Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-08-05
FLINT GLASS TRADE.

Itsl Conditions for the Last Two Years
The Present and Future Prospects
Financial Statement of Some of Our
Neighboring Factories.
The trade in the flint glass ware has been
very slow for the last year, and buyers lay
in their stock with due deliberations aud
judgement. The factory that has old
styles Of ware on hand finds il very hard to
dispose of it at any price. The American
people are continually graphing for some
thing new, therefore the. enterprising firm
which is out early with new line Of
samples, commands what little trade there
is 1t would appear that this class Of busi.
ness was overdone. That the production
ex xceeds the consumption. For the last
two years number OF the manufactures in
this part of the country, and probably other
parts also have been unable 10 make ex
pcnees and a number Of good factories have
been losing money steadily during the
period The trouble is not because labor
is too highly paid, but it lays in the fact
that the glass houses have been cutting
prices from time to time 10 catch trade, and
among themselves have managed to get
prices so fine that it is hard for the table
ware factories TO continue work without
loss This is certainly the era of low prices.
Your representative desiring further infor.
nation on the condition of the flint glass
factories in this vicinity, and wishing more
knowledge of trade visited the Office OF q
well known glass man and AZ once made
known his business
Said he: "You newspaper men are al
ways inquiring into something You know
nothing about and should give yon rew
pointers they would appear in print just the
opposite from right. But, continued he,
there is no use Withholding the truth
that the business you ask about
is about as low as il can
get None of the factories are making
any money worth speaking Of, and venture
to say none of them will be over anxious TO
start this month.
Your reporter having accidentally heard
that the financial standing Of number Of
factories was not the best continued his in
terrogations
Il have heard remarked the scribe.
that the houses in Martins Ferry are in
bad circumstances.
Yes. from what | understand they are
have heard that the Elson has not been
able TO do what was expected by the man
ayers The capital stock was reduced
somewhat last winter The Buckeye seems
to be worse of than any Of them, but un-
l. II kn 1a 40
furnaces some time in September Con-
tinuing, he said: 1T is not generally
known that the Union, OF the same place,
has also reduced stock considerably
How about the La Belle Glass Works at
Bridgeport was asked.
1T is the same old story. The food in
February put out the one furnace that was
working, causing the factory to shut down,
and il is not known exsctly when the fire
will be lighted again. lam told that .
short time ago an effort was made TO re
duce stock fifty per cent, but il was no 60.
A majority Of the stockholders kicked. Be
fore the meeting adjourned. however, it was
decided to put $4,000 worth Of bonds on
the market"
What Of the standing Of the factories Of
BellaireH' was next asked.
The Glass City is not without her troub-
les as we'll as other places. A depression
in trade generally strikes all alike The
factories in that growing little city have
not been making money, but If any can be
made in this line that is the place it will
be made. II ia stated that the Belmont and
the Etna are both carrying good sized
debts. This bug-bear will no doubt be cast
of. if trade would only continue brisk for q
couple Of years Rodefer Bros, owners OF
the National Glass Works, reported good
trade when they shut down for the summer.
This works has been running pretting steady.
but with all possible care and watching.
owing to close prices, has made little or no
money.
"Can you not mention some Of the flint
houses that have made money during the
last year,
on, yes. the Central Glass Works in this
city. the Riverside glass works at Wellsburg,
W. Va, and the Bellaire Goblet Works at
BelIaire have made some little money dur.
ing the pinch"
"Do you not look for Q change for the
better IN the near futufef was tne earnesS
question pu, BY the reporter.
Yes, sir, brighter times are coming i am
sure. II may be some time get bat feel
confident . reaction viii take place. and
trade viii be lively for . time As il ever vss.
Better prices s what Is needed
more than ANYTHING else. The
Belmont and Rtna factories IN the Glass
CITY can soon recover their lost grounds
The former Is nov under the control Of that
able secretary. VIM. Brinton, and he II
doubling his efforts in behalf ofthe Belmont
Unnecessary labor and expenses have bees
dispensed with. A large line Of new goods
Will be put on the market ~ soon - posi-
bic. The Etna has been running steadily
since It's erection. and has very LITTLE stock
on hand. but reyerses have caused
the trouble. have no doobt
but that her secretary, Mr. Ed. Bowie, viii
never rest contented until the factory is oil
square as regards money matterh' Purth-
er be said TO the news man, Il can almost
see the trade begin to brighten slrsady. ssd
II cheers. Dealers seem 20 Be On the sleFt
sooner this year than lass; confidence vin
gradually be reStored. and our business viIl
boom bye and bye.