially by the house of John Taylor & Co. from Germany and England. The construction of these pots requires great care and experience, and the placing of a new one inside the furnace is attended with apparent danger and difficulty.

The liquid glass is conducted from the crucibles by a rod of iron, which the workmen use with great dexterity. The molten glass is first drawn over a slab of stone, and then partially blown, and after being sufficiently shaped, conducted to iron molds, which are made in two parts and hinged together, so that they can be opened and shut by the foot of the workman. The men were engaged at the time of our visit in the manufacture of champagne and mineral water bottles, also mustard bottles and a variety of others, besides insulators for telegraphic apparatus. As soon as these articles were fully molded, they were turned over to another department, called the

ANNEALING OVEN,

Where they remain from 24 to 48 hours. The greatest carre is required in passing them in and out, as several hundreds of them remain there at once. The temperature must also be of a certain standard, as a few degrees either way woudl affect their toughness. The ware is now ready for the

FINISHING DEPARTMENT,

In which every article is subjected to a thorough test, and any defect in blowing or annealing is at once detected. The machinery used in this department is very complete and perfect, called the "Samuels Patent Fruit Jar Grinder," and with the assistance of two men and boys, can grind 50 gross per day.

About 65 men and boys are employed in these works altogether, independent of Chinese, who are engaged covering demijohns with rattan. At this labor the Chinese are very proficient and faithful, but would not be employed if a white force could be obtained.

An immense number of demijohns are turned out every month, and the wine and liquor trade regard them as the best in the market. Banker's patent boxed demijohn of one, two, and five gallons capacity, for shipping purposes, have been ordered from John Taylor & Co. in much larger proportions than formerly. They are into general use.

The firm, viewing the great importance of the glass interest, both in the light of manufacturers and residents of this State, have been ready in adopting every improvement known either in the Eastern States or Europe.