The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-24
NEW USES FOR GLASS.

Editor of THE TRIBUNE:
Dear Sir.-THE TRIBUNE of this date
contained quite lengthy interview from
one of the stockholders Of the Bonita Plate
Glass company. The point is we'll taken
by this stockholder, for the larger portion
Of the stock now issued is held by residents
Of Scranton and vicinity. 1t seems to me
that only few Of our stockholders realize
what a mammoth industry we have un
der our control. 1t ls less than twenty
years ago. when electrical force was looked
upon as dangerous only, and good thing
to let alone. Now millions upon millions
are employed IN drawing this subtle force
into harness for lighting and power, For
years past we have contented ourselves
using sand for bottles, tableware and
windows, little dreaming that sand so
plentiful could or would be called upon to
take, in a great measure in building, the
place of fine lumber. Our forests are
swept away, lumber Is becoming scarce.
while the demand for building is on the
| increase. All things seem TO come in the
regular order as wanted. Let us enumer-
ate some of the things for which glass may
be used, and serve us better purpose than
| lumber or stone.
First-Glass may be colored to suit any
fancy and its color will remain permanent
| Second-Colored glass is made as cheap
or cheaper than purely transparent glass.
Thirdly the Bonita process, glass may
be rolled into any shape desired and of al
| most any siZ5.
Fourth.-Glass can be produced in any
ornamental or plain style at less than one
| fourth the cost of marble or stone, and
cannot be dishgured with grease, paint or
| INK 1t may be rolled in thick slabs in
white. with plain surface, sawed into
blocks, finished up with sand blast, and
take the place Of brown stone or marble
slabs for outside walls OF buildings, and at
less than one-half the cost, and one hun
dred times more enduring. 1t may be
rolled into shape and make grave stones
far finer than can be made OF marbl 1t
will, above all, furnish substitu for
plastering and papering the sid, valls
You may have the side walls or ing Of
your house, every room different, hade of
white or colored glass; ornamented in any
manner you may desire, as cheap as you
could plaster, paper or paint, and damp
cloth will always keep it clean and avoid
house cleaning.
Glass is a non-absorbant and q non.con-
ductor. No dampness will penetrate the
house, and no fire of the ordinary house
will damage it. Foul matter or disease
germs will not attach to the glass walls,
floor or ceiling, spreading disease. Hos
pitfalls are already applying for our work,
and In the nature of things, but little
time will pass when we may all live in
glass houses.
There seems to be no more limit to the
use of glass than of lumber. Unlike stone
or marble, glass is warm, and whatever
the normal condition of the atmosphere
may be, glass will be the same. This COM
pany, being the parent company, from
which other companies will be started,
must obtain their license, it would seem,
without much study that Scrantonans
should hold on to the control. There is, in
my opinion, as much wealth to be acquired
in following up this enterprise as has been
made by the Standard Oil company in fol-
lowing their vocation. We have the
equipments for rank monopoly. We
want additional money and more energy.
That we shall have both is now only a
question of a few days j. w. BONITA.
SCRANTON, Pa, Aug. 90.