Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-11
HAS TO BE DOUBLED.
The Plate Glass Plant at Ford City to
be Greatly Increased,
AT A COST OF AT LEAST sl,75O, 1000.
American Plate Glass Manufacturers lear
Behind Orders.
A MOVE FOB A pRoHlBITORY TARIFF

The Ford City Plate Glass Company, now
the largest in the world, evidently believes
in maintaining its supremacy, both in this
country and in the Old World, by the policy
of outrivaling all rivals. The expenditure
of s.. 75O, 900, in duplicating its present i'm
mense plant, is expected to cast in the shade
the younger plate glass cities, Charleroi and
Streator, I'll. In the latter place will be To-
Gated the plate glass mandatory at the
head Of which is Colonel A. L. Conger, of
Akron, O., late Republican Chairman of
the Buckeye State.
The announcement that Ford City will
double its plant creates some surprise, in
view of the recent expressions by plate glass
experts in regard to the possibility of over.
production of the commodity. The project
ing of Charleroi seems to have called forth
plans of a similar character.
PERFECT IN ALL PARTICULARS.
Ford City has paid handsome profits, and
has undergone constant improvement in the
matter of minor details, until it is now credited
with being perfect in every particular The
experience devoted to improving the present
plant will be of use in the construction of the
new factory.
1t is learned that the decision to double the
concern was arrived at upward of two weeks
since Plans are now nearly ready for the
huge buildings. and work is to begin within
fortnight. The ground to be occupied adjoins
the present buildings, and the same advantages
of fuel, sand, etc., that played SO important
part in the determination OF the original loca-
tion. are expected to be brought into use i'll the
expansion. 1t is hoped to get the annex into
operation by the first of May. 1891.
The company's representatives in Plttsourg
refuse to make any comments upon the matter.
representative of the Charleroi Plate Glass
Company was seen, and conversed freely as to
the outlook "The increase in the Ford City
plant has been known to us for some time"
said he, "and the only effect it has had upon
she Charleroi Company has been to cause our
original plans to have nine buildings covering
the largest plate glass factory in the world will
be adhered to without change.
A STRONG ARGUMENT.
'The fact that Ford City is to double Its plant
is the strongest argument possible in favor of
Charleroi as an investment. The American
market is growing with such phenomenal
rapidity that existing factories are nearly
year behind orders, and the chances are in
favor of a constantly growing demand.
should the American plate glass interests
do what is now actively canvassed as an i'm
mediate necessity, American plate glass will be
at a still higher premium. l understand that
the Ways and Means Committee of Congress is
TO be urged to place the tariff on plate glass at
an almost prohibitory figure. The French and
Belgian glassmen are cutting prices continual
ly. with view to retaining their share of the
American market but the excellent quality
and skilltul handling of the American product
have had the effect of avoiding cut-rate war,
and yet gradually shading the foreign article.
las Drexel, Morgan & Co., DIR. Built and ex.
Congressman Grouse, the principal hackers OF
Charleroi, have unlimited means, there is no
doubt about Charleroi being ready to make
glass by next October. 1t is guaranteed by Mr..
Hartupee the engineer and DR.. Chandler, the
superintendent that Charleroi will be in run
ming order before any other competitor can
divert the trade TO new source. There is only
one large firm in the country manufacturing
machinery for plate glass manufacturing-the
St. Douis house now at work on the S350, 600
Charleroi-and any other mandatory will
have to wait until our contract is completed"
GOING INTO A POOL.
1t is stated that Colonel Conger's company
has concluded pooling arrangement with the
Belgian syndicate which offered Charleroi such
favorable terms when the latter company was
in process of formation. The Belgans wanted
to virtually transplant their factories and men
to Charleroi. DR.. Chandler, of Charleroi. states
that the number of skilled workmen necessary
in a plant, even of large proportions, Is
surprisingly small, owing to tine amount
of automatic machinery which can
be made use of in polishing the product.
of their superior intelligence be easily inducted
into the necessary knowledge. The tinting
and melting and the composition of the mate
rials are secret processes which are only known
to a few, and the services of that class of men
are in great demand. But it is expected that
partment bosses, and the longest purses will 60
the furthest, SO far as employees are concerned