Bridgeton pioneer., 1893-09-07
SALEM'S GLASS INDUSTRIES.
Good Prospects Ahead for Manu-.
1acturers and WOrkmen.

T8CEUEGfS ana WOEAmems
SALEM, Sept Glass manufactur-
ing Is one of the main industries of this
city, and hundreds of families are de.
pendent upon it for their daily bread {.
Consequently the news that the factor
les Cor some of them) were soon to be
put in operation was hailed with joy
In many households. During the last
long strike, several years ago, business
was stagnant, and many families
actually suffered for the necessaries of
life. Although as rule the
glassblowers are among the most re-
spected and respectable citizens (many
of them owing their own homes and
having comfortable bank account
besides, as In all other classes of citi-
zens), there are many that are improvi-
dent, and in spite of the large average
wages they earn, never save enough to
last over the Summer vacation. Thus,
while "the fire is out" they are gener.
ally out of money. The vacation COM
prises the months of July and August.
The sire" goes in, unless there is dis
agreement on the wage question or
overproduction, about September /.
1t was predicted this year that there
would be strike, and when 1t was as
certained that things were in good
shape and tine works would be started
on time matters assumed a brighter
look on all sides. Not only the work.
men but the business men smiled.
The factories here all manufacture
hollow ware-such as bottles, fruit,
jars, etc-and the largest establish
ment Is owned and operated by
Craven & Brother. This firm employs
when in full operation, 1875 glass
blowers, which, with gatherers and
all other assistants, including yard la
borers etc., runs the total number of
employees up to nearly SEQ. They
manufacture bottles for many of the
leading patent medicine firms In the
United States; while during the past
season they shipped thousands of
gross of their ware to England, the
principal part being the well-known
Worcestershire sauce bottles. This
seems rather like carrying Goals to
Newcastle in the face of pauper labor
of Europe. Craven & Brother have
an extensive plant, covering nearly
twenty acres, and embracing four fur
naces, with twenty-one pots, and one
day tank, with six rings.
A portion of their works will start
up on Monday, including one five-pot
furnace, and the tank, This will give
employment to over one hundred men
and boys. 1t is probable, although
business secrets are guarded, that the
works will be in blast at their full
capacity before October 1st.
The Alva Glass Manufacturing Com.
pany Limited, started fire in their five
pot furnace some days ago, and will
probably commence blowing next
week. They employ thirty glass
blowers; the whole force numbering
about $50 persons.
The factory of John Gayner, a non
union establishment, is idle, with no
prospect of starting soon. Over pro.
duction is the cause of the stoppage
in this factory, whose main produc-
tion Is fruit jars. Although this is es-
sentially fruit year." it seems that
the market is overstocked with jars.
The waresheds of the. factory, are filled
with thousands of crates, containing
tens of thousands of jars, and until
the stock is materially reduced there
Is poor prospect for 1t to go into
operation. The plant consists of one
four-pot furnace and one nine.ring
tank. When In full blast employ
ment is given to about $50 hands.
Thus it will be seen that the glass
industry is an important one in Salem,
giving employment to nearly 1000 men
and boys, and benefitting to greater
or lees degree the community In gen.
eral. When the factories are all run.
ming 1t helps all branches of trade,
while shutdown is severely felt, not
only by those directly interested, but
by all with whom they have dealings,
Prospects look fairly good at present,
and the merchant has a yard wide
smile. Glass, while being very fragile,
is one of the props of the city. Work
for the glass workers means prosperity
for the merchant and his dependents
This is the reason they smile at the
present good prospects.
The Difference.
1t Is rumored that Charles Payne is