Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-31
LOEFFLER'S LETTER.
His Circular to the Window Glass
Workers Made Public.
PRODUCT SHOULD BE INCREASED
Prices Must Be Lowered to Compete With
Foreign Stuff.
NO MONEY IN THE GLASS BUSINESS

During the recent convention Of the dele
gates to the American Window Glass w ork-
ers' Association in the Southside Turner
Hall, q communication was presented by
William Loefler advocating certain changes
in the rules Of organization wherein the
wages of the men would be increased by
adding to the production.
It has been customary for several years
past at local and national gatherings Of the
Window Glass Workers to receive similar
communication from Mr.. Loefaer all of
which have been given due consideration.
AT the last convention however, his letter
was laid upon the table and no action taken
upon it. It was not made public and is still
in the hands of William E. Springer, the
National Secretary. Ever since the con-
vention pressure has been brought to bear
upon Mr.. Loeffler to give out the letter he
sent to the Window Glass Works and last
evening he consented.
The letter begins with greeting to the
delegates to the convention. The writer
then states that since the last advance was
paid, which increased the price of glass, the
manufacturers have been unable to operate
ten months in the year, and that at least
five reductions have been made in Belgium
since that time, although the Mckinley bill
did not increase the tariff on window glass
excepting small advance on sizes, 24136.
Eject Of Foreign Comp pstitIon.
The paper then goes on to state that for
eign glass can be imported and laid down in
New York as cheap as the average cost Of
glass in this country. That double. espec-
tally, and extra large sizes in particular can
be imported extremely low. Owing to such
low price all the large jobbers buy foreign
glass Of extra large sizes, and plate glass is
taking tho place Of large double to great
extent The delegates therefore should be
impressed with the fact that while single
blowers are making high wages that
double blowers are earning much higher
wages, and If reduction is
made that the largest reduction
should be made on the wages of the double
blowers, but which can be equalized if
double blowers are permitted to make
80 boxes weekly.
The letter then states: delegates should
know that in the wages conference of last
year the manufacturers asked for reduc-
tion, and agreed to pay expenses of work.
ers' committee to visit New York, Chicago,
etc, to prove the low price of foreign glass,
but the proposition was declined. They
ought to know that at the same conference
the manufacturers demanded to be relieved
of the payment of any part of the wages of
the snapper of the big blower, but the
manufacturers were informed it was un-
necessary to include it in the settlement, be-
cause L. A. 800 never fixed wages of snap
pers, and therefore they would not inter-
fere if the manufacturers refused to
pay it, and yet after the manufacturers
started, L. A. 800 forced payment to be
made by the manufacturers. All should
know that the workers had 1t pretty much
their own way, but as result no manu-
facturer started before October 2, 1891, and
many did not commence before October 20.
and throughout the entire year about 400
pots were idle.
No Money In tho Glass Business.
'These pots would not remain idle, and the
rest, both pot and tank furnaces, only operate
eight to nine months if there was money in
the glass business. The failure of
untary discontinuance of business
of three concerns tells its own story.
An exceptional fairly successful manu-
facturer is not evidence of profit in the
business, nor is the fact that some manu-
facturers are enlarging their plants evidence
OF prosperity, because it is done in the hope
of cheapening the product and to thus be
able to stand competition and to save from
loss the money already invested and which
cannot be withdrawn. Nor does the start
ing of new factories indicate prosperity,
because some are started because they re-
ceive money bonus and land and fuel free,
ovl xhne oSo nj vrif fho, al, lun
display hopefulness worthy Of a better
cause.
'The imports figure up abont 1,200, 900
boxes of 30 feet, yearly, which is a disgrace
to the American manufacturers and work.
ers, and both should unite, determined to
keep out foreign glass by low price of
American, and by making q better quality
and enforcing . higher standard in every
factory, in asserting, SO that the picture,
show case and coffin trade, ETC., will feel
justified in using American glass exclusive
ly. 1t is not sufficient for a dozen factories
to mako glass equal to imported; every
The cost of American glass must be reduced
in every possible way, and by the adoption
of the latest methods, when proven a sue
sess and when same is not at the expense of
quality, but in this reduction Of cost the
workers must be willing to stand their share
to successfully compete with foreign glass.
How PirtsburE Is Affected.
1.-THE blowers of r. G. Schmertz & Co.
Gimited) average II cents per box single |
and 81. 81 per box double, which is equal to
$34 08 per week for single and $54. 30 per
week double, if the blowers make 48 boxes |
single or 80 boxes double in blowings |
per week of hours each, and this is sup |
posed to be about the average per box made |
in other successful factories. 1t is an in |
Justice to manufacturers in Pittsburg and |
the West to permit blowers to work for 10 per |
cent lower wages in New Jersey and New
York States, especially as about one-third |
Of their glass is sold in the West The man
ufacturers prefer to employ none others
than members of the Workers Union, but |
said organization must supply sufficient
number of sk!Iled workmen who are sober
and Industrious otherwise manufacturers
must employ non-union men,"