Baltimore Glass Manufacturing Company, Baltimore, Maryland

THE TRADE IN BALTIMORE.

Conditions Generally Are Reported to

Be Good for All Branches.

A Rumor Regarding Baker Bros.

Said to be About to Revive a Defunct

Concern.

BALTIMORE, MD., April 7. - Swindell Bros., of this city, are operating their large plant to its fullest capacity, and are turning out a great amount of ware. Both furnaces are on in the window department besides the green and flint houses. Business is fair, and President Walter Swindell has a very hopeful view of the future. The quality of the glass turned out in the window plant is much better than during the first three weeks in March, and the employes [sic] employees are feeling better consequently. Great improvements have been made since our last visit here. The firm has a commodious two-story structure, 90x24 feet, the second story of which is used by the office force. There is also a new one-story brick used as a warehouse. These buildings have been erected opposite the factory on the plot of ground made vacant by the big fire which destroyed so much of the Swindell Bros.' property some time ago.

At the Carr-Lowrey Glass Works both furnaces are in operation and about the same number of men are employed as on our previous visit. Business, as reported by S. J. Carr, of the above firm, is hardly fair, although there has been a perceptible improvement of late. The factory will make the fall season's run up to the last of June. Manger John Brannin, the well known ex-flint president, is still holding the reins in the factory department, and looks as hale and hearty as ever. Fewer changes are made in the personnel of the factories in Baltimore from one season's end to the other than possibly in any other city in the country. Every plant here has a steady set of workmen, and each year, with but few exceptions, the same genial faces greet us. This speaks well for the manufacturers and men alike.

King & Son have two of their three furnaces in operation under the efficient management of the veteran David Fetters. "Silver clear every blowing" (We beg pardon for using the expression, as so many of our friends in the trade seem of fond of) is not the rule here, but a good quality of glass is being turned out and we are informed the men as a general thing are getting their full quota. Trade has improved considerably the past few weeks and everything about the plant is running smoothly.

By the way, talking about "silver clear every blowing," we honestly think the term should be used more sparingly, as anyone who has ever spent any time in a window plant knows this state of affairs hardly ever exists. Of course many factories have had a food run of glass at times, but to say they have silver clear at every blowing - well, there are many who judiciously take a few large-sized grains of salt with their assertion.

Seims and Baker Bros. are still idle, but the rumor has been extensively circulated here that one of the members of the latter firm is contemplating putting capital behind the Baltimore Glass Manufacturing Co., or taking the plant outright and beginning operations. The factory is now shut down and has not been doing anything for three or four weeks. We cannot say whether the rumor has any foundation or not, as we were unable to see Mr. Baker, but it is the sole topic of conversation in glass circles here.

T. J. Donahue's mold shop is doing a rushing business at present, and a larger force is employed than last year. Mr. Donahue reports plenty of orders, in fact all he can do, and attributes many of his orders to his advertisements in THE COMMONER AND GLASSWORKER. Through his add, he had received inquires and orders from the far West and Northwest, California and Vancouver. It pays to advertise.

President W. J. Smith, of the A. F. G. W. U., who was in Philadelphia the latter part of the week on business, stopped over in this city for a short time last Sunday evening before returning to Pittsburg. We had a pleasant half-hour chat with him before he took his departure.

Thos. Reed, a glassworker of this city, has accepted a position at Millville, and left for that place today. - Ferdinand Basson, of Carr-Lowrey glass works, who was off sick last week with a severe attack of chills and fever, is again at work.

Fred Rixsie, J. J. Kelly, John and Harry Fritz, and Michael O'Brien are among the Swindell workers.

The Sheppard Club had a great oyster roast this week, and we regret to say we weren't there to help dispose of the luscious bi-valves. A very large time was had from all accounts, and the only thing which marred the enjoyment of the occasion was the non-appearance of "Belmont." Enoch Wills, preceptor at Swindell's was commissioned to hunt us up, but got sidetracked in some manner and failed to deliver the invitation until the next day, when we went and viewed the empty oyster shells, etc., and had a general good time. Enoch says there will certainly be an oyster roast gotten up in our honor if we only stay over another day; but much to our regret we are compelled to postpone the festive occasion until our next visit. However, we will live in anticipation until we visit the Oriole City again. Some idea of the size of the affair can be had when we say that the members of the club consumed four and one-half barrels of oysters and other luxuries in proportion. Many of the members are employed at King & Son's and Swindell's. - BELMONT.