Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-06
HIGHER PRICES LOOKED FOR.
How the Limited Stock of Window Glass
Will Affect the Trade.


The window glass factories are not re-
suming operations very rapidly. Only two
houses on the Southside are in operation so
far, and the prediction made in these
columns a few days ago that many of
them would not resume before October Is will
be fulfilled. Indeed it was reported yes
terday that some houses may not make any
glass this fire. There is considerable con-
lecture as to the future price of window
glass. The firm of r. c. Schmertz & Co., has
just issued circular to the trade in which
last two mouths are much less than for the
same period last year, and the stock
of American glass in the hands of
manufacturers is about 100000 boxes less
than it was year ago. The price fixed by
the manufacturers at the Columbus meeting
is considered by many as too low, but
meeting called for October can correct this
matter" The general impression is that
the matter will be corrected and that
higher prices may be looked for. None
of the manufacturers have much glass to
sell and it will be an easy matter for them
TO command higher prices when the
factories do resume. Mr.. Loef1ler said
yesterday it was hardly fair TO say that
manufacturers had no glass to sell. as many
of them are taking very large orders right
along, but he admitted that some of them
would not be filled until after the houses
start up.
Thomas Bodine, of Cohansey, President of
the National Association of Window Glass
Manufacturers, is stopping at the Duquesne.
lie is here to exchange views with local
manufacturers OH trade matters. Speaking
yesterday of the trade outlook he said
the prospects are not encouraging. Prices
ruled low, and the American maker of glass
had to compete with the foreign glass which
is today quoted at lower prices to the i'm
porter tnan ever before.
But the main factor in keeping down
prices" said Mr.. Bodine, ''is overproductiOn.
There is too much glass being made here.
That is to say, there is too much being made
portation. m If All ali the ' factories act e in the the
country were to run full they would about
supply the American trade if the foreigners
were shut out. As conditions rule to-day it
is the worker who reaps the reward. The
demand for workers keeps up the price of
labor, while overproduction keeps down
the profits of the manufacturers. If the
manufacturers could perfect an organiza-
tion complete as the workers have
effected theirs, they might adjust conditions
more favorable to themselves than those
existing. As it is, manufacturers are divided
among themselves and have to meet the
competition from abroad. The foreign
makers reduced the cost of labor and of
material to suit the eNigencies of the tariff,
and are now not alone placing glass on the
American market at n figure lower than be-
fore, but are producing an article that is
superior to ours. That is because there is
more care taken in making it. Our men
earn Such nlgn wages at sucn little eXpendl-
ture of labor as to make them careless.
Take the difference in the hours ruling here
and abroad: the foreigners work from IL to
II hours and every day In the week;
until Sunday at midnight. The high wages
earned by American workers is due to Or
ganiZation. l don't find fault with an or
ganiZation which will produce this result.
The truth is that the manufacturers cannot
coalesce with the same object: that of gain
ing q fair return for their labor.
And while the present conditions re-
nam, the lorteagner reg @ making liSi better ana
ton on the American market, while the
American manufacturer, paying three times
the amount in wages is beaten on his own
this year; that is twice as many as ten years
ago, while the demands for glass are
not at all proportionately Increased.