Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-24
A PULLMAN NEAR By,
The Car Company's Experiment
Successfully Repeated in
Pennsylvania,
NOT FAR FROM PITTSBURG.
One Plate Glass Company Owns Every
Structure in the Town,
INCLUDING PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The Religious and Moral Welfare of the
Population Cared For.
NOT FAR FROM PITTSBURG.
INCLUDING PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
THE LIVING is WONDERFULLY CHEAP

One of the most interesting communities
in Western Pennsylvania is Ford City. A
town that is built, owned and exclusively
controlled by manufacturing corporation
can scarcely be said to be a social expert
ment, for there are now several such places.
in the United States. But at this time
Ford City may be considered a social curl
osity.
1t is passing through the first stage OF
evolution. After a career of little more than
two years, it has reached point where its
society has begun to develop; where results
are commencing to come from the far-sighted
policy of cap1talistic economists; where the
workings of corporation government in a
monopolistic town may be observed.
A Pittsburg lady, recently visiting a
relative at Ford City, happened to mention
that in her garret at home she had two cast
off overcoats for men, which she would send
10 him, and that be could give them to per-
sons whom he thought would need them for
the present cold weather. The young man
replied:
''There Is nobody here who is need of any
thing like that"
" hat Called Ine DlSpatCnS ACtentlOn.
1t was this remark that led staff corre-
spondent of TIE DISPATCH to spend day
at Ford City within the past week. The
town is in Armstrong county, 40 miles from
Pittsburg and miles below Kittanning. 1t
has a population of perhaps 8, 500 souls, and
the entire place is owned by the Pittsburg
Plate Glass Company, whose extensive
works are located there. The houses for the
people are all of the best class, both brick
and rame. and are far superior to the tene-
ments usually found in company towns. The
company owns every one of these many hun
dreds OF dwellings. They will not sell
single one, but all are rented on the most
reasonable terms-irom s. to $40 per month.
The company owns all the public build
inCS including the hotel, stores, halls and
postoflce Included in these are reading
rooms, gymnasium and Offices for the use of
the public.
The first item OF news the reporter en-
coUutered was the iact that a great revival
of religion is going on in the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Thus far IS persons
have been converted. Rev. Mr.. Hall is the
pastor of this flock.
The Company's Religions Work.
he is much liked, and seems to have
great influence with the people. Every
night for several weeks past the church has
3
est IN the meetings continues unabated. In
all Of this the plate glass company has had
a part. The church is beautiful brick
building. In all Pennsylvania outside of
the large cities. more complete sanctuary
cannot be found. The windows are of an
artistic design in stained glass, the seats are
in amphi1hcater form, the chandeliers are
massive and specially adapted for natural
gas, and the whole is finished in expensive
style. This church was built and entirely
paid for by Mrs. Captain Ford, wife Of the
founder OF the PittSburg Plate Glass Works
Adjoining il q parsonage for the preacher
was built and paid tor bv her son, Mr.. Ed
ward Ford, president of the company. These
two buildings were then given by Mrs. Ford
and her son TO the Pittsburg Conference OF
the NJ Z. Church, wholly free of debt or
conditions. The dedication of the church
occurred only last summer. The organiza-
tion Of the congregation has been with the
people themselves.
Why the Corporation is Benefited.
The company is now done with the prop.
erty, and to all intents and purposes paws nc
more attention to ii. Butwhat has been the
result thus far of their liberalItv? Well,
every member OF that church is a workman
in the glasswoTks, for nobody lives in the
town except plate-Slass workmen. Every
one of the IS persons converted in the pres
ent revival is either workman in the fac
tory or a member of a 'workman's family.
Nobody will deny that as a consequence OF
the conversions the people directly inter
ested Will become better workmen-more
conscientious-and that is term OF which
employers thoroughly understand the value
Of
There is also 4 Catholic church in the
town. The company presented the ground,
on which the priests erected a modest build
ing. Their congregation is small, but the
priest is also doing good in his way, and
better workmen are the result.
The policy OF Armstrong county Judges Q
few wears ago in re using to grant liquor
licenses was one of the chief things that de-
cided the venerable Captain Ford to pur.
chase two farms from Messrs. Graft and
Montgomery, below Kittanning, and build
the town which this article is describing.
Temperance Controlling Factor.
He argued that the company would have
less trouble with their workmen in a nlacf
where liquor could not be had He believed
they would do better work, and use theil
own salaries to better advantage where
there was not the temptation to loaf il
saloons.
In the course of time, as the society in
Ford City developed, means were invented
by some of the people 20 get their stimu.
lants. Beer clubs were organized, and fol
a time they smuggled into the town all the
liquor they wanted. The plate glass com
pany declared war on these clubs and by
refusing to rent them buildings gradually
reduced their membership. Three months
ago President Edward Ford gave notice tt
the last remaining beer club that unles
they disbanded within three DAYS the build
ing they occupied would be torn down owe
their heads. They disbanded, and nov
there is no liquor at all in Ford City. Ii
the Opera House Bowling Alley and Gym
nasium there is no poolroom or bar.
The company donated the school houst
also TO the township on condition that schoo
should be taught there nine and ten months
instead OF six months, as usual in the coun
try.
Living is Very Cheap There.
The reading room is fairly well patron
iEed, and altogether the spiritual and educa
tIonal demands of society have not been neg
lected by great corporation, as they 81
often are. The people of Ford City livt
well. That fact very forcibly impressed tn,
writer, The best OF meat sells at from 5 Il
10 cents per pound, and il is said that be
fore the company would rent the butcher
store room they made him agree to sell mea
at prices no higher, but somewhat lowe
than prices at Kittanning. Nearly all thu
workmen have meat two and three times :
day. Produce, groceries and clothing sell
equally cheap. The general store is oper
sted BY individual capital, though the mer