Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-16
TAKEN FROM THE RECORD.
steuOgrnphIc ExtrRcts From the Testimony
Judges Charge In Full.

stenOgrRphic Extracts Prom the Testimony
Judges Charge In Full.
The testimony Of James A. Chambers,
taken from the stenographic report, is as
follows:
reside in Allegheny City: am President OF
the Chambers q Mckee Glass Company, and
am one Of the defendants in this suit. Our
works for the manufacture of window glass are
located at Jeanette. We use what is called
the continuous tank process We have about
l20 glassblOwers employed. Our works were
started In May, 1889. Prior to that time
was manufacturing glass in Pitts
burg. We are employing men all the
time. They come from all over the country in
every direction. IL takes 700 to 800 men to
operate our tanks at Jeanette. During the
spring Of 1859 we took on about 40 skilled work
men. Most Of them came from Sunderland
England. They all work piece work-so much
box for certain sizes. Any glassblower can
make S. or SO a day. / don't suppose there are
dozen window glass workers in this country
that are not members of the Glass Workers
Federation. About six months prior TO the
time Of commencing operations at Jennnette
had conversation with Mr. Campbell. That
talk WINS merely 70 know what position the
window glass workers would take II we
undertook 90 build those tank furnaces
at Jcannottc. IL naturally involved an
expenditure OF large amount Of money
Tho tanks that we nHo In this new process are
very expensive. We have expended up there
close 10 n million dollars on our works My
idea was 30 put up the fnost works in tho
world, and believe we have tho finest window
glass works In any country.
WHAT COMMENCED THE TALK.
hoard considerable discussion among the
workmon raising objections 20 thoso tanks.
Thoy kaid tho tank process meant oyer.produo.
tion. and ovor-produotion meant lowering Of
wages, and asked Mr.. Campbell what position
their people were going 10 take II we built
these tanks, and whether their organization
would refuse 10 have their workmen work at
the furnacuk.
The ordinary process for making window
glass Is 10 make IL Ia crucibles, which are put
IN the furnaces, and then the glass made of
sand. soda-ash. etc, n tlled into the Dots and
goes through melting process, which takes
about "a hours 90 melt the sand into glass
which Is then gathered ana blown into a cyl.
inder In this way we get five blowings q
week.
by the continuous tank process VIC have one
largo furnace about 100 feet long and about %
ieet wide. The batcn Is put into the furnace
az the back end and travels slowly down
the furnace until IL comes to tho
other end, l30 feet from where It is nut
In. BY this timo it is melted and in
condition TO blow and gather. by this process
we are constantly filling In at one end, aud as
continuously gathering and blowing at the
other. A new shift OF men is put on every eight
hours, except Sundays. The work with the new
process Is much the same as In the old.
MR.. cAMPBELL's IMPRESSIONS.
In my conversation with Mr.. Campbell he said
70 me that while he had no authority to speak
on the subject he did not believe the window
glass workers were going to put themselves in
opposition TO this Improvement: that he be-
ieved the tank process was all right, and that
when the time came he did not believe the men
would refuse to work under this system. The
window glass workers organization is
strong and formidable and wanted TO know
what KIND OF an undertaking we were going
into. what to expect II they we're going to OPP
pose THIS thing would likely have q pretty
long and hard fight, and that was something
uldn,t want. had enough to do in putting up
my furnaces In this conversation with Mr..
campbell had no definite understanding as
70 the employment OF men. subsequently, i
had another conversation with him iffwhich
tnld hlm how we were getting along and asked
MIN 10 state 10 his people that We wanted to
employ men here, ana Mr. Campbell replied all
rlGnL Will notify my people through our pre-
oeptorS IN TACT, wrote letter to the organ
izatioh and understood that Mr. Campbell
was TO let his people know that we wanted
men. We procured 4 great many men, but
nathlng Ike as manya as we wanted We also
advertised In the papers. Amune otherp.
the Gtdssi0orker and COmmoner. which Is
taken pretty largely by glassworkers 1 had
several conversations with Mr.. Canpbeli.
told him we were in need Of men,
and must have men, and he replied
I'VE WI see that you get them" de al. |