The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-11-16

PIrTsnun0H, Pa, Nov. 15.-Congress.
man John Dalzcll experienced mo.
mGnt OF inspiration yesterday. AS he
arose to address an immense outdoor
audience at Ford City, he hesitated
longer than his usual custom, and then
he said imprcssively:
"Wc meet to-day for purpose as re-
markable as it Is significant. We meet
to unvcil the statue OF man. tho story
OF whose life and work Is characteristic
ally American. He is neither states.
man, orator, man Of letters or military
chicitan. He bears no lofty titles,
wears no decorations, claims no other
place than that belonging 10 plain
American citizen. Nor is he man OF
the past receiving tardy posthumous
honors."
Mr.. Dalzell paused. The spirit Of the
strange spectacle that Ford City pre-
scented tins day seemed to suddenly
overwhcm him, and with rising voice,
upliftcd arm and flashing eye, the
Perhaps the strangcst feature OF all
in this unique drama is the relation
that exists between tho honoring and
the honorcd. Three thousand Ameri-
can workmen would here dedicate to
perpetual rcmcmbrauces the name and
the fame OF their employer. Well-paid
labor stands with uncovered head to
honor just and generous capital.
Hero" and the orator hestatcd once
more, as ii the echo OF the last sentence
from the hills across the Allegheny
river would better help his hearers
realize the majesty OF the scenc-"hcre
are no frownln: faces, nor Clenchcd
fists, but RI her hands claspcd upon
the even plane oil common manhood"
AN OCCASION OF pEEr SIGNIFICANCE.
The deeper significance OF the occa-
sion appeared to burst upon the peo-
pie at this iuncture, and murmur OF
appreciation went over the vast con-
course there gathered on the green,
which broke into aroar OF applause that
drowned the speakers voice for mo-
mcnt.
Without doubt labor and capital had
nowhere OH the American continent
ever made such marked dcmonstra-
ton OF friendship rs this was. For six
months past the 5000 workmcn OF the
Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company have
been subscribing small sums OF money
among themselves for the pur-
pose OF rearing monument in
honor OF Captain J. B. Ford, the
founder OF the company which
employs them. This venerable man
was the originator OF the plate glass
industry in America, and it was de-
signed to honor his eightieth birthday
with the planting OF his form in impcr-
ishablc bronze upon the very soil he
bought and bcautitied for their homes.
The general plan adopted by tho work
men was to donate the proceeds OF one
days work to this fund The firm was
not consulted, and were not permitted
10 have any share in the arrangements
beyond being asked to entirely shut
down all three factories operated by
them on Saturday. This was done. The
three factories are at Creighton, Tarcn-
tum and Ford City. Special trains car
rled the workmen free from Creighton
and Tarcntum to Ford City, which wore
complete holiday attire.
An interesting procession was formed
by the workmen from all the factories,
the members OF the firm walking in the
ranks. Only one OF the proprietors,
Captain Ford, rode, and that only be-
cause OF his age. Many unique trans
parencies and banners were carried by
the men. ACTIONS Speak Louder Than
Words and 81. B. Ford is the kind OF
4 man who puts money into circula-
ton are samples Of these. One sim
pie inscription that touched many
hearts was that reading: "Wclcome
Friends. See Our Happy Homes"
CONGRESSMAN DALzELl's STORY.
Captain Ford and his aged wife sat
upon the platform with his sons,
daughters and grandchildren, and dis
tInguished guests gathered around
them. Hon. Henry Warner, formerly
superintendent OF the workhousc, and
now managing director OF Ford City,
had charge OF the exercises. Tho dra.
matte character OF his opening sem
fences was sustained throughout Con-
gresham Dalzel's address. 1t was in
tcnsely interesting. He told story OF
economic growth and progress in the
nations industry as he found it inter-
woven into the threads OF Captain
Fords eventiul life. He told how tho
Captain tried to establish the new in
dustry in the United States first at New
Albany, Ind, at Louisville and then Mt
Jacksonville, Ind, but how financial
ruin followed tho experiments at all
three places. The first dollar OF profit
ever made on plate glass inside this
country was only made when Captain
Ford commenced making the glass in
Allegheny county, Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Dalzell then adduced protective
lessons from this, which are OF national
interest. He said:
ESGLASD's DUTY on PLATE GLASS.
In 1865, when Captain Ford laid the
foundations OF the plate glass industry,
we were dependent for our supply upon
Belgium, England France and Ger
many, in all OF which countries its man
uiacture had the protection OF tariff
duties. AS early as 1911. in tho reign
OF Charles H., England imposed u duty
OF 81 20 per square foot OH plate glass;
this was increased in 1919 TO 81 60 per
square foot; ten years later, in 1929,
duties became regulated according to
the dimensions OF the glass, and ran
from 81 so per square foot ON glass less
than feet square, through the figures
S2pcr square foot and s. SIS per square
foot up to 3 10 per square foot on glass
exceeding SO feet square. Under
this fostering policy capital was