The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-15
WILL CLOSE ON MAY 20
AN ACTION THAT WILL THROW % 900
MEN OUT OF EMPLOYMENT.
Window-Glass manufacturers Com
bination Decides to Shut Down Its
Plant-Increased Prices.

The meeting of the glass manufacturers at
the Grand Hotel yesterday was of the
most important, commercially, that has been
held here for many days. The result of the
conference between the proprietors in the
Pittsburg Window-glass Association and the
Western Window-glass Association is an
agreement whereby all the factories Of both
associations close May 90 for an indefinite
period. This action means the throwing out
of work of about 22.000 workmen and the
stopping of 1.62S pots. In the Pittsburg as
ISOLATION there are sixteen factories and In
the Western forty-eight, majority of the
latter being in the Indiana gas belt The
weekly output of the factories of both as
sociations is estimated at 12O.SO2 boxes a
week.
The action of the glass men Is simply a
cold, business move. The manufacturers of
the associations have been holding frequent
meetings during the last few months, SO the
action Of yesterday came after a careful
consideration of the situation. 1t is said by
the manufacturers that the excessive output
and the poor market are alone responsible
for the stoppage of production. The larger
factories have large stocks on hand and all
concerns report that business has been very
dull. 1t is proposed to stop the production
and increase the demand, raise In the scale
OF prices being part of the programme.
Oldest glass SINAI Manufacture IN the Country,
presided at the meeting or the two associa-
tons There was little difference of opinion
concerning the ACCESSIBILITY of stopping the
production. The two associations control
the output of the United States, and, having
no competition, they. can do as they see nit;
When time came for the consideration OF
the increase in the scale of prices, dispute
arose among the manufacturers. The meet,
ing of the afternoon did not adjourn until
after O'Clock and 1t came then in order to
put stop TO a spirited debate. The pro-
gramme provided for final adjournment
last night, but it was decided to meet again
this morning. when the matter Of prices will
be again considered and decided. The man
ufacturers are not all agreed on the prop
osition to Increase the prices. 1t Is reported
that many of the Indiana factories prefer
10 Keep them as they are, and begin again
when the supply of glass has been exhaust
ca: The larger concerns. however. are in
slSt1ng that there be material increase,
for these establishments are said 10 have
large quantities of glass IN stock. The re-
of an association is contemplated is denied.
The two associations co-operate-they have
a monopoly, and no more organization is
needed.
Concerning the time when business may be
expected to resume, the manufacturers could
not speak last evening. They said 1t might
m IN or as one
understood that there will be no resumption
or production until the present supply Is
gone and, of course, that depends on future
demands The glass men are very quiet
and reticent aggregation of men. After
talking with them ii is surprising that men
who absolutely know nothing of the business
in which they are engaged, should be able
to make success of IL. AT least half a
dozen OF the manufacturers denied being in
the glass business, while one gentleman
from down East stated that "the glass BUSH
ness was none of the public business
Among those present, there being about
thirty-fve in all, were: III. Sellers Mckee,
Nj. w. Watson, p. Sullivan, +. i. Phillips,
William Loaff1er, James w. Allison and j.
A Chambers, of Pittsburg: s. L. Bodine. of
Philadelphia w. K. Bodley, Wheeling, w.
Va; w. Stubs, East Liperpool, o., and j.
r. Cameron, of Chicago. There also
representatives here from factories in Koko-
mo, Muncie, Anderson, Gas City, Pendeton,
F'rankton and other towns of the gas belt
where there are glass factories.
A dispatch from Pittsburg says: The ac-
ton taken at the meeting of window-glass
manufacturers at Indianapolis in deciding
TO suspend operations in all factories on
May %, will affect only fifteen thousand en-
ployes, of which five thousand are skilled
workmen.. 1t has always been. the custom
account of the heat, the dispatch says. The
suspensions this year will begin one month
earlier than usual, but the glass workers
do not believe resumption will be postponed
after Sept. 1. This will be the second sus-
pension this year. Last winter the factor
les were closed for six weeks on account of
an overstocked market and the employees
were not expecting another vacation before
the 1st of July.