Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-23
FOR WINDOW HOUSES
A Scheme to Get Pittsburg
Manufacturers Into a Pool.
THEY COULD FIGHT LABOR.
Eastern Factories Could Run While
Men Here Are Striking.
SECRETARY L0EFFLER'S VIEWS.
He Says it is Only for Concerns Running
Less Than 20 Pots.
SECRETARY LOEFFLER'S VIEWS.
THE GRIND OF THE INDUSTRIAL MILL


in one company for the purpose of econo-
MIXING on Office rent, clerk hire, etc. The
company now has control of all the window
houses in New York State, one in Pennsyl-
vania and one in Ohio. They are
trying to get the Pittsburg houses
to come into the combination, but so
far they have apparently met with no
success. 1t is rumored that several of the
smaller manufacturers here are considering
the matter of going in. and may do so un-
less the wage dispute is speedily settled.
The combination aims to control matters of
this kind on account of their Eastern fac
tories.
lowing circular has been received by every
manufacturer in this city:
OFFICE OF THE UNITED GLASS CoMPANY,l
SYRACUSE, n. Y, July 81, 1889.
GENTLEMEN-The present condition of af-
fairs in the window glass business is our
apology for addressing you in this manner.
All are familiar with the fact that the busi-
ness of the past year has been unsatisfactory
and that some remedy must be obtained. Our
people have given the subject careful consid-
Grafton, and have spent months of time and
labor to find relief from the situation, and have
as a result acted upon what seems to us the
only feasible and entirely legal method that
has been suggested.
THE BENEFITS APPARENT.
The benefits to be derived are so apparent
and so desirable, that they need not be here
enumerated to any experienced manufacturer,
and while the results to the manufacturers
might possibly be as great, if similar action
+al-a in ofl,ar
this matter teaches US that a consolidation
with an existing company is far preferable to
the delays which are unavoidable in the forma-
tion of a new organization-therefore, we invite
your attention tn our organization, which in
cludes large proportion of the works in New
York State. and also some in Pennsylvania and
no contracts or arrangements for the coming
fire, that may interfere with your joining us for
mutual protection and support.
We shall be pleased to hear from you on this
subject.
THE UNITED GLASS COMPANY,
BY o. E. FRAZEE, President
AS will be seen by the circular, the COM
pany suggests way to the Pittsburg manu-
facturers to avoid any trouble on the pres
ent wage dispute, and in speaking of this
yesterday, a well-known manufacturer said:
"The combination would be good thing
for us in the present trouble. The company
now controls and operates all the factories
in New York State. That territory is, in
what is known as the northern district, and
the wages paid there are 10 per cent less
than in this city. The workers here have
demanded an advance of from to 55 per
cent We will positively refuse to
pay il. If the other manufacturers grant
the advance and start their factories there is
nothing left for us to do but follow their e1-
ample. On account of the large stocks we
have on hand, and the present condition of
. h. 81 -at 2la,.a &c in fha hr1rT
ness. If we pay the advance we will really
be running at loss.
HOW THE TRUST WILL AID.
''Now, if we are in the combination we do
not need to grant the advance. The United
Company would say we cannot afford to pay
the advance, and would allow our factory to
stand idle until the men got tired and went
to work at our scale. In the meantime the
factories in the East would be running and
our trade could be supplied from there. 1t
would not be very long until our workers
saw they were in a hole and would go to
work This is the only practical way of
keeping wages down. We could allow our
factory to stand idle for year if necessary,
and we would be drawing our dividend
from the company the same as if We were
working.
"The plan OF operation is about as follows:
works with the combination already in ex-
istence. They will be the general executive
officers and direct how the works shall be
run, but we will attend to the details and
conduct the works as if we owned them.
Before buying, the company sends board
of appraisers here TO put a valuation upon
our plant. The board investigates our
books, finds out what our plant and prop
erty are worth, and the amount of business
done annually. They then make a state
ment to the company, who have the papers
made out for the transfer. We are then
given stock in the combination in exchange
for our plant, and we draw dividends as
stockholders. If our plant is worth S50, 900
we get that much stock, and are relieved of
all responsibility about managing the bust
ness.
ECONOMY is THE RAGE.
"The tendency of the window glass trade
is the same as other businesses, each manu-
facturer trying to economize on everything.
If we get 25 concerns in this pool we can cut
down expenses to minimum. 1t would
not be necessary to have travelling men and
agents for each house. 1t would not be
necessary to keep set of clerks and Office
for each concern. The travelling agents of
one house could work for the % Just as cas-
ily as work for one. 1t would be necessary
to have a large force of clerks, but not one
sixth as many as would be employed by the
% individual concerns. Each factory would
have its own warehouse, and orders would
be filled from the nearest house. Underthe
pooling arrangement, no one house would
have to carry heavy stock over the sum-
mer.
"When a strike is threatened it would be
easier for the manufacturers. A dozen men
would probably compose the Board of Man
ayers. Acting for one large concern, there
would be no feeling of uneasiness among
the manufacturers as to who would break
away from the association and sign the
workers scale first. The Board of Man
ayers would have everything in their own
hands, and they would be able 10 dictate
their own terms to the workers. Altogether
! think it is capital scheme, and it is
probable that number of Pittsburgers will
60 into it."
LoEFFLER APPROVES IT.
a call was made upon William Loefier,
Secretary of the Manufacturers Associa-
tion, and that gentleman was interrogated in
regard to the matter. Mr.. Loeffler said:
81 have seen the circulars, but
the intention is to get in small
factories only. The window houses
in New York State now in the company
are nearly all small concerns, and the com
bination has been q success. In addition to
saving Office rent, clerk hire and thousands
of dollars in other ways, there would
be no cutting of rates among the
different houses. The company could
one factory started up, they would all want to
work. If the scale was signed for one, 1t
would have to be signed for all.
GsI do not think that the Hnited Comnanv