Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
WINDOW GLASS ADVANCED.

Western Manufacturers Pat Up the Price D
Per Cenf-narerInIs Cost More Now
New York and New Jersey Makers NOT
Represented.
A meeting of the Western Window Glass
Manufacturers was held yesterday at the
Hotel Anderson. There were representa-
tives of all the diferentfrms in the vicinity
of Pittsburg and further west. The meet
ing was called for the purpose of consider
ing an advance in prices. Mr.. J. II. Hart
was Chairman. and William Loef1er acted
as secretary of the meeting. The session
was long None, occupying nearly all the
forenoon and afternoon.
Reports were read showing the condition of
trade in the various sections OF the country;
also letters from importers and others, from
which it was evident that the price Of French
glass will shortly advance. Owing to the open
winter and the favorable weather for building
operations, the demand for glass has been very
good, and the stock on hand is very small.
Notwithstanding these favorable conditions
from S to 10 per cent lower than a year ago.
The cost of soda-ash and other materials has in
creased greatly within the past few months.
The scarcity of skilled labor, whereby every
manufacturer was forced to employ some men
who neglect work and do not make full quanti-
ty, has also increased the cost of production,
and has likewise reduced the amount of ware
produced.
Under these circumstances, the manu-
facturers were compelled to make an advance
to cover the increased cost, and while large
number advocated 10 per cent, it was finally
agreed to advance only 5per cent. The price
now is so per cent, in car lots instead of 81 and
per cent Oh, as heretofore. This trifling ad-
vance was quite unsatisfactory to many manu-
facturers, but it is expected to make another
advance shortly, so as to cover the advance in
labor and chemicals.
This is the third time that window glass has
been advanced this season. First, to meet the
the raise in the cost of materials. Several firms
have contracts ahead, and these they will be
compelled to fill before they will realize on the
new scale OF prices.
The new prices have been made to govern
only the Western manufacturers. There were
no representatives from New York or Jersey
present, and none had been invited to attend.
1t was explained by several of the glass men.
The different sections of the country do not
enter into direct competition with each other.
The trade is virtually divided into sections.and
the factories in any certain place practically
supply all the glass needed in their vicinity
within q certain radius. The factories in
Indiana and Illinois supply points west of those
places, and the houses in Ohio supply
a different section. It is the same with Pitts
burg and the East. Although the new scale in
the West will be above the Eastern rates no
competition is feared while the conditions men,
toned above exist. The factories in New York
a. a.! SOHHCSLOu II INC OnAbcu Slaso NOulpaug1
but they and the Jersey firms will be asked to
cooperate with the Western firms in the ad-
vancement of prices. The Eastern houses find
1t harder to raise prices than the Western, be-
cause they have to enter into direct competi-
tion with foreign glass. The demand for glass
is good, and it is not expected that the in
creased price will affect the trade to any great
extent.
A very encouraging feature of the meeting
was the information that the best brands Of
American glass are now taking the place of for
eign glass in the Eastern markets, gas-made
glass being in many cases preferred TO French
were considered to keep the standard of quality
oh