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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
45
BUYING COPPER IN ADVANCE
TAKE ISSUE ON LUMBER RATES
ESTABLISHES DAILY AUTO DELIVERY
Output for First Half of 1917 Is Practically All
Sold at the Present Time
New England Lumber Dealers Protest at Pro-
posed Increase in Shipping Tariff
American Musical Supply Co. Helps Manufac-
turers to Get Their Supply of Tuning Pins
as Promptly as Possible
The copper trade estimates that nearly 95 per
cent, of the expected output in the first half
of 1917 has been sold in advance. Metal for
delivery in the first quarter of next year is
quoted around Z2 l / 2 cents a pound, and little
copper is said to be available for second quar-
ter delivery under 31 cents. These are unpre-
cedented records of sales and prices. In the
thirty days ended November 20 the price of
electrolytic copper for delivery ninety days
ahead rose 5 cents a pound, and the level from
which the upturn began was higher than the
metal sold in any other year.
The question, "Is the price apex close at
hand?" was discussed in copper circles last
week. The sharp rise of recent weeks was of
the sort to impress observers that no limit could
yet be set for prices, yet an examination of
production figures has made some statisticians
ponder the matter at length. The major re-
fining companies are working to increase ca-
pacity as rapidly as possible; the mines have
displayed fairly steady increases in output
month by month all this year. The brass
foundries have been reported busy, at capacity
—twenty-four hours a day—for six months, and
it is impossible to say whether they will be
able to increase their consumption of copper
materially within the next year.
In the opinion of copper men the price level
and the refinery output will be governed by the
progress of the war. As long as munition fac-
tories at home and abroad continue to absorb
the metal, producers say, there is no factor in
sight to offset this as an influence on prices.
In other words, the men who turn out the cop-
per do not expect any sizeable reduction in
prices while the demands of war business keep
up. A slackening of the war demand would,
it is said, mark down the present level for some
distance at least. It might, also, tend to curtail
operations at the mines.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
BOSTON, MASS., November 27.—The proposed
increase in freight rates on lumber shipments
over the Bangor and Aroostook, Maine Central,
Canadian Pacific and Canadian Government
roads would place New England and Canadian
shippers on equal competitive basis, according
to .testimony given to-day by Canadian ship-
pers favoring the increased rates at the hearing
before Wilber Laroe, of the Interstate Com-
merce Commission.
New England lumber dealers assert that the
proposed rates were high compared with those
in other sections of the country, and that the
result would be the closing of the New York
market to them and to some extent the Long
Island Sound markets.
Samuel H. Martin, representing the Eastern
Shook and Wooden Box Association, testified
that the advanced rates would drive the asso-
ciation's business from New York, which, he
said, was the best market in the country for
shooks and wooden boxes. Peyton B. Bennett,
a Canadian shipper, urged that the advanced
rates would enable his concern to do business
in southern New England, where, he said, it
has been unable to enter into competition.
GEORGE KLEINFELDER PASSES AWAY
Prominent Glue Manufacturer Dies at His
Home in Brooklyn
George Kleinfelder, a manufacturer of glue,
died on Wednesday in his home, 202 East Thir-
ty-first street, Flatbush. He was a brother-in-
law of Magistrate Alfred E. Steers, former Bor-
ough President of Brooklyn. Mr. Kleinfelder
was born in Brooklyn forty-two years ago. His
wife, Jessie Sutherland Kleinfelder, and a son
survive.
ENGLAND BUYS WOOL CLIP
A cablegram from the American Consul at
Auckland, New Zealand, contains the informa-
tion that the British Government has purchased
the entire New Zealand wool clip at an ad-
vance of 55 per cent, over 1913-1914 prices.
MATERIALS,
TOOLS AND
SUPPLIES
Frederick W. Hessmer, manager of the
American Musical Supply Co., recently an-
nounced that the concern had inaugurated a
daily automobile delivery to New York City
for the convenience of piano manufacturers
there. The truck leaves every morning from
the factory at 445 Communipaw avenue, Jersey
City, and makes its deliveries during the day to
the metropolitan piano manufacturers, who use
the tuning pins manufactured by this concern;
The concern is doing its utmost to supply the
enormous demand for tuning pins which exists
at present, and the factory is being worked to
capacity in order to keep up with the large
orders which are constantly being received.
HIGHER PRICES FOR^ PIANO FINISHES
Substantial Increases to Be in Force Next Year
. Is the Prospect, Declares C. Schick
C. Schick, manager of the 11. ['(.'bleu & I.ro.,
manufacturers of varnishes, stains and finis!-es
for pianos, recently stated in answer to a re-
quest for information in regards to price:
"While it is considered that present prices
are high, they are probably away below those
that will be in force next year, and especially
is this true as regards alcohol, shellac and all
materials for finishing."
H. Behlen & Bro. have in spite of the general
shortage of materials been able to fill the de-
mands of the trade, and while it has required
constant hustling and hard work the large vol-
ume of business has been sufficient reward.
PIANISSIMO DEVICE FOR GRANDS
WASHINGTON, D. C, November 28.—William A.
Schroeder, Everett, Wash., was last week
granted Patent No. 1,204,077 for a pianissimo
device for grand piano actions.
This invention has for its primary aim to
provide a mechanism of the above character
which will efficiently operate to perform the de-
sired functions, the same being adapted espe-
cially for grand pianos.
A further object resides in the novel con-
struction, arrangement and combination of parts
whereby lost motion is provided in obtaining
a soft tone.
PIN HOLES IN MAHOGANY VENEER
Many piano workers sometimes notice that
pin holes come through mahogany veneer after
the varnish coat has been rubbed, and this de-
spite reasonable care and the use of correct
methods in finishing. These pin holes, as a
rule, come from one or two causes, either be-
cause of dampness of the surface, which may
be due to a damp condition of the factory, or
it may be due to thinning the varnish with
turpentine or some other thinner which is not
thoroughly mixed. A properly mixed thinner,
and a reasonably dry factory should eliminate
the appearance of pin holes.
FOR
PIANO MANUFACTURERS
HINGES, BUTTS, CASTERS, PEDALS, FELTS,
CLOTHS, PUNCHINGS, SWINGS, HANGERS,
KNOBS, LOCKS, ETC., AND A FULL LINE OF
TOOLS USED IN TUNING, REGULATING AND
REPAIRING. CORRESPONDENCE INVITED.
Richardson Piano Case Co.
Manufacturers of
HAMMACHER, SCHLEMMER & CO.
Upright—
G rand—
Player—
NEW YORK SINCE 1848
Piano Cases
Established 1891
4th Avc. & 13th St.
LEOMINSTER
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MASS.