Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-11-01
POPULAR SENTIMENT
IS VERY MUCH m Favor OF REWTNs TIE
LOCAL GLASS INDUSTRY.
There Will Likely be Little Trouble in es.dng III
Necessary Capital TO Start 0ns or
Two Glass Factories.

Sunday morning the REGISTER re-
lated the general disposition In glass
manufacturing towns and In glass cir
cles generally outside the limits and in
iuence OF the o. s. Company, to buy,
build or start factories to be operated
upon an independent basis, and which
would catch q share Of the lively de-
mand for glass at present existing upon
a depleted market, and in the same is
sue was narrated the endeavor being
made ct Martins Ferry TO organize a
Dew company there. Monday morning
the efforts making on the South Side TO
organize a company to purchase the old
Hobbs plant, or, If that was impossible,
to build new works, was referred to.
This endeavor is still going on, and on
top of 1t comes the pleasing information
that like effort is taking root up town,
and it may be that before long. when mat
ters have taken q little more definite
shape, negotiations will be set on foot
by a number OF Wheeiing's old time
glass manufacturers for the purchase
OF both the old tableware factories, and
companies organized to set them run
ming again Ia the good old way.
From the outset OF the presents
trouble, inaugurated by the United
States Glass Company, and even ss
long ago at the beginning Of the
present year, there were indications
that the company would abandon its
Wheeling factories, as well as those In
several other towns, and concentrate Its
plants ia the vicinity OF Pittsburgh.
Since the declaration OF the strike the
abandonment of the local factories has
became certainty, and now the U. 5.
Company Is removing some of its most
costly machinery from the old Central
factory, indicating that the plant is to
be boarded up and abandoned st an
early date. This fact has given fresh
impetus to talk Of repurchasing the city
plants with local capital and starting
them up again aud number Of gentle
men are moving energetically in the
matter, while call may be issued for a
meeting OF the Chamber of Commerce,
that the influence OF that organization
may be secured towards the desired
end.
Hon. n. B. Scott, lately the Presi-
dent of the Central Glass Company, was
seen yesterday, and said he was very
much in favor OF restoring Weddings
old prestige as a glass manufacturing
town. He thought the time was an au-
spcious one for making a move in that
direction, and was one OF those who
thought il not quite the thing to let
this important branch OF manufsctur-
ing drift away from Wheeling.
"But can the local factories be pur-
chased?" enquired the reporter.
~ think so. President Baguley Of
the U. s. Company, said same time ago,
they would sell one OF the factories, but
later he has said he would not sell one
without selling both. That seems to
clear the ground for operations"
Now do those formerly interested In
glass manufacturing here view the mat
ter?"
VERY fsvorably. I think many
worknen would take stock in such a
factory. have heard from Mr.. Mike
Owens, now manager Of the Libby
Glass company, that he for one would
be willing to come back to Wheeling,
take stock in local factory, and 60 TO
work to build up the business here
again. That is patriotic resolve, aud
/ think his example would be initiated
by great many"
Mr.. Henry Schmulbach is understood
to be very much in favor Of such q
move, and Mr.. Brockunler Is also dis
posed to look with favor upon a move
meut to restore Wheeling to her old
place 10 the glass business, while rep
resentative workingmen are much taken
with the idea and can be depended upon
to lend their aid and encouragement TO
a plan having for its object the resump-
tion of work In Wheeling glass houses
upon a union basis:
Perhaps one OF the first things to be
done will oe the obtaining OF an option
from the q. S. Company for the Wheel
ing plants, and then the organization OF
company or companies will be the
next thing In order.