The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-03

workingmen, who do not believe the AID
vocate ignores the usefulness Of and adj
vantages to be derived from Capital when
engaged in legitimate productive enter
prise, | have ventured TO note down few
Of my leisure thoughts and send them to
you to be consigned to your I" waste bas-
ket or the public, as your judgment
may best direct
Being practical glass-blower Of many
years experience, not only here but in the |
east, and ia Great Britain | claim to have |
some knowledge of the properties and |
qualities Of the ingredients requisite III |
lime, sand, and soda, all Of which can be |
obtained with a. much ease and as little /
cost IN this city as they can be had at any
other point IN the United States
The quality # the ingredients may be |
a question for discussion. Two Of the in
1 gradients before named salt and soda. |
admit Of no debate as to their quality, |
for, as they are minerals not belonging to |
OF obtainable in the eastern or western
States, they'are accessible alike to either,
and hence the item IF cost, on their &C
count can BE- but an uncomfortable cir
\ cumstance IN determining the location of
site for manufacturing. But when |
come to consider the other two. and most
important, Ingredients in the production
Of glass sand and lime it seems aston
ishing 70 me that there is not, somewhe.e
in the vicinity ~ Chicago, one or more IF
the most hourishing glass " orks in the
country.
Sand and lime w. have, not only II
abundance, but Of a superior quality
Any one Who il III the least acquainted with
the properties Of the sand required for
this purpose, and who will take the trouble
to analize the chart found at our very
doors, viii agree with me that il is the best
IN the country FIR the purpose Our lime
also will stand the same test.
There is one more item-snd very
important one, too, O. be taken into
consideration. and that il coal. II Il 4
We'll known fact that bituminuus coal Is
not only tt, very best, but Is the onig coal
tit for the manufacture II glass The
west, and especially Illinois, is famous for
this quality Of coal. According W recent
developments there Is an abundance Of
this material at the threshold II our city.
laying where il has slept for centuries,
awaiting the united action Of labor and
capital to make It a thing ~ utility and an
article Of wealth. But allowing that pru-
dence and good judgment declare il u be
incUln 1atible with the eternal fitness Of
things to open these coal beds, We are still
but few miles from the grand prairies.
where there are inexhaustible beds Of this
quality u coal, from which the great lines
Of railroads centerlng in Chicago. and
by means Of which the coal can be deliver
ed from the mines 70 the works in the
short sp ace Of three hours.
But the point with capitalists il viii it
pay Such aqnestion may very properly be
asked, wheE, in d little town, from com
bination IF unfavorable circumstances. the
starting Of a large enterprise would be of
doubtful propriety, then it might he asked.
will it pay But when, in large com
mercial and manufacturing city, such All
undertaking is talked Of, the question is
not will it pay III but the wonder il, Why
It had not been in successful operation
long ago. Chicago alone would consume all
the glass that one Or twu glass works could
produce The mineral and soda water es-
adjustments IF the city alone would keep
glass works going the year around Then
there are our drug stores, and patent med
Iclnes, concerns which consume millions Of
glassware annually, not " speak " the
liquor or vine trade, which nf itself creates
an extensive demand in the way " vine
bottles, TASKS, demiJohns, ETC.. etc
Why is il then We have no glass works
IN Chicago ; Why have the men, the CAPT
talists Of Chicago, who are 80 noted for
their energy and enterprise, been 80 in
different TO this branch Of industry Tits
profitable Ia the east, where the cost Of
production Is greater than II possibly could
be "a Chicago, ~, IN fact, any part Of the
west Can II be- from a fear IL compe-
tltion | think not, for the little glass
that has been manufactured here, notvith-
standing that II was done Under the super
intendence Of men who did not under
stand their business, compared favorably
with any manufactured east ot Chicago
The quality Of our sand and lime il su-
perior to any used m the manufacture Of
this article east q Chicago. We who un-
derstand the business do not fear cumpe-
tition we are satisfied Of our ability we
have the same human elements ~ success
as Pittsburgh, OF any Of the eastern cities
have, but our capitalists viii not take al
vantage Of the means which we az me
chanics, are willing to place in their |
hands. Why It is ! cannot say. II only |
few public spirited men would embark !
in the enterprise and afford an opportunity
to the mechanics who are now in Chicago
and those who are willing to come, for |
tune, or several fortunes, is awaiting the /
bold and enterprising. At least such is
the humble opinion Of yours,
JOHN MURRY.