Standardization
In 1933, the makers of fruit jars and packer jars
tried to reach some sort of agreement over what is a fruit jar and what is a
packer jar. A copy of the following
document, without original signatures, can be found in Alexander M. Bracken’s papers
at
It is not known if the
agreement was signed, or, if it was, how longer it lasted. Obviously, the fruit jar makers wanted the
packer makers to stop making jars that could be used as home canning jars.
Copy of Agreement Signed by Manufacturers of
Packers’ Jars
It is agreed by and between
the undersigned, manufacturers of Fruit Jars for Domestic use and/or or Screw
Top Jars for Packers’ use, that through the action of the Standardization
Committee of the Glass Containers Association, or in some other proper and
effective way, the finish of the two classes of Jars shall be made distinct as
to each class.
To avoid confusion and
misunderstanding between Screw Thread Packers’ Jars and Screw Thread Domestic
Jars, the former shall not be made with the domestic (G) thread that fits the
standard Mason (G) Cap; and shall not be made with a sealing shoulder or rubber
seat that will seal with the standard Mason Cap; and Jars with the domestic (G)
thread shall not be sold for packing purposes.
This distinctive finish shall be made effective by all manufacturers of
Packers’ Jars at the earliest practicable date.
Ball Brothers Company J. T. & A. Hamilton Co.
F. C. Ball, Pres. J. W. Hamilton, Pres.
Owens-Illinois Glass Company Capstan Glass Co.
William E. Levis, Pres G. F. Reiman, Pres.
Hazel-Atlas Glass Company Whitall Tatum Company
Walter H. McClure, Vice-Pres. H. V. Brumley, Sec’y
Hart Glass Mfg. Company Buck Glass Company
F. H. May, Treas. R. A. Blunt, Vice-Pres.
Knox Glass Bottle Co. Maryland Glass Corp.
R. R. Underwood, Sec’y J. S. Heuisler, Asst. Treas.
Foster-Forbes Glass Co. Swindell Bros. Inc.
W. C. Forbes, Sec’y W. B. Swindell, Sec’y
Pennsylvania Bottle Co. Carr-Lowry Glass Co.
R. R. Underwood, Sec’y George F. Lang, Vice-Pres.
Oil City Glass Bottle Co. Olean Glass Company
R. R. Underwood E. W. Dugan
Marienville Glass Co. American Glass Work, Inc.
R. R. Underwood, Pres. W. J. Ready, Vice-Pres.
Wightman Bottle & Glass Mfg. Co. F. E. Reed Glass Company
R. R. Underwood, Pres. Fred E. Reed, Treas.
Knox Glass Bottle
Company Of
R. R. Underwood
Brockway Glass Company Pierce Glass Company
G. A. Mengle H. C. Herger, Sec.
Glenshaw Glass Co., Inc. Gayner Glass Works
S. B. Meyer, Treas. John M. Gayner, Treas.
Latchford Glass Co. Sterling Glass Company
W. J. Latchford G. E. Terwillinger, Mgr.
Laurens Glass Works A. M. Kerr & Company
E. D. Easterby, Pres. C. H. Hubbard, Vice-Pres.
Written
by Richard H. Cole, Jr.
© 2003 Minnetrista Cultural
Center
First Published in the
February 2003 Glass Chatter