Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/369

Despite the constantly increasing production the glass works are not in a position to accept orders for early delivery.

New concerns have been organized with large modern plants. Four establishments have been completed and the latest machinery is being installed. These, with 60 additional enterprises, are expected to increase the normal pre-war capacity by 50 per cent.

The present production in the Czechoslovak glass industry can be estimated from the quantities of coal needed in the industry and the number of tons actually allotted to it. In the month of March, 1920, the entire coal demand of the glass industry was 154,418 metric tons and the allotment was 81,138 tons. During May the coal situation has improved to such an extent that production has increased considerably.

Hollow and cut glass branches are operating to about 60 percent of their normal capacity. Before the war these products in the Austro-Hungarian Empire reached a total value of 137,500,000 crowns, of which 120,000,000 crowns were manufactured by the factories situated in the territories now comprising the Czechoslovak Republic. Plate glass works are attaining 75 percent of their pre-war capacity. Bottle factories, of which there are seventeen, are engaged to about 35 percent of their normal output, it being limited by the shortage of coal, soda, potash and other raw materials.

In addition to the factories there are about 3,500 independent finishing works. Industry occupies an important position in Gablonz, employing about 50,000 people, among which are many home workers. Until a few months ago Gablonz exported goods valued at about 90,000,000 crowns per month. Owing to the fall in the foreign exchange, and also to the increase in the export duty, augmented some months ago from 1 to 5 percent, this industry experienced a setback. After protracted negotiations the Gablonz factories have succeeded in obtaining the cancellation of the advance. As regards the other branches of the industry, the 5 percent export duty has been modified as follows:-Hollow glass now pay 1 percent and high-class painted and cut glass 2 percent. This reduction became operative on July 1, but no refunds are being made on account of the higher rates paid already.

In the past wood was greatly needed in the production of glass, and for this reason the oldest factories were located near forests, but with the increase in the price of wood, and owing to the discovery of factory production with the use of chemicals, soda, potash and glauber salt, the factories have been gradually giving way to those using coal exclusively.

While soda and potash are manufactured in the country, great quantities must be imported from Austria and Germany. About 1,000 metric tons of potash, it is said, would cover the needs of the glass industry for one year, and domestic production thereafter would be sufficient; 50 tons of saltpeter, 1,000 tons of glauber salt, 20 tons of boric acid, 100 kilogrammes of selenium and 20 kilogrammes of gold must be imported monthly for the industry; 2,000 kilogrammes of nickel and about the same quantity of cobalt are the annual requirements.