Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-26
Plate Glass Workers Throughout the
Country Form a National Trades
Assembly of 4. of L.
MACHIEISTS MATTERS YET MIXED.
The Company and the Employees Not in
Harmony on the Meaning Of the
Petition Presented.
GENERAL STRIKE AT THE EXPOSITION.
Complete Cessation Of Work Because Nou-UnOnists
Were Employed.

1ne next organization OF any one craft 10
spring into practical existence will be that
Of the plate glass workers of the country. In
several places, years ago, there were local
assemblies of the trade attached to the near
est district. This was the case in Ford City,
but owing to dissatisfaction with the meth
DDS of d. A. 8. to which it was attached, the
Ford City assembly surrendered Its charter.
Since that time the plate glass workers have
been unorganized. This has resulted in
a material change in the circumstances OF
the workers, who. instead of receiving from
SIS to $50 week, as in former times, have
been obliged to accept from IS to SO week.
For some time past an organizer has been
at work throughout the country, with the
result that a compact organization of the
trade has been established. The union will
be based on the principles Of the Window
Glass Workers Association, which, while
remaining an integral part of the Knights
of Labor, is arbiter OF its own destinies.
VIEWS OF THE ORGANIZER.
The organizing has been effected by Mr..
James L. Michaels, of New Albany, Ind,
a member of L. A. 800, and an old 'war
horse" of the Knights OF Labor. Regard
ing the necessity for organizing the trade at
this juncture, Mr.. Michael said yesterday:
'Every year that passes adds to the grow
ing importance of the plate glass business.
Where double strength window glass was
used plate glass is now taking its place. This
fact you will find in travelling through the
country, and observing that every year finds
the employment of plate glass in railroad
cars becomes more general. In view, then,
of the growing Importance of the trade it
was thought the time had arrived for an
effective organization of the workers of the
glass. This has now been effected, and the
first convention will be held, very likely, in
New Albany sometime within the next two
weeks. The order will be affiliated with the
knights of Labor, but will be as indepen-
dent of it and have the same conduct of its
business as L. A. 800 has.
GROWTH OF THE TRADE.
''The plate glass trade in this country is
growing" continued Mr.. Michaels 1.-THE
factories which are now oFerating-in the
order in which they started-are at New
Albany, Ind.i Crystal City, Mo-; tine Ford
factories at Creighton, Tarentum and Ford
City; the Honard, at Duquesne; Chambers
factory at Butler, and Kokomo, Ind. The
new works starting up are at Irwin, Charlie
roi and Ellwood, 20 miles from Kokomo.
These new works will exceed the present
capacity. The number of workers in the
country is between 4, 900 and 5000"
Mr.. Michaels has reputation for oratorv
which old-time members of the order will
recall. He related with much gusto, his
adventures in organizing the men in one
factory, the land surrounding which was the
property Of the company. He established
himself as a member for a tobacco house in
'Tanglefoot," the appropriate name be-
slowed on a village consisting of saloon
and forge, in the vicinity, and operated
among the men from thence. The men are
now all organized, be says, and it only re-
mains now to hold Q convention, and estab-
lish headquarters and officers.