Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1909-07-29
A CRISIS IN GLASS TRADE.

Atlantic City, July 81. 27.-Prohibition,
which has cut deeply into the demand
for beer and whisky bottles through a
large section of the Middle West and
South, will be one of the reasons as
signed by manufacturers representa-
tives for opposing an increase of pay
for thousands of bottle blowers in the
coming year.
With every indication that exceeding
care will be necessary to avert strife in
the glass trade, members of the Ma
tional Association of Glass Bottle and
Vial Manufacturers went into secret
conference to-day with committee of
the Glass Bottle Blowers Association
of America, intent upon resorting too
every practical expedient to head off
a clash that would involve Is, 600
skilled blowers, comprising one of the
most powerful labor unions in the
country.
Aside from the losses felt from the
wave of prohibition sweeping many
states, the factory owners maintain
that they have not fully recovered from
the financial depression of more than a
year ago. 1t is also insisted that per-
fection of automatic bottle blowing
machines has forced competition that
prevents any concessions in wage in
creases, and demands the most rigorous
kind of management to avert heavy
losses
In return the blowers maintain that
the growing demand for glassware has
more than overcome the slump in
drink receptacles. They will fight to
the last ditch before acquiescing in the
further cut in pay proposed by the
manufacturers.
1--WE know that the recent financial
panic has drawn attention of employers
to the inroads OF machines, and we
also know that the demand for beer
and whiskey bottles has fallen off ire
mendously before the wave of prohibi.
tion, B" declared President Dennis Hayes
tonight. ''We believe, however, that
the manufactures who employ skilled
blowers are needlessly scared in zee of
the fact that there is known -ev-tt
in demand for every other sort of
bottle, and also that the machines in
use at present can furnish but very
small percentage of the ware needed to
supply the country"
Despite the prospects of strife over
wages. Mr.. Hayes appeared optimistic
over the outcome. "Our relations with
the manufacturers have been most
cordial for years." he said. and we
shall certainly use every effort to reach
conclusion that will satisfy 10th
sides. Our men believe that the pres
ent reduction demand is unreasonable
in face of present bettering trade con-
| ditions, and we shall do everything
possible to prevent trouble that would
mean disaster to both employers and
| men,
The conference will last throughout
this week, and another conference with
owners of factories where skilled labor
is employed on glass blowing machines
| will be held next week.
The union men at.the meeting.with
President Hayes are John A. Voll. of
GAINESVILLE, o.; Harry Jenkins, Alton,
Ill. Patrick E. Whalen, Montreal; j.
E. Daily, Columbus; Frank Williams
Baltimore; James Maloney. Allentown.
Pa. /; Nathan Clifford, Millville, N. J. /;
L. W. Prophater, Pittsburg, and B. j.
McMahon, Milwaukee.
In the manufacturers committee are
Chairman George W. Yost, Belaire,
o.; George Bacon. the Whitall- Tatum
Company, Millville; George NJ. Lewis,
Alton; L. s. Stoehr, Chicago; S. B.
Garwood, Williamstown, N. j.; John
Rau. Indianapolis; William Baker,
Poughkeepsie; G. J. Root and L. L.
Turner, Terre Haute, and James Nor
riSOn Tarentum Pa