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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE MARKET FOR METALS.
Copper and Other Metals Continue to Show
Lowering Tendency in Price.
There has been a slow but steady decline in the
prices of metals for the past ten days. Early this
week electrolytic copper sold down to a new low
price of 17% cents a pound. There were a limited
number of sales at this price, although inquiries
were many. A week ago it was confidently ex-
pected that a new buying movement would be
started at 18 cents a pound. It is now predicted
that 17 cents will be the figure at which new busi-
ness of volume will eventually be placed.
Manufacturers, while needing copper for their
future requirements, still refuse to pay any guaran-
teed price, as they are unanimously of the opinion
that quotations will work lower if they remain
out of the market for a sufficient length of time.
That lead has reached its low level at AVs cents,
for the time being at least, is the belief held among
producers of that metal. A new inquiry has de-
veloped and is said to be chiefly for export. One
of the largest to appear during the week calls for
3,000 tons.
Lead has already dropped ; from a high price
range of 8 cents a pound to 4% cents without much
business being accomplished on the break.
In spelter consumers were still inclined to look
for lower prices, and offerings at 14 cents for
spot and 1-? cents for futures passed unheeded.
39
extracts, cleaned currants and package .dates, Pan-
ama hats, rice, hosiery, automobiles,..motor trucks,
and parts, confectionery, honey syrup, toilet and
medicinal preparations, pillow slips, scarfs an1
cigarettes.
SHRINKAGE IN PIANOS.
Answers to an Inquiry as to the Cause of Such
Shrinkage and the Remedy.
In reply to an inquiry regarding the cause of
shrinkage in pianos, a writer in Veneers says:
"There is no question but what the thorough dry-
ing of stock before it is taken to the finishing room
is a factor in this, but even after the pianos have
been in stock and eventually taken to the homes of
the purchasers there is some swelling and shrink-
ing of the wood with variations in the tempera-
ture and moisture conditions in the air. Usually,
however, the main shrinkage comes during the
cold, dry periods of winter. Some of the same'
shrinkage may come during the hot term of sum-
mer, provided there is very little rainfall or mojst-
ure in the air. If it is a wet season, however,
there is more likely to be swelling than shrinking.
The only absolute safeguard against a thing of
this kind is a warehouse or storeroom in which the
moisture and temperature can both be regulated
and by which regulating apparatus it is kept uni-
form, or nearly so."
Another writer says: "It would seem that the
only consistent answer would be that the piano
case w r as not thoroughly dry and the shrinkage
DRAWBACK PAYMENTS INCREASE.
was not all removed from the veneers before lay-
As the war progresses the Treasury Department ing. If this is not the correct solution of the diffi-
is being called upon by domestic manufacturers to culty, why would the approach of warm summer
weather have any effect upon the piano case?
pay a continually increasing amount of drawback
on imported raw materials used in the manufacture
"For overcoming this trouble we are using a
of exported goods. The demands for drawback balanced plate veneer redrier to dry and straighten
now being made indicate, according to customs all kinds of veneer, from the finest face stock to
officials, that manufacturers here are finding mar- our cross-banding and cores, and have ceased to
kets for their products which did not exist abroad worry about the season and weather conditions.
up to the outbreak of hostilities. While at present
We find that the machine enables us to use all
the largest sums are being paid by the Government
crotch mahogany and walnut that was formerly
to American automobile manufacturers on account
too crooked to use profitably, and that many others,
of war orders, other lines are making a strong
including manufacturers of pianos, have had the
showing. Last week's official list of drawbacks, for same experience."
instance, affected such export goods as flavoring
We're here to
do your bid-
ding and are
at your serv-
ice.
C.F. GOEPEL*Co
137 E A S T I3 T -* ST.
N E.W YORK
TONING DOWN CIRCASSIAN.
Means of Treating Grain of That Popular Wood
to Meet Present Demands.
Now that the trend of fashion is toward the more
quiet figure in veneer there is a tendency in some
quarters to look askance at Circassian that has a
strong contrasting figure. This striking effect may
be toned down very considerably, and the whole,
given a very distinctive appearance by the applica-
tion of a coat of light walnut stain. This can be
done without destroying the liner markings of the
veneer or darkening the color to any great extent.
The only parts that will be affected by the stain will
be the rtal light ones. These light parts should be
given a coat of the stain by themselves, and after
they are dry the whole surface should be stained.
1 his will even the whole surface up nicely and eli-
minate that striking effect without obliterating any
of the beauty.
SHOULD BE TRIED THREE TIMES.
A water stain should be used and may be made
Perhaps one reason some people have so much from any brown walnut powder or walnut crystals
trouble with panels and their veneer work going Af^er the stain is thoroughly dry the wood should
bad is that they fail to take into consideration that be sanded lightly with very fine paper before fill-
there are three dryings involved in the process of
ing. This method of treating Circassian with a
making th.se, says Veneers. One is the drying of
striking figure will prevent a great deal of waste,
lumber and veneer to start with; the second is the as it will enab'e one to use a lot of sap that is
drying of the g!ued-up work before it goes into the
now cut away. A little thought and a little care
finishing room, and the third is the drying of the on the part of the finisher will produce some very
finished stock after the varnish has been applied. tine work.
We concentrate quite a lot of attention on the first
drying of the lumber and veneer, and perhaps neg-
RARE COURTESY.
lect to give the consideration that is due the other
two points in the process. There should really be
"How do you like your new music master?"
just as careful drying of stock in the other two
"He is a very nice, polite young man. When I
stages as is given it previous to starting, and this
made
a mistake yesLerday he said: 'Pray, mademoi-
drying work requires more care, because one must
be careful of the temperature, so as to not spoil selle, why do you take so much pains to improve
the glue joint or the finish, yet in each case all the upon Beethoven?'"
moisture should be extracted from the wood if i-
is expected to behave right afterward.
G. W. Cochrane, who represents the W. W. Kim-
ball Co., of Chicago, at North Dakota, has opened
a new piano store at Bismarck, N. D.
INVISIBLE HINGES
The Ohio Veneer Co.
"OUT OF SIGHT
EVER IN MIND"
CINCINNATI, O.
New York OfRcm and Sample Room
When you fail
to see an un-
sightly hinjge
protruding
you know
SOSS is the
answer.
Grand Central Palace Building
Write to'day.
Importers a n d Manufacturers of
Figured Mahogany, Circassian Wal-
nut and Foreign Woods for high-
grade piano cases and cabinets.
Lexington Ave. and 46th St.
G. H. VAUGHAN, Eastern Representative
SOSS
4 3 5 Atlantic Ave.
BROOKLYN, N. Y.