Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-16

Outside parties who have closely OBJ
served the drift of affairs among the
glass manufacturers of the country
during the past few weeks have re-
allied that there is a movemen on
foot which, if matured, will eclipse
any thing of the kind ever before at
tempted in the history of the industry.
Within the last day or two, inklings
of certain plans and intentions have
come to the surface, and rumOr is rife
as to what will be the next develop
ment. Yesterday a representative OF
the Register became in touch with a
gentleman whose business interests
bring him into intimate association
with the powers behind the gigantic
movement, and from him was secured
a pretty clear outline Of what is being
contemplated, and what may with reas-
enable assurance be expected to re-
suit. At present details are not OBJ
tainable, if indeed they have at all
been formulated, but as to the general
lines upon which the project is based
there seems to be little doubt. The
supposed promoters Of the enterprise
are giving out no information, and
when approached maintain an impen-
etrable r%eticence.
The facts as they appear to-day re-
foot a oonnro1 continent o,,,opc tho
glass manufacturers of the United
States favorable to consolidation.
There are and have existed for a num-
Der of years divers trusts for the pur-
pose of controlling the output in GER
tain lines and other combinations to
regulate prices, but the deal now said
to be on is in scope further reaching
by far. 1t purposes to centralize, I'M
der one head, and control all the glass
plants of the United States and Canada
to be known as the International
Glass Company. At first, it is claimed
it was only intended to take into the
consolidation the factories of the
United States, but the proximity of the
Canadian glass makers and the COM
paratively small differential in the
way of tariff duties and freight tariffs,
made the expansion of the original
plan imperative in order to be effective.
There are now the United States
Glass Company, which practically
m~OnOpolizes the table ware output; the
Window Glass Trust, the American
Bottle Manufacturers Association, and
half a score of lesser combinations
duly incorporated or subject to selling
agreements. There are, however, quite
a number of Independent manufacture
ers who have never been identified
with any of the aforementioned syn
dictates, and it shall be the first object
to enlist them in the movement now
on foot. So far as the consolidated in
terests are concerned, their option has
already been secured and all remain
ing to be done is to assure them of an
equitable participation in the new COM
pany.
IN the foregoing is found an explain
alton of the present attempt to secure
control of the Crystal glass works, at
West Wheeling, and the phenomenal
advance of Crystal stock from $50 par
value, to sos or $40 within the past
week. The t~entacles of the stupendOus
combine, it will thus be seen, have
already touched this part of the valley
and are feeling the owners of glass
property with the view of ultimate pos
session.
An interesting part of the story
locally, is the association of names of
prominent glass manufacturers of this
vicinity with those of the OriginatOrs,
and leading promoters of the scheme.
Mr.. F. J. Parke of the North Wheel
ing bottle works, and Mr.. George w.
YOst, of the Bellaire bottle works, are
said to be prime factors in the move
ment, and have been assigned to look
after the organization of the trust
west Of the Alleghenies. Rumor also
has it that they are booked for high
positions if the trust is consummated.
Secretary Ed. Muhleman, of the
Crystal, has it, is also one OF
the leading spirits. His eminently
successful record as manager of the
West Virginia glass works at Martins
Ferry, and later as secretary of the
Crystal, would certainly make him a
likely person to aid in the perfection
of such a project.
1t is understood the new company
is to be placed under a board of control
in which will be a representative of
all the leading branches of the indus
try, and that such representatives
shall have superintendent of their
particular department. For instance,
the member of the board representing
the window glass branch shall super
intend all factories producing that
article, and so on throughout all the
different lines S11ch as table ware har
goods, bottles, &c.
Besides the Crystal, the West Vir-
ginia, at Martins Ferry, the Fostoria.
at Moundsville, the North Wheeling
Bottle Works, Bellaire Bottle Works,
and the factories of the United States
Glass Company, in Wheeling and
other Independent factaries in addition
to those first named, are placed in the
list of those which may ultimately
pass under control of the Inter-Nat-
ional Glass Company.
The recent attempt to consolidate
the bottle manufacturing interests of
tba oO11ntuv- &c pAu ,Yplo-eNANd - how