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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
67
SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE VENEER INDUSTRY.
Uncertainty as to the Figure of a Log Makes This Business Very Problematical—How Hoffman
Bros. Co-operate with Manufacturers in Securing the Best Results.
Veneer is one of those commodities that is al-
ways different. Of course, there are the usual ways
and methods of securing the log; of cutting it and
of selling it, but every log is different; every piece
of veneer is different and there is no way of know-
ing, when a log is purchased, whether the figure is
worth 4 crnts a foot or 35 cents. Veneer cutting
One of the Log Yards.
is a hazardous business—it is a gamble, and fre-
quently a man will pay a high price for a log only
to have the veneer turn out with a poor figure, and
occasionally the reverse happens; but the latter
occurs rarely.
So when a number of samples of excellent fig-
ured veneers are presented to the manufacturer,
selected by men who know that frequently the fig-
ure in the piano case either helps to make or
unmake a sale. In fact, Hoffman veneer has a
recognized reputation for quality.
In the accompanying photographs can be seen
the way Indiana white oak comes to the yards.
The logs are so big that they are handled by giant
traveling cranes. Several plants comprise the
physical facilities of the Hoffman Bros. Co. Photo
No. 2 showing a glimpse of the slicer room and
corner of the dryer of plant B. The other photo-
graph shows the exterior of plant A, which also
includes the offices.
Manufacturers are familiar with the interior of
the various veneer mill rooms, and it can be said
that the equipment and machinery of this company
is of the most efficient type, while the workmen
are all specialists in their respective fields.
In addition to furnishing piano lumber and
veneer, the Hoffman Bros. Co. makes a plan cf
giving manufacturers their advice on veneer prob-
lems, not only in the selection of the woods but in
its manufacture. There are an endless number of
the so-called "tricks" of the trade, and the mem-
bers of this corporation are always at the service
of those piano manufacturers wishing to secure
this co-operation.
CLOSED FINE MONTH'S BUSINESS.
Standard Felt Co.'s Totals for January Best in
History—David A. Smith Reports Progress
in New York State and Canada.
Slicer Room and Part of Dryer.
these are secured only after about a year's time
plus a gambling risk that almost has more elements
against success than for it.
In Fort Wayne is a concern that has been suc-
cessful since 1867. In 1904 it was incorporated
and the following are its officers: F. E. Hoffman,
president; H. B. Sale, vice-president and treasurer;
'The past month has been the best in the his-
tory of this division," said David A. Smith, East-
ern sales manager of the Standard Feit Co., Now
York, who recently returned from a two weeks'
trip through New York State and Canada. "Our
sales totals for January were far beyond our ex-
pectations, and exceeded by a good margin the
figures of our previous banner month. This busi-
ness has been closed, notwithstanding the advanced
prices of our felts, which went into effect Jan-
uary 1.
"h is gratifying to note that the greatest in-
crease in our business has been in connection with
our piano felts and piano hammers. From all in-
dications the piano industry is enjoying a period
of industrial activity which is stable and perma-
nent, not spasmodic.
"Conditions up-State are very satisfactory, and
upon my recent trip I arranged with a number of
new accounts to handle our piano felts, piano ham-
mers or other of our felt products Canadian
prospects are also encouraging, and we expect to
close considerable business witli the firms in that
country during the coming year."
And when you're satisfied
that we've the best punch-
ings on the market, cut
clean and accurately from
the best of material in cellu-
loid, c l o t h , felt, fibre,
leather, paper, rubber or
whatever you want, give
us credit and send your
orders to
CF. GOEPEL&CO
137
E A S T I3 T -* ST.
NEW
YORK
Thursday and Friday a good demand for P'ebruary
and March delivery was noted, with some sellers
reporting sales at near the top figures.
DEATH OF R E V ^ C . EGGLESTON.
Rev. A. C. Eggleston, of the New York East
Conference M. E. Church, aged eighty-three years,
passed away recently. He was the father of S. B.
Eggleston, head of the Matawan Steel & Iron Co.,
Matawan, N. J. The Rev. Mr. Eggleston had
preached for over fifty years and was loved and
respected by many people in Connecticut, Long
Island and New York City, and his passing is a
distinct loss to the community.
GOOD PRICES ON LONDON WOOL.
A dispatch from London, dated January 24, says
that the offerings at the wool auction sales amount-
ed to 8,280 bales. There was a strong demand and
prices were firm. New Zealand slipes sold at 2s.
4M.'d. and New South Wales and Queensland
greasy merinos at Is. lid. Lower grades showed
a hardening tendency. The home trade secured the
bulk of the offerings.
PURCHASES STEARNS=KNIGHT CAR.
David H. Schmidt, president of the D. IT.
Schmidt Co., Poughkeepsie, N. Y., has purchased
a forty-horsepower four-cylinder Stearns-Knight
motor car for business and pleasure trips.
The Hoffman Bros.' Plant.
W. J. Eckels, secretary. The Hoffman Bros. Co.,
the name of this veneer and hardwood lumber
house, devotes considerable energy and attention
to assisting piano manufacturers in securing good
veneer. Veneer that is submitted in this trade is
The Ohio Veneer Co.
CINCINNATI, O.
Importers a n d Manufacturers of
Figured Mahogany, Circassian Wal-
nut and Foreign Woods for high-
grade piano cases and cabinets.
New York OfRcm and Samplm Room
Grand Central Palace Building
Lexington Ave. and 46th St.
G. H. VAUGHAN, Eastern Representative
George H. Harper Co.
Orange, N. J.
COPPER STILL GOING UPWARD.
Uncertainty as to Amount of Metal in Reserve
Causes Increase in Price for Spot Metal.
Further advances in copper developed last week,
spot electrolytic being held at 26 cents, while near-
by metal was held at 25% cents. To a certain extent
these prices are nominal, as there has been no
buying of a nature to sustain them as basic mar-
ket values. However, the leading producers have
full control of the situation, and while these figures
may not have been paid on other than special lots,
there is little doubt entertained that users will be
forced to pay such prices when they finally decide
to cover March and April requirements. In the
early part of the week there was no demand for
either near-by or forward metal, but with the ab-
sence of any resale copper quotations of selling
agencies were maintained without difficulty. On
VENEERS
INVISIBLE
HINGES
Illustrated Catalog S
mailed on request
Circassian Walnut, Oak, Walnut
and Specializing on Mahogany.
Capacity—5 Million Feet