Cambridge History from News Articles

by Kurt Tostenson
Issue No. 244 - August 1993

GLASS HOUSE TO USE OIL
Contract made for New Installation at Once
Probably New Furnaces-Increases
[From The Weekly Republican Press and Weekly Guernsey Times
January 27, 1910

Another big contract, involving the expenditure of thousands of dollars, has been let by President A. J. Bennett, of the Cambridge Glass Co. This new expenditure, from $5000 to $7,000 is for the installation of apparatus for heating with oil.

With low pressure natural gas it is necessary that the local company, in order to make shipments of wares as agreed to, prepare for the use of other fuel. Accordingly, President Bennett, who has been in Pittsburg for the past several weeks, has contracted for oil installation. This new heating apparatus will be used only in emergency cases, but is expected to avoid delays in delivery.

The glory holes of the plant will be fitted with the oil apparatus, operated with compressed air, and also half of the finishing lehrs. This will enable the Finishing of ware without gas if necessary.

On account of the failure to secure gas at the Byesville plant, abandoned now for three years or more, it is being considered that the local plant be enlarged. One or two new furnaces may be installed, which will mean the expenditure of much money. also a considerable increase in employees.

It will be of interest to Cambridge to know that the business resulting from the annual exhibition of Cambridge ware at the Pittsburg showing has already increased 50 per cent over last year, and the exhibition will continue until the first of the coming month.

EMPLOYEES OF GLASS PLANT PLAN OUTING
The Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, Ohio
September 5, 1940

Employees of the Cambridge Glass Co. and their families will enjoy an all day outing Saturday at Korte's park, near Byesville, under the auspices of Local 502 of the A. F. G. W. U.

The plant will be closed that day and estimates are that over 500 persons will attend the event. A comprehensive program will be presented beginning in the morning at 10 o'clock. It will include softball games, contests for youths and adults, dancing and a basket dinner at noon.

The committee on arrangements is comprised of Grant Hill, Eliza Bennett, Helen Hosko, Bernadine Stiles, William Dodd and John Bennett.

GLASS WORKERS AND FAMILIES ENJOY ALL DAY OUTING-PICNIC
The Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, Ohio
Sept. 8, 1940

Employees of the Cambridge Glass Company and their families, numbering over 500 persons, enjoyed an all day outing Saturday at Korte's park, near Byesville, sponsored by Local 502, A.F.G.W.U.

The days festivities opened at 10 am. and continued through the afternoon and evening. The program was varied and of interest to youths and adults. It included games, contests and dancing, Basket dinners were served at noon and in the evening.

The prizes awarded winners of contests were donated by many business establishments in Cambridge and Byesville. Miss Helen Hosko had charge of the contests. The plant was shut down that day.

CAMBRIDGE GLASS CO. RE-ELECTS OFFICERS
The Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, Ohio
March 19, 1943

W. L. Orme was re-elected president and general manager, C. Roy Boyd was named vice president and treasurer, and W. McCartney chosen secretary and sales manager at the annual meeting of the Cambridge Glass Company, one of Cambridge's major industries Tuesday.

The annual stockholders meeting was held and the following directors were re-elected: W. L. Orme, Mrs. W. L. Orme, G. Roy Boyd, W. C. McCartney and Harold H. Burt. The organization meeting of the directors followed and officers were elected. But one change was made in the official personal of the company, C. Roy Boyd. who was formerly the treasurer, is now vice president and treasurer.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FEATURES CAMBRIDGE GLASS CO. EXHIBIT
The Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, Ohio
July 22, 1943

The second of the industrial series of displays of Cambridge-area manufactures, is attracting notable attention in the Chamber of Commerce window. The Cambridge Glass Company, whose patterns run into the tens of thousands in numbers, have selected some of their most interesting and brilliant patterns, and under the direction of H. A. Lovelady, advertising manager for the local company, have created a most interesting display.

The center of the large display is an animated metal platform which moves a coral-color ivy ball vase of intricate mold in wide gyrations that startled the viewers lest the beautiful piece fall from the table. Electric impulse, controlled by magnets, always holds the beautiful pattern from tipping off the platform. The pedestal comprises a nude figure, holding the ivy ball.

A crystal handmade candelabra, surrounded by prisms sparkles in the background center of the display. It is surrounded by gold-encrusted tableware designs which are etched by an acid process in 22-K gold applied and fired in a decorating kiln.

Officers and employees of the Glass Company are proud of the novelty pieces in etched and stemware, plates and table pieces in Rock Crystal. The table accessory pieces produced by the Cambridge Industry run into surprisingly large numbers of patterns, such as salt and pepper shakers, vinegar cruets and vases in sizes from miniature to 20 inches in height and in all colors and decorative patterns.

The Cambridge Glass Company employs more than 750 men and women, The Company was founded by the late Arthur J. Bennett in 1901 and has been in continuous operation since that date 42 years ago.

Wilbur L, Orme succeeded to the presidency of the company after the death of Mr. Bennett several years ago. G. Roy Boyd is vice president and treasurer. Will C. McCartney is secretary of the company and in charge of sales. Orrie J. Mosser is factory manager.

Thousands of products of the Glass Company are sold in all glass marts in the United States and Canada. Their products are nationally advertised in such popular magazines as Ladies Home Journal, House Beautiful, American Home, Better Homes and Gardens and in all the glass trade publications.

The Chamber of Commerce officials invite everyone in the Cambridge shopping radius, numbering more than eighty thousand persons, to view these industrial displays. It is expected that the varied manufactures of the Cambridge-area will surprise even long time and life-long residents of Cambridge, who may have taken the importance of our industries for granted.

GLASS WORKERS WILL WALK OUT
Cambridge Glass Co. Plant to be Riddled by Strike
Called for Tuesday Morning by AFGW Union
The Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, Ohio
September 1, 1950

The American pressed and blown glass industry was threatened today by a strike which would tie up all hand operated and combination plants.

The AFL American Flint Glass Workers Union called the walkout after wage negotiations broke down in Atlantic City. Plants normally are closed on Sunday and Labor Day so that the walkout would become effective Tuesday.

The strike would idle about 9,000 workers in Pennsylvania, Ohio. West Virginia and New Jersey. It would not effect machine operated plants.

The union asked a 10 cent hourly wage increase, an extra week of vacation and three to six paid holidays. The employers offered 7½ cents and the week of vacation.

In separate negotiations the machine plants gave the workers substantially what they are asking of the hand operated and combination plants.

Wilbur Orme, president of the Cambridge Glass Co. stated Saturday that the strike of the Flint Glass Workers Union would close down operations of the company Tuesday.

"We anticipate a strike Tuesday," Mr. Orme said, "as the workers at our plant will go along with the union decision. There is no movement to my knowledge to prevent the walkout."