The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-28
SUBSTANTIAL INDUSTRY,
Finest Cut Glass Being Manufactur-
ed in Scranton-A Few Words Dis
criptive Of The Scranton Cut Glass
Company's Plant and Product.

Some of the finest cut glass produced
in this country is the product of a
Scranton industry. This fact is not
generally known locally, but such Is the
case nevertheless.
In the month of August, 1900 the
we'll known firm of Clark & Co., manu-
facturers of fine cut glass with fac
tories at Honesdale and Hawley, took
possession Of the large brick building
at No. 1920 to 1880 inclusive, North
Washington avenue-formerly used as
Il car barn and repair shop by the
Scranton Railway company - and
equipped it with the most modern and
production of fine cut glass. The es-
tablishing of this industry brought to
our city at that time about thirty skill
ed and we'll paid mechanics, about
twenty of whom were married and
brought their families with them. This
importation of labor was absolutely
necessary, their being no glass cutters
here at that time.
The Scranton Cut Glass company
the name by which Clark & company's
local branch is known-was successful
from the start and today fully twice
|
ployed. The manufacture of cut glass
goods requires skilled mechanics Of the
highest order, which places this concern
in the foremost rank with Scranton's S
most substantial industries.
The product Of the factory is princi-
pally fine table cut glass which is sold
to retail dealers by the company's trav-
cling men from Maine to California.
II, in, hn n.
tion of cut glass is interesting to the
extreme: The designes after being
drawn by the designers and approved
are retraced upon the plain glass arti-
Gle known as the "blank" with red
liquid resembling paint. The article is
then taken in hand by the "rougher"
and goes through the first process of
cutting over the lines marked out. This
first cutting is done upon a steel disk
which revolves upon a shaft in front
of the operator and is called trough
ing" as only the coarser or rough cut
ting is done at this stage. From the
hands of the "rougher" the article
passes to the smoother" who smoothes
out all the cuts made by the "rougher"
with the aid of Craig stone" wheel.
The "smoother" also does the fine deli
stone. The cutting completed it is TAX
en- to the polishing department and
"wooded," which is the term used for
the first process of polishing on account
of the work being done upon revolving
wooden wheels running through pum-
ice and putty From the polishers the
article goes to the finishing room where
it is hand polished and from here it
oil eli tfnrtt Iri1l 10 ,opv
to be finally inspected and packed for
shipping. Not the least important of
the various operations through which
each piece must go is that of inspec-
ton. Every article must be most care
fully examined for the smallest scratch
or flaw as every piece must be absolute
ly perfect. This final inspecting Is done
by young women of much experience.
The local business end of the Scran-
ton Cut Glass company is in charge of
Mr.. F. E. Finerty who, though a young
man, has been connected with Clark &
company in the cut glass business for
several years. The foreman, Nh. II. A.
Baker, is also an old employe of Clark
G. Co., having been with them over fif-
teen years.
1t has been the custom of this COM
pany to close their factories for two
weeks in June or July in order that
their employees may enjoy vacation,
but owing to the large number of Or
ders ahead at this time the plants will
be closed but one week this summer,
next week being the time chosen for
the shut down.
To all those interested in the artistic
and beautiful, ii visit to The Scranton
Cut Glass company's factory will in
| ao.a ho 4, ,,ro traot ~